How to Make Photo Mosaic Table Tiles

Set your photos in tile.

Making your own mosaic tiles is simple if you have the right tools and equipment. Decorate the tiles with beads, bits of glass or even photos. Print the photos no larger than 2-inches square to fit over most mosaic tiles. You can also cut faces or small images from large photos to fit onto the tiles. Decorate a table top or any flat surface with the mosaic tiles to create a personalized scene.

Things You'll Need

• Polymer clay
• Pasta machine
• Wax paper
• Clay cutters
• Cookie sheet
• Tin foil
• Oven
• Photos
• Decoupage glue
• Paint sponge
• Table adhesive

Instructions

1. Soften a walnut size section of polymer clay by kneading with your hands. Flatten the clay with the palm of your hand.

2. Set the pasta machine on the thickest setting. Roll the flattened clay through the machine to create a uniform sheet.

3. Place the sheet of clay onto a sheet of wax paper on a flat work surface. Cut sections of the clay sheet to make mosaic tiles. Mosaic tiles can be any shape and are generally less than 2-inches wide or have less than a 2-inch circumference. Clay or cookie cutters will work to cut the tiles. Check the sizes of the photos to make sure that they fit on the tiles.

4. Place the mosaic tiles onto a cookie sheet covered with tin foil. Bake the tiles in the oven according to the manufacturer's directions. Let the tiles cool.

5. Spread a small amount of decoupage glue onto the face of the mosaic tile with a paint sponge. Press the photo into the glue. Smooth the glue over the surface of the photo. Decoupage glue spreads on white, but dries clear.

6. Allow the decoupage glue to dry completely. Apply another coat of decoupage glue over the photo tiles. Let it dry.

7. Attach the mosaic tiles to an indoor table top with mosaic tile glue. Attach the mosaic photo tiles to an exterior table top with a thin layer of thinset.

Tips & Warnings

• Make your own decoupage type glue by mixing 50 percent white craft glue with 50 percent water.

References

• Sculpey: Working with Polymer Clay

Resources

• The Artful Crafter: How to Decoupage