How to Make a Mosaic Hot Plate

A mosaic project can be as complicated or as simple as you want it to be.

A mosaic is a design made by inlaying pieces of different-colored material to form pictures or patterns. A mosaic can be a large complex work of art or a simple craft for a child to complete. If you've never made a mosaic, it's best to start with a small project, such as a hot plate. Small, heat-proof pieces, including tiles, stones, glass or broken pieces of old china or pottery, can be arranged in an attractive design and laid on a larger tile to make a hot plate.

Things You'll Need

• Newspaper
• Rubber gloves
• Different-colored heat-proof tiles, stones or glass pieces
• Clean, 10-inch square tile
• Small flat-edged scraper
• Tile adhesive
• Cotton swabs
• Face mask
• Sanded tile mortar
• Plastic tub
• Small grout float
• Rubber spatula
• Sponge
• Tile sealer
• Spray bottle with water

Instructions

1. 

   Almost any materials of different shapes, sizes or composition can be used to make a mosaic.

   Prepare the work surface by spreading newspaper. Using adhesive and mortar can be messy. Wear gloves to protect your hands from the adhesive and mortar. Rubber gloves will also provide some protection when using pieces with rough edges.

2. Create your design with the tiles before mixing and applying the mortar. It will be more difficult to move the tiles once the tile adhesive is applied, so creating the design ahead can save time and effort. Place the tiles approximately 1/8 inch apart when creating your design. If they are placed too far apart, the mortar can crack. If the tiles are placed too close together, the mortar won't create sufficient bonding between the tiles, which will weaken the adhesion to the underlying tile.

3. Use the scraper to apply a small amount of adhesive to the back of each tile, and place the tile on the base tile, according to your design. Gently wiggle each tile to firmly set it in the adhesive. Use a cotton swab to clean out any adhesive that escapes from under the tiles. The spaces between the tiles need to be clear for the grout. Continue this until your created design is replicated. Allow the adhesive to dry 12 to 24 hours to completely set.

4. Mix the mortar in the plastic tub, according to the package instructions, using the rubber spatula.

5. Use the grout float to spread the mortar over the tiles, being sure the mortar fills the spaces between the tiles. A grout float, available at hardware stores, looks like a trowel or scraper with a rubber bottom. If you don't have a small grout float, use a rubber spatula.

6. Remove excess grout from the surface of the tiles, using the edge of the grout float or spatula. When finished, there will still be a haze of grout on the surface of the tiles. Wait approximately 90 minutes, and use a damp sponge to clean the grout haze from the surface of your design, working carefully not to remove too much grout from between the tiles.

7. Apply sealer to the surface of your design. This will make the hot plate easy to clean and will prevent spills from seeping into the grout and discoloring the mosaic surface.

Tips & Warnings

• Expect to spend a couple of days to make a mosaic to allow for drying time.

• You can use any variety of pieces for your mosaic, but the pieces should be the same thickness so the hot plate has a smooth, even surface.

• A piece of cardboard can be used in place of a tile float to spread mortar.

• Mortar can be purchased in different colors and textures, which should be considered when creating your design.

• Sanded grout is less likely to crack, especially when creating small projects and when placing tiles 1/8 inch apart.

• Prevent the grout from drying out by using the spray bottle to lightly mist with water. Don't allow the grout to get too wet.

• Wear gloves when using broken pieces of china or pottery as the pieces can be sharp.

• Wear a face mask while mixing the mortar to prevent breathing in the mortar dust. Some mortar contains silica, which, when inhaled, can damage your lungs. An alternative is to use premixed mortar.

References

• Merriam-Webster. com: Mosaic
• Crafter's Touch: Mosaic Votive Holder
• Mosaic Art Supply mosaic tile: Frequently Asked Mosaic Questions
• Happycraftn's Mosaic Supplies: Mosaic Helps; A few instructions for working with tiles and supplies.
• Kids Crafts & Recipes: Craft Jr.: Thanksgiving Mosaic Platter Project
• Woman's Day: Timely Trivet

Resources

• Plaid: The Ancient Craft of Mosaic