Fun in the Sun Mosaic

By: Jeanne Baruth for Diamond Tech

Let the sun shine with this Fun in the Sun Mosaic from Diamond Tech! These simple mosaic patterns are great to do with the whole family...and can be used as decor inside or to add some color and festivity to your outdoor gardens! Use this pattern or alter it slightly to create something special and unique!

Materials:

1each - 5 oz. packages Jennifer’s™ Stained Glass Chips: Black, Pink, Green, Blue, Yellow, Orange, White, Iridized White, Dark Blue
1 pkg - Jennifer’s Mosaics™ Variety Gems .50: 9 Dark Blue, 1 Black
1/2 oz. pkg – Fuseworks™ Millifiori
Jennifer’s™ Mosaics Outdoor Cement
12” Square Stepping Stone Mold
1 lb White Grout
E6000® Glue or Clear Silicone
Mixing Bowl and Spoon
Paper Towels and Newspaper
Wheeled Glass Nippers
Sponge or Scrubby
Carbon Paper & Pencil
Pattern

PROJECT TIP:
• One 5 oz bag of stained glass chips is approximately 50 pieces. This will cover a 6” x 6” area with a 1/8” grout line.
• If choosing to grout without gloves, use a vinegar wash to restore the PH to your hands to prevent your skin from drying out.

Instructions:

To protect work area, cover with newspaper.
Mix the Outdoor Cement following the directions on the label. Wear a dust mask while mixing.
Pour cement slowly and evenly into mold; gently tap sides of mold to release any air bubbles in cement.
Do not move mold while the cement is drying. Wait approximately 24 hours (time may vary due to climate) for cement to harden. The cement will warm as it hardens.
Once it has cooled and set, remove the stone by turning mold over and lifting up the edges of the mold. (MOSAIC SHORTCUT: Use a premade stepping stone from you local hardware or garden center)
Determine the center of the stepping stone by using a ruler and a pencil. Draw a diagonal line connecting the corners, where they meet is the center. Align the center of the pattern with the center of your stone. Place carbon paper between the pattern and the stone, tape to hold in place. Trace the pattern onto the stepping stone and remove pattern and carbon paper.
Use the picture as a guide and nip and arrange glass on the entire surface of the stone, leaving approximately 1/8” gap between pieces and at the outer edge. Nip glass pieces with a Wheeled Glass Nipper to fit inside pattern outline.
Once you have achieved your desired look, lift each piece and apply a thin layer of glue to the back. Firmly press pieces onto the stone. Allow glue to dry according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
To grout the stepping stone, measure 1 cup of grout into a plastic bowl, reserve a few tablespoons of grout and set aside. Adding 1 tablespoon of water at a time to remaining grout, mix with craft stick until the grout reaches “fudge-like” consistency. If it is too watery, add the reserved dry grout in small amounts until the consistency is correct.
Wearing a disposable glove spread the grout onto the surface of the stepping stone and into all the spaces between the glass and tile. Wait about 15 minutes for grout to set.
Gently wipe away the excess grout using a paper towel taking care not to pull grout out of tile spaces. It is very important to remove any grout from the tile surface before grout is completely dry.
Use a soft cloth to buff the tiles to a clean shine.
Allow 24 hours for the mosaic piece to dry.