{"id":25195,"date":"2018-08-22T21:45:11","date_gmt":"2018-08-22T20:45:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pinkoddy.co.uk\/?p=25195"},"modified":"2018-08-23T09:48:35","modified_gmt":"2018-08-23T08:48:35","slug":"mosaics-craft","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/pinkoddy.co.uk\/blog\/2018\/08\/22\/mosaics-craft\/","title":{"rendered":"Mosaics Craft"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><strong>This is an endorsed partnered post.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>What I really love about home education is the ability to focus on things that will help the boys in their life &#8211; rather than things they will just memorise and either forget or never use. Being able to do things yourself is not only good for your self-esteem but also can save you a lot of money. An example of this is most definitely when my husband <a href=\"https:\/\/pinkoddy.co.uk\/2016\/04\/27\/diy-bathroom-redesign-on-a-budget\/\">redesigned our bathroom<\/a>, and has since used some of those skills again when restyling our kitchen. I thought that being creative with mosaics would be a really good introduction to the skills of planning and tiling.<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-21870\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/pinkoddy.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/diy-bathroom-on-a-budget.jpg?resize=800%2C600\" alt=\"Bathroom on a Budget\" width=\"800\" height=\"600\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/pinkoddy.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/diy-bathroom-on-a-budget.jpg?w=800&amp;ssl=1 800w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/pinkoddy.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/diy-bathroom-on-a-budget.jpg?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/pinkoddy.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/diy-bathroom-on-a-budget.jpg?resize=768%2C576&amp;ssl=1 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" \/><\/p>\n<h3><u>20mm Glass Mosaics Standard Pack<\/u><\/h3>\n<p>The 20mm <a href=\"https:\/\/www.homecrafts.co.uk\/20mm-glass-mosaics-standard-pack\" rel=\"nofollow\" >Glass Mosaics<\/a> Standard Pack from Home Crafts seemed like a great kit to begin with. It contains an all-important instruction booklet (there is nothing I hate more when trying to teach the boys a new skill than there being nothing to explain the method!); 670 20mm Venetian mosaic tiles (and the suggestion of other things you can use such as shells from the beach &#8211; which I thought was a really nice idea), 1 kg tile cement (and an explanation of different types of adhesive and what they are good for in terms of mosaic tiles and surfaces); 1 kg grouting mix, Pincers, Sponge (to clean off the grout), Squeegee, Palette knife, Gloves, Tweezers, Gloves, Apron and Goggles. Other items of use which are not included are a waffle board and a bucket (for mixing the grout). Of course you also need something to decorate with your tiles.<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-25197\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/pinkoddy.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/home-crafts-20mm-Glass-Mosaics-Standard-Pack.jpg?resize=800%2C600\" alt=\"20mm Glass Mosaics Standard Pack\" width=\"800\" height=\"600\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/pinkoddy.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/home-crafts-20mm-Glass-Mosaics-Standard-Pack.jpg?w=800&amp;ssl=1 800w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/pinkoddy.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/home-crafts-20mm-Glass-Mosaics-Standard-Pack.jpg?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/pinkoddy.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/home-crafts-20mm-Glass-Mosaics-Standard-Pack.jpg?resize=768%2C576&amp;ssl=1 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" \/><\/p>\n<h2><u>Our First attempt at a Mosaics Craft<\/u><\/h2>\n<p>As it was our first attempt at mosaics I didn\u2019t really fancy doing anything extravagant like a wall so instead we went for a little wooden tray that we could store bits in (or even the equipment for further mosaic projects, we haven\u2019t yet decided).<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-25198\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/pinkoddy.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/tray-for-base-of-mosaics.jpg?resize=800%2C600\" alt=\"tray for base of mosaics\" width=\"800\" height=\"600\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/pinkoddy.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/tray-for-base-of-mosaics.jpg?w=800&amp;ssl=1 800w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/pinkoddy.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/tray-for-base-of-mosaics.jpg?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/pinkoddy.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/tray-for-base-of-mosaics.jpg?resize=768%2C576&amp;ssl=1 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" \/><\/p>\n<p><strong>Step 1:<\/strong> Think about the materials you want to use &#8211; that is the colours and shapes too. The booklet explains all about the types of tiles and how you can add sea shells, stones, pebbles, glass nuggets or millifiore.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Step 2:<\/strong> Get together everything you will need for your mosaic &#8211; including all the tools and tiles.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Step 3:<\/strong> Decided on the method you will use. We opted for the direct method as it was described as the simplest one, ideal for beginners.<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-25231\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/pinkoddy.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/starting-mosaic-pattern.jpg?resize=800%2C605\" alt=\"starting mosaic pattern\" width=\"800\" height=\"605\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/pinkoddy.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/starting-mosaic-pattern.jpg?w=800&amp;ssl=1 800w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/pinkoddy.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/starting-mosaic-pattern.jpg?resize=300%2C227&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/pinkoddy.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/starting-mosaic-pattern.jpg?resize=768%2C581&amp;ssl=1 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" \/><\/p>\n<p><strong>Step 4:<\/strong> Design your mosaic. Draw it out mapping out the colours and shapes on paper before using a soft pencil or crayon to draw the outline of the design onto the base of where you will tile. We found that we knew our tiles weren&#8217;t going to fit properly but decided to see if them being overlapped would work.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Step 5:<\/strong> If you wish to break the tiles into smaller pieces using the nippers then ensure that you are wearing protection (gloves\/goggles\/mask) and use the tweezers to position them on your design. We struggled to get them to cut as we wanted so figure this is going to take more practise.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Step 6:<\/strong> Place the tiles on to the base leaving a gap between them. When happy move the pieces to one side.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Step 7:<\/strong>\u00a0 Apply the adhesive evenly but not too much or it will squeeze through the tiles.<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-25232\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/pinkoddy.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/adding-tiles-to-mosaic-pattern.jpg?resize=800%2C450\" alt=\"adding tiles to mosaic pattern\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/pinkoddy.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/adding-tiles-to-mosaic-pattern.jpg?w=800&amp;ssl=1 800w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/pinkoddy.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/adding-tiles-to-mosaic-pattern.jpg?resize=300%2C169&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/pinkoddy.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/adding-tiles-to-mosaic-pattern.jpg?resize=768%2C432&amp;ssl=1 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" \/><\/p>\n<p><strong>Step 8:<\/strong> Press the tiles firmly and evenly into the adhesive. We discovered that we had actually originally placed the tiles on upside-down and had to start again &#8211; so make sure you know about your tiles.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Step 9:<\/strong> Let the adhesive dry completely according to the manufacturer\u2019s instructions. We then had to remove the backing paper with warm water and some tiles fell off and needed reapplying &#8211; this is apparently not unusual.<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-25229\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/pinkoddy.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/mosaic-remove-brown-paper.jpg?resize=800%2C580\" alt=\"Mosaics Craft removing backing paper\" width=\"800\" height=\"580\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/pinkoddy.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/mosaic-remove-brown-paper.jpg?w=800&amp;ssl=1 800w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/pinkoddy.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/mosaic-remove-brown-paper.jpg?resize=300%2C218&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/pinkoddy.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/mosaic-remove-brown-paper.jpg?resize=768%2C557&amp;ssl=1 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" \/><\/p>\n<p><strong>Step 10:<\/strong>\u00a0 Wearing gloves mix and apply the grout with the palette knife; pushing it into the gaps between the tiles. Once the design is completely covered in grout then use a damp sponge and clean cold water to wipe away the excess. The sponge needs to be continuously rinsed but also well squeezed as too much water will ruin the grout.<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-25227\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/pinkoddy.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/groated-mosaic.jpg?resize=800%2C529\" alt=\"grouted mosaic tiles\" width=\"800\" height=\"529\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/pinkoddy.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/groated-mosaic.jpg?w=800&amp;ssl=1 800w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/pinkoddy.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/groated-mosaic.jpg?resize=300%2C198&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/pinkoddy.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/groated-mosaic.jpg?resize=768%2C508&amp;ssl=1 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" \/><\/p>\n<p><strong>Step 11:<\/strong> Leave the grout to dry completely &#8211; for at least 24 hours.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Step 12:<\/strong> Remove excess grout with a clean sponge and warm water.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-25230\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/pinkoddy.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/finished-mosaic.jpg?resize=800%2C642\" alt=\"mosaic square craft\" width=\"800\" height=\"642\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/pinkoddy.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/finished-mosaic.jpg?w=800&amp;ssl=1 800w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/pinkoddy.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/finished-mosaic.jpg?resize=300%2C241&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/pinkoddy.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/finished-mosaic.jpg?resize=768%2C616&amp;ssl=1 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" \/><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>This is an endorsed partnered post. What I really love about home education is the ability to focus on things that will help the boys in their life &#8211; rather than things they will just memorise and either forget or never use. Being able to do things yourself is not only good for your self-esteem &#8230; <a title=\"Mosaics Craft\" class=\"read-more\" href=\"https:\/\/pinkoddy.co.uk\/blog\/2018\/08\/22\/mosaics-craft\/\" aria-label=\"Read more about Mosaics Craft\">Read more<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":25230,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_uag_custom_page_level_css":"","_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1895,4331],"tags":[4386,4391],"aioseo_notices":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/pinkoddy.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/finished-mosaic.jpg?fit=800%2C642&ssl=1","uagb_featured_image_src":{"full":["https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/pinkoddy.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/finished-mosaic.jpg?fit=800%2C642&ssl=1",800,642,false],"thumbnail":["https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/pinkoddy.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/finished-mosaic.jpg?resize=150%2C150&ssl=1",150,150,true],"medium":["https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/pinkoddy.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/finished-mosaic.jpg?fit=300%2C241&ssl=1",300,241,true],"medium_large":["https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/pinkoddy.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/finished-mosaic.jpg?fit=768%2C616&ssl=1",768,616,true],"large":["https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/pinkoddy.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/finished-mosaic.jpg?fit=800%2C642&ssl=1",800,642,true],"1536x1536":["https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/pinkoddy.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/finished-mosaic.jpg?fit=800%2C642&ssl=1",800,642,true],"2048x2048":["https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/pinkoddy.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/finished-mosaic.jpg?fit=800%2C642&ssl=1",800,642,true]},"uagb_author_info":{"display_name":"pinkoddy","author_link":"https:\/\/pinkoddy.co.uk\/blog\/author\/pinkoddy\/"},"uagb_comment_info":0,"uagb_excerpt":"This is an endorsed partnered post. What I really love about home education is the ability to focus on things that will help the boys in their life &#8211; rather than things they will just memorise and either forget or never use. Being able to do things yourself is not only good for your self-esteem&hellip;","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/pepM9j-6yn","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[],"amp_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/pinkoddy.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/25195"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/pinkoddy.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/pinkoddy.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pinkoddy.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pinkoddy.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=25195"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/pinkoddy.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/25195\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pinkoddy.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/25230"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/pinkoddy.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=25195"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pinkoddy.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=25195"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pinkoddy.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=25195"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}