Outdoor Mosaic
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- Опубликовано: 4 сен 2024
- I undertook a big project this summer to make an outdoor mosaic in our garden. It was a learning experience and I wanted to share it with the world as I made some mistakes and some things didn't work and hopefully this is will help if you are planning to do this yourself. I wanted to make this a super helpful instructional video but it is hard to film this stuff! And so there aren't many instructions in the vid but in a nutshell:
1. Clean your base (where the mosaic will go)
2. Smash your plates etc
3. Plan or arrange your design, leave small gaps in between each piece
4. Mix the mortar (in small batches as it dries out), use a knife to spread a thin layer on each piece and press down
5. Leave for 48hrs to dry
6. Mix your grout, spread over the mosaic, getting it into all the gaps
7. Wipe off excess grout, and leave to dry for 48hrs
Take appropriate safety precautions eg, wear gloves and goggles etc
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Thanks for the honest video. One cool thing about putting tile down with thinset is that you when you mix just a little bit of sin set up at a time then put a little bit of thin-set on each of the pieces as you put them down. When you do it like that then you can put more or less under each piece of tile in order to make the Surface more even.
Great job. Keep practicing and it will get to be more fun all the time.
Great tip!
one more thing... i love how your project turned out!
I absolutely love your honesty and the ability to laugh at yourself! Great video. Great mosaic!
I so appreciate your honesty! I'm getting ready to start an outdoor tabletop and I will keep your tips in mind.
I am so impressed that you had courage to show all the mistakes made. I learned more from this video than videos of crafts done perfectly & precisely . Thank you for sharing.
These was the most REAL craft video I think I’ve ever seen! Learning to do something new it’s so important to know EVERYTHING, what went wrong and what went right. I got so many tips watching your video that I am confident now to start my outdoor surfboard project!!
One question though, did you seal it at the end? Thanks!!!
Nope, no sealing. Mostly because I'd really run out of motivation for the project by that point!
You can make your mosaic in a shaded place and bring it outdoors later. Make your mosaic on a mesh, stick all the pieces on it, then bring the completed work out to your garden. You can then use an outdoor adhesive to attach it to the allotted space, and then do the grouting. By the way, I think your colors look great!
chi loza Do you put the mesh onto something when you are applying the mortar and pieces?
Love this video! Thank you for being so honest and sharing what "not to do". I'm so proud of you for taking on such a big job!
Your mortar may not have worked because of how you mixed it. Also if your cement was not clean that could have been an issue. As far as the grout was concerned you should have just completely covered each area that you were working on and then wiped the grout off of the top of the tiles. With the different textures you can use your fingers or a tool to sculpt around the uneven surfaces to expose the tops. And then if you have grout in between your tiles that looks very messy you can again use your fingers or a damp cloth to smooth those areas of grout. I did my bathroom backsplash and used seashells and glass gems. It took me awhile to figure out the best way to do it. For that project I ended up using a plastic bag with the end cut off to use it like a Piping Bag. There was a lot of smoothing and sculpting.
I'm going to be using broken plates like you used 4 my kitchen backsplash so actually that should be easier. It's hard to find tutorials though on using materials that are different heights and thicknesses. It's really just trial and error I think.
But it was a good first attempt. Oh and another thing that I heard about doing outdoor application is before you put anything down on the cement you should have put a sealer over the cement. And then put a grout sealer over the top which you can still do at any time.
I suggest using thinset when gluing your plates to your outdoor surface. I am using Mapei Ultra Color FA to grout my gazing ball to after gluing my stained glass with thinset. I usually make mosaics for indoor but thought I would try to make a gazing ball. I have always used Polymer Sanded Grout but it is not strong enough for the outside. So I'm trying Mapei grout which will dry harder. I love your humor and I chuckled a bit but you kept it honest and told the pros and cons about it. I hope you don't quit trying. Try a smaller project next time.
just watched this with my wife on her phone. i was so inspired i had to log onto my laptop and leave a comment and a like. i wished i could leave a love it.
i absolutely loved this woman`s tenacity and honesty. the fact that she even left a cup handle gives her mosaic great character.
maybe i can throw in a couple of tips. using sand and cement to bond cement to a metal surface ( ie, man hole cover/drain cover) is`nt the best substrate. from what i have been reading grout appears to come in variations. some are adhesive grout suitable for the all in one purpose. others are purely a grout for the purpose of filling gaps. in effect you could use a layer of grab adhesive to stick your tiles and finish with a grout to fill the gaps. although more expensive, epoxy grout is your best bet
Thanks. I'm not planning another one though, but maybe it'll help others.
I think it is great. I love the colors and textures. I sooo appreciate your video since i often just go for it too and make lots of mistakes while learning. 🌝🌝🌝
Thanks! It's been a while since I made it and I've really grown to like it. Nature has slightly reclaimed it though!
What a lovely addition to your garden. I've only just found your video as I plan to attempt covering an old metal coffee table for our courtyard. Thank you for keeping your experience honest and sharing what worked and didn't work, as I've picked up a few extra good tips before I start.
Go for it!
❤ Beautiful, thank you for sharing; I want to do my front cement porch in a colorful pebblestone mosaic....
Thanks 🙂
Thank you for your honesty. I'm about to try my first experience with doing this to lots of cinderblocks. I am grateful for your experience.
Have fun!
Very useful, thanks. I do enjoy learning from other peoples mistakes !!
I think it turned out awesome, I love the colors .
hello, i enjoyed your video. i have done mosaics on concrete board or backer board. I used Mastic for adhesive then pour grout in a zip lock bag and squeeze in between pieces. then clean the project using a large tile sponge and clean water as often as possible, for the best result.... and wear gloves
Yes. All good advice! I really hate wearing gloves 😅
That was super helpful! I had the same issue with a mosaic on a concrete stepping stone square. I used thinset Instead of mortar and have never grouted the project. Now I want to do another bigger outdoor project but instead of using scrap stain glass & ceramic, I think I want uniform squares. Not sure though. I plan to do on cement backer board too.
If I do another outdoor project like this I'll bear that in mind!
Canis, this information might be useful to you, especially because you want uniform squares. If you value your time and the main purpose to to have long lasting artwork outdoors, have your design digitally printed on porcelain tile. Several companies can do this for you. You would receive the tiles ready to install. Cement backer board and thinset will make installation easy. Custom printed tiles can be fade resistant and frost resistant. custom-tiles.com/outdoor-public-art/
Hello! I recently saw your video. I had a lot of fun watching it. I applaud you for engaging in such project. Right when you layed down the pieces of the dishes, I knew you were walking right strait to problem. The prep of the glue or cement is very important. Maybe by now you are an expert. The other thing that would help is, that even thought it's an abstract you should always try to do a sketch of your idea. This will keep you track. From there you can add things to your idea or eliminate, because it's your creation. Love the work.😂
Thanks, I don't really think I had any issues with the design. But yes probably needed to prep the surface more.
I would use pva first to prime the surface.
Thank you very much.
After you had finished sticking your pottery with mortar, you should have covered it with a thick plastic sheet, some cardboard on top of that, to deflect the sun and slow down the drying out process. How did the grout stand up to our first winter??
The mosiac held up quite well. Although some bits did come loose.
You did a beautiful job but am a little concerned how the pipe or sewer is going to be reached if needed, now you have sealed it over...just saying 😊
They would just have to crack it open! Hopefully it wont come to that!
How is it holding up now?
It's a bit battered! But still there.
Yeah, not bad. Definitely a bit bashed! Honestly don't go into the garden that much to inspect it and right now everything has a light dusting of snow!
Yes it would be a shame
Sounds like you didn’t enjoy it! What a shame