Here it is with everything glued on, ready to grout:
And here it is grouted:
She likes it. Yay!
The Process: Its easy, just takes time. Lots of time. I find it very restful, fitting the pieces together. I used the wheeled nippers that I got in my class mostly, to cut the dishes. Then I tumbled the shards in a little rock tumbler with water and a drop of dish soap. The pretty white glass tiles were at HD for $5 /sheet. I cut some of those in advance and tumbled them too. Anything that I cut to fit as I went, I filed the sharp edge. Glued everything down with Weldbond (for inside or covered porch objects only - it is water based.) Then grouted with sanded grout. I wish I had lightened up the grey just a tad. But generally I like it. I also really wanted a 6 sided shade in white, but I couldn't find one (only cream), so I settled on this 8 sided one.
Thanks for looking.
Kathy
Very nice! I'm working on a mosiac bowling ball for my yard. I'd love to take a class. I've watched some youtube videos, but none that I saw covered how to break/cut things like dishes (I'm using blue willow). Does the tumbling dull the edges? Now that I'm grouting, I've found some really sharp edges. Is sanded grout better than unsanded or is it just personal preference? I hope my bowling ball turns out as well as your lamp!
ReplyDeleteShe's going to luv it! Very pretty. Thanks for the instructions. One of these days I'll get around to doing a mosaic.
ReplyDeleteIt's on the list....
Stephanie, you can take a dremel sanding tool to the sharp edges even after you grout if you want to. Sanded grout should be used if the gaps between the pieces are larger than (I think) 1/4 inch.
ReplyDeleteTumbling does dull the edges. I tumble mine for 15 minutes. Before I had a tumbler filled a cool whip (or same sized) container about 2/3 full, covered with water and added a drop of detergent. You can shake it (side to side) while you are watching tv, during the commercials. I know most people don't bother, but I find it much better to not have sharp edges.
Have fun. I'm eager to see your bowling ball.
Kathy
Well shoot! I can't find my Dremel and my tumbler needs a new drive shaft gasket, but thank goodness I've got some Cool Whip containers! I'm thinking of this bowling ball as a trial piece, because I really don't know what I'm doing. Of course I used the unsanded grout, and I know I've got some larger than 1/4 inch spaces. I used E6000 to glue on all the pieces, and they sort of slid around a bit before the glue set up. I'm going to use a tile adhesive for the next one (I have two more balls in the garage just for this purpose). Thanks for your help. I'll be posting pictures when I get this thing done~:0)
ReplyDeleteThat looks so beautiful as you have lights on it !!!!!!
ReplyDeleteGreetings from Finland :)