If you want to know how to make a tile mosaic, it’s about time to try this DIY with me and TaraDara.
When something breaks, I either want to fix it, or make it into something else. My artist soul likes the repurpose solution more than than the practical engineer brain of fixing.
TaraDara and I spent a fun half-hour making tile mosaics live on blab’s DIY con, sharing tips to tiling, and she showed off some of her amazing mosaic creations. A superbly talented artist and craftspeson, TaraDara is a pleasure and a source of inspiration.
This project was the perfect opportunity to create wall art out of my broken gold Buddha. I had saved all of the pieces, wanting to make a mosaic with them, and I’m enjoying the result. After I did the more traditional tiling of Buddha pieces and broken tile, I layered more Buddha pieces on top to create a more dramatic 3D, and so Buddha’s hand is simultaneously trying it rub its own belly and give his other hand a hi-5.
About TaraDara. TaraDara is aka Tara Rex. She’s a DIY woman who will take on any project even if it looks intimidating and writes about it on her blog, Taradara Made It. Her motto is “It always works out.” If she can’t do the whole job, she will find someone who can. This hockey mom is constantly on the go, investing her time during the day with her boys and DIYing into the wee hours of the night. She is a recurring guest on National Sewing Circle and writes articles for various magazines. She blogs for Bob Vila and has appeared on Rachael Ray. Painting, building, sewing, drawing, mural painting, and pottery are a few of Tara’s tricks. You NEED to follow her on Instagram as she posts before, during, and after pictures of amazing projects. You’ll be left inspired to go DIY something!
Supplies for this tile mosaic wall art:
Tile or plates (broken or can be broken)
Board, MDF, a Pot, something to mosaic
Tile Adhesive
Grout
Gloves
Putty knife
Sponges (2)
Containers (3)
Wire
Adhesive
How Make the Mosaic:
- Arrange the broken tiles in to somewhat of a picture
- Spread the tile adhesive on the board and simply arrange the tiles OR you can ‘butter’ each tile and place them on the board. Let set to dry.
- Mix the grout according to the instructions on the packaging.
- Take your 2 other containers and fill them with water. One will be for your ‘dirty’ sponge and water, the other will be for your ‘clean’ sponge and water.
- You start by taking the more than damp sponge, but not dripping wet sponge, and dragging it over to take the excess grout off of the tiles. Rinse.
- Use the ‘clean’ sponge and go over, you will notice that it’ll leave less of the white residue from the grout on the tiles. Rinse in the clean water and squeeze into the dirty water.
- Let completely dry over night.
- Finish it off!
