Tag Archives: Glass

gifts, glass on glass art, handmade, mosaic tile

The HeArt of Handmade Gifts

10/29/2013 Tile Gypsy 1 Comment

The manner of giving is worth more than the gift. – Pierre Corneille

Start with a sturdy picture frame, any size, with a glass insert. This one is from Ikea.

Clean the glass and then glue the glass into the frame. Let it dry.

Then … Carefully smear Weldbond adhesive on the back of your bits and pieces.

You have some working time to move them around.

*You can use E6000 adhesive in a well ventilated area ... just don't get it on your fingers. E6000 is not recommended when working with children.

… SMEAR being the operative word … and it should dry clear in a day or two.

Sometimes not … if you don’t smear.

Puddles of Weldbond usually won’t dry clear. Kapeesh?

Let it dry for a day or two.

You can grout the piece, if you want to.

Since this one sits in the window … I prefer not to.

Because then it looks like this …

and the beat goes on … peace!

DIY: Chalkboard Picture Frames (decorbehindthedoor.wordpress.com)
Gift Tags for Handmade Items (dawnmcvey.typepad.com)
Happy Times With Handmade Cards (g45papers.typepad.com)

crash glass, glass on glass art, Glue

The Best Glue for Glass

09/02/2013 Tile Gypsy 1 Comment

This glorious vintage window was found in Orange, California. Cleaned up the window with vinegar and water, did not sand the frame and double checked that the window was sturdy enough to hold the weight of the ton o’glass I would need to complete the piece.

After playing with adhesives for glass, clear e6000 adhesive is my go-to … unfortunately it’s a toxic adhesive with an overwhelming odor so windows need to be open with no kids and/or pets present.

Since most of the box stores, hardware stores, Michael’s, Target and Walmart carry clear e6000 adhesive it’s pretty easy to find.

All the pieces fell into place quite nicely, it’s a keeper.

On to the next thing …

cool art, crafts, green, green products, hobbies, mosaic tile, recycled art, recycled crafts, repurposed crafts, Upcycled

Salvaging Memories

08/28/2013 Tile Gypsy Leave a comment

When someone shows up with broken remains of a precious family heirloom, it’s always the same tearful look.

Peggy broke a very unique clay candle holder that her mother (who had since passed) had given her as a gift so … using a very cool wrought iron table, we cut a piece of concrete backer board for the bottom shelf … that way you can see the finished piece through the glass top and keep it safe from any further damage.

We arranged all of the clay children (as they were on the original piece) in the center and glued the rest of the broken pieces around them. Added a gold veined glass tile for the border and let it dry overnight.

Used a charcoal grout to finish it off, after the mastic dried.

Tears of joy all around!

Doesn’t get much better than this!