Tag Archives: handmade gifts

The HeART of Handmade Gifts II

It takes more time to come up with a mosaic tile design than it does to glue it down.

Problem is the materials (go through your junk drawers and jewelry boxes) change as you go along … some pieces make the cut … others will not. This is not the time to get discouraged.

If I’m on a roll and the pieces are falling into place … it takes me about an hour to glue a single light switch cover.

If I’m not on a roll … I’ve already started gluing something else.

Gluing at Alice's - all rights reserved © 2013 Mara Lee
Gluing at Alice’s – all rights reserved © 2013 Mara Lee

The gypsy quote is a pendant that I’ve had since high school … and it went from there.

all rights reserved © 2013 Mara Lee
Deep with Dreams – all rights reserved © 2013 Mara Lee

added a little iridescent tile and a purple glass heart …

Gypsy Soul - all rights reserved Mara Lee
Deep with Dreams – all rights reserved Mara Lee

Going to glue ball and chain to the outer edge, after the grout dries.

Maybe you should too.

All you need is …

  • Heavy plastic light switch cover 69¢
  • Family Mementoes, Vintage China and Treasures that are lurking in drawers, cupboards and closets
  • Buy some fun #tiles and glass shapes
  • Weldbond or E6000 Adhesive
  • Tile Nipper and Safety Glasses
Advertisement

The HeArt of Handmade Gifts

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.

glass on glass

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.

glass-mosaic

Because then it looks like this …

glass-on-glass

and the beat goes on … peace!