Sometime during the fourth trip to Michaels craft store, I began to have doubts that this project was a good idea. But having sunk so much time and money into it, there was no turning back.
It all started when a Ballard Designs catalog arrived in the mail. On the front was a gorgeous mosaic urn. It was $260. I really wanted that urn, but it was way out of my budget. I've done mosaics before, so I could – I thought – make one for much less than that.
I started with a trip to Home Depot to buy a resin urn. I bought one that was 18 inches tall. I should have started much smaller. Then I picked up some Liquid Nails to glue the tiles onto the urn. I should have bought the more expensive tile adhesive at Michaels because it dries clear and bonds quickly. I also bought some 2-inch tiles, thinking they would cover more surface so I wouldn't need as many. They were too large to fit flat against the curved surface of the urn. The lesson I learned is the more curved the surface, the smaller the tiles need to be.
The next stop was Rainbow Glass, 4556 Auburn Blvd., Sacramento; (916) 483-3843, to pick up some stained-glass scraps to mix in with the tiles. I should have bought more. Not only were they a great price at $2.50 a pound, but they looked beautiful when the project was done.
This project wasn't difficult, but it took a lot of patience, was very messy and turned out to be far more expensive than I anticipated. I suggest starting much smaller. By the time I finished, that $260 was beginning to look like a bargain.
Notes: I found the adhesive and assorted mosaic tiles at Michaels Arts and Crafts. You can also find them at tile stores or order them through Mosaic Art Supply, www.mosaicartsupply.com.
Call the Bee's Gwen Schoen, (916) 321-1146.
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