Mosaic Keychain Holder - Tutorial

I am super excited to receive this awesome Mosaic Coaster kit from Artful Mosaic Supplies as part of the Totally Tutorials Exchange Program.
Artful Mosaic Supplies is one stop shop for all your Mosaic supplies, so do visit Artful Mosaic Supplies and check out her amazing range of MDF bases, vintage glass tiles and other knick knacks.



Mosaic is such intriguing and exquisite craft, where bits and pieces of glass can inspire you to create vivid designs, I was so inspired by this Mosaic Kit that I could not stop myself at one project idea, so after much brainstorming I decided to make three different projects with this kit.



For my first project I decided to make Mosaic keychain Holder, I really needed one, as every time I step out, I always have to hunt down my keys. Mosaic Key chain holder idea was both functional and elegant, so I decided to give it a shot. Here goes my first tutorial :)

Supplies you need


• Mosaic Coaster kit from Artful Mosaic Supplies
• Wood Plaque for Base(9x12)
• Decoupage Glue (Mod Podge)
• Distress Inks and Distress Crackle Paint(Vintage photo)
• Music Sheets
• Flat White Spray Paint and Primer
• Crystal Clear Varnish
• Polymer Clay Tiles(click here to make your ownPolyClay tiles)
• Antique Copper Coins
• Rub n Buff wax polish (Antique Gold)
• Craft Adhesives such as Elmer’s White Glue,Weldbond glue and Epoxy
• Sponge Brush
• Latex Gloves for grouting
• Pair of Wall Hooks

Lets start with Coasters

• Seal coasters with any good white glue. Add 5 parts water to 1 part glue and brush one coat onto your coasters. Decoupage glue can also be used.



• Mask and Seal your Polymer Clay tiles OR any waterproof object to embellish your coasters with packing or masking tape.



• Lay your tiles out on the coasters before attaching them adhesive. Once you come up with design for your mosaic, glue individual tile one at time using heavy duty craft adhesive (I used Weldbond glue).Make sure there is no space more than 1/4" among your tiles. Otherwise grout can develop cracks.



• Once all the pieces are attached to the coasters, set them aside and let the glue cure for several days before grouting.



• Mix grout according to package instructions. I mixed grout powder with water until it reached creamy but thick consistency.(like peanut butter)




• Apply grout liberally using a craft stick or rubber Spatula and spread out grout evenly over the mosaic tiles and with the help of foam piece work the grout under the edges of tiles. Wear gloves to push grout into crevice. Make sure you protect your work surface and clothes as grouting can be little messy.





(Tip use a piece pool noodle)




• Let the grout set for 10 minutes at most and wipe off any excess grout with barely damp sponge or rag, being careful not to wipe away the grout in the crevices.Gently remove any remaining residue from the tiles themselves. Let your grout dry thoroughly for several days before sealing.






• Wipe sealant with brush or soft rag over the grout. Wipe off any excess and polish the tile as you go, and let it dry.




• Remove masking tape from polymer clay tile.







• Clean and polish your coasters. You can paint the sides of your coasters (I applied little Rub n Buff on the sides)




Now move on to the Base


• Spray paint primer and one coat of flat white, let it dry completely.







• Apply crackle paint and let it dry overnight, distress edges with distress ink to show off cracks and seal it with a coat of varnish.





• Distress music sheets to give them worn out look and tear into strips and ink edges once more.





• Decoupage music sheet randomly over the prepared base and let it set for few days.



• I could not find any wall hooks of my choice, so I used what I had; I spray painted the wall hooks in flat black and highlighted them with Rub n Bluff.






• Drill holes and attach the wall hook onto the prepared base.



• Stamp out white sculpey clay,neatly trim edges with Exacto knife.



Bake clay in oven by following package instructions



Paint it black and apply little Rub n Buff and glue polymer clay appliqué onto the hook




• Attach Mosaic Coasters onto the prepared base with epoxy glue.



• Glue His/Her copper coins and you are done :)




So as you can see mosaic technique is really easy all you need is right supplies and little patience. This was my first attempt at glass mosaic and so far it was really easy and fun project, so if I can do it anyone can do it.






Now I have a dilemma whether to hang this Mosaic Keychain Holder on wall or Place it on my foyer table???? Any suggestions???







That’s all for now,

Have a Creative Day,

Shahana.

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How To Make Polymer Clay Mosaic Tiles And Repurpose Empty Morton Salt Can - Tutorial

Remember this cutie from your pantry. I absolutely love these cans. They are so well made and can last forever.





I love to recycle and April 22nd is an Earth Day, so in honor of Earth day, I decided to make a multipurpose container from an empty Morton salt can.






All you need is
Empty Morton salt can

Polymer Clay ( I used Original Sculpey in White, as it is way cheaper and since i am going to make thick sheets for mosaic tiles so they are not going to break easily but for other projects i like to use Sculpey Premo)

 Rubber Stamps

Black Spray Paint

Dimensional Paint

Aleene’s Tacky Glue

Exacto Knife or Utility Blade

 Silver Rub n Bluff.

SO here we go

1. Remove the label from the can and with Exacto knife remove the top part of can.



2. Roll out your polymer clay, I use pasta machine but rolling pin or acrylic rod works fine too





3. lay down your clay on flat work surface and stamp it with rubber stamp,
(TIP: - if you think your clay is sticky, sprinkle some cornstarch)



4. Cut the desired shape with cookie cutter or Exacto Knife






5. Bake it in oven, follow the manufacturer’s instructions.




6. Once tiles are cooled, Spray paint and set it aside until dry.









7. Apply Rub n Bluff to see the magic, this is most fun part. This will highlight the stamping. (You can also use acrylic paints, artist’s pastel mica powder, alcohol inks etc possibilities are endless.)



I used Distress Ink on these tiles :) I love this effect


8. Glue tiles to the can with super glue.


9. Fill in the gaps with dimensional paint.





10. Varnish and you are done :) its really easy.




Decorate and display :)




I made similar can with polymer clay and Morton Salt can, sometime back, I use this one as pen holder, and here I tried basket weave technique with wood blend Polymer clay cane.



Another view






Hope you all will like this project and try your hands at polymer clay mosaic tile making, Do let me know if you have any questions.


Have a Creative Day,

Shahana.

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