| Mosaic Garden Ball |
From "DIY Crafts"
episode DIC-216 |
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Project designed by Connie Sheerin. Materials: Recycled bowling ball -- available for free from most bowling alleys
Wood filler
Safety glasses
Tiles (flat-backed marbles, tile nippers, tile adhesives, white sanded grout)
Mixed shaped and colored tiles and plain mirror tiles
Apple Barrel acrylic paints -- a palette of your choice
Outdoor grout sealer
Rubber mallet
Newspaper
Latex gloves
Craft sticks
Disposable containers
Sponge brush
Cosmetic or small pieces cello sponge
Painter's tape
Old towel
Soft cloth
Hard-bristle brush - Obtain a used bowling ball from your nearest bowling alley.
- Clean the surface with soap and water and fill the holes with wood putty (figure A). Allow it to dry overnight.
- Set the ball on a bunched towel to keep it from rolling.
- To do a pattern on the ball, tape off the ball into sections with narrow painter's tape (figure B).
- Lay out all of the various mosaic pieces and begin gluing pieces or working colors as you go (figure C). If using broken china, be sure to break it with a rubber mallet while it's between newspaper sheets and then nip it down into smaller pieces.
- Cover the entire ball with mosaic pieces. Let adhesive dry.
- Mix grout to a fudgy consistency in a disposable container. Put on latex gloves and begin smearing on the grout, packing it in every available space.
- Allow the grout to set for 15 to 20 minutes.
- Use a dry cloth to wipe away most of the excess grout. Then, using a hard-bristle brush or an old toothbrush, remove the rest of the grout.
- Wait another 15 minutes and then wipe away any film still left on the tiles. Polish the pieces with a soft cloth.
- Choose your palette of colors to dye your dried grout. Use one part acrylic paint to three parts water.
- Dip a small piece of cello or cosmetic sponge into the diluted color. Squeeze out excess color to prevent drips, and dab the sponge onto the grout (figure D ) where you would like the color. Chose about six colors that coordinate with one another and blend well, overlapping each other. Allow to dry overnight.
- Using a sponge brush, cover the ball with three coats of outdoor grout sealer.
Tip: Place the ball on a very special pedestal in your garden -- and remember to bring it inside when the weather turns cold to avoid cracking. Products: Various shaped and colored tiles are available from a Crafts ala Cart representative. All other products -- excluding the bowling ball -- are found at retail art and craft stores.
RESOURCES :
Making Mosaics: Designs, Techniques & Projects
Model: 0806948728
Author: Leslie Dierks
(February, 1998)
Sterling Publishing Co. Inc.
Website: www.sterlingpub.com
Classic Mosaic: Designs & Projects Inspired by 6,000 Years of Mosaic Art
Model: 1570761590
Author: Elaine M. Goodwin
(February, 2000)
Trafalgar Square Publishing Co.
Website: www.trafalgarsquarebooks.com
Mosaics in an Afternoon
Model: 0806958030
Author: Connie Sheerin and Mickey Baskett
(August, 2000)
Sterling Publishing Co. Inc.
Website: www.sterlingpub.com
Mosaics: Inspirational Ideas and Practical Projects (The Weekend Crafter Series)
Model: 1579900038
Author: Martin Cheek
(February, 1998)
Lark Books / Altamont Press
Website: www.larkbooks.com
Mosaics: Inspiration and Original Projects for Interiors and Exteriors
Model: 1561583731
Author: Kaffe Fassett and Candace Bahouth
(October, 1999)
The Taunton Press Inc.
Website: www.taunton.com
Outdoor Mosaic
Model: 1570761965
Author: Emma Biggs and Tessa Hunkin
(October, 2001)
Trafalgar Square Publishing Co.
Website: www.trafalgarsquarebooks.com
The Mosaic Idea Book
Model: 1581800959
Author: Rosalind Wates
(September, 2000)
F & W Publications Inc. (North Light and Betterway Books, Story Press, Popular Woodworking Books)
Website: www.fwpublications.com
Making Bits & Pieces Mosaics: Creative Projects for Home and Garden
Model: 1580173071
Author: Marlene Hurley Marshall
(August, 2000)
Storey Books / Storey Communications Inc.
Website: www.storey.com
Make-It-Mosaics Craft Products and Apple Barrel Paint (Plaid Enterprises)
Plaid Enterprises Inc.
Website: www.plaidonline.com
GUESTS :
Connie Sheerin
Author
PO 246
Landsdowne, PA 19050
Phone: 484-431-4457
E-mail: concraft@aol.com
Website: www.mosaicmania.com
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