| Art-Paper Mosaic Serving Tray |
From "DIY Crafts"
episode DIC-215 |
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Materials (figure A): Smooth wooden surface for project -- serving tray
Various colored art paper (or construction paper), cut into small (about 1") triangle- and diamond-shaped pieces
Artist brush
Scissors
Cream-colored latex craft paint
Polyurethane
Decoupage glue
Antiquing medium
Soft cloth or cheesecloth
Fine-grit sandpaper and tack cloth
Straightedge ruler
Craft tweezers
Pencil
Gum eraser Note: Throughout history artisans have been creating extremely complex mosaics using everything from semiprecious stones and precious metals to found objects such as broken pottery and bottle caps. You can use scraps of art paper and glue to create the rich look of mosaics without all the mess. The other great thing about paper mosaics is that by using paper instead of the more traditional tile and stone, you can create a super-smooth surface for items such as serving trays and floor cloths. - Prepare the surface by sanding lightly and wiping down with a tack cloth.
- Paint with a couple of coats of cream-colored latex paint. Let dry completely.
- With a straightedge ruler and a pencil, lightly mark off a border inside the serving tray, leaving a large inset area to create the mosaic.
- Brush the inset in small sections with the decoupage glue and begin to lay out the paper mosaic pieces onto the glue, leaving a 1/4" border between the pieces. This border is what creates the "grout" lines. Be sure to vary the colors and shades of the pieces as you go along to add visual interest. Continue in this fashion until the entire inset area is covered. You can use the scissors to trim some of the pieces to fit better into your mosaic, but make sure to leave the edges of the entire design somewhat uneven so that the final project will look more realistic. You can use a gum eraser to remove any visible pencil lines.
Note: Stapley recommends using craft tweezers (figure B) to place the small squares of paper onto the tray. - Use the decoupage glue to brush over the entire surface of the mosaic. Let that coat dry and then use a piece of cheesecloth or a soft cloth to rub antiquing medium over the entire surface of the tray. Some of the antiquing medium will settle into the cracks between the mosaic pieces. This effect makes the "grout" lines look more realistic. Let dry completely.
- Apply 2 or 3 coats of the decoupage glue over the surface of the mosaic and let them dry completely.
- Cover the entire surface of the serving tray with 2 coats of polyurethane to seal and protect the surface.
Note: There are some art papers that look marbled. These papers look really nice, but there are many varieties of art papers available, so just use your imagination. You can also use heavyweight construction paper, available at art stores. Available by the sheet, the construction paper you can purchase at an art store tends to come in cooler colors and is made from a heavier card stock, which results in a more realistic-looking mosaic. Products: All items can be found at art, craft or hardware stores nationwide.
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
Glass Tiles, Tile Nippers and Grout (Mosaic Mercantile)
Mosaic Mercantile
Website: www.mosaicmercantile.com
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