Shabby Style Collaged Mosaic Key Hook

I have combined my love for mosaics with my found passion of creating collage art into this mosaic key hook.  I experimented with this technique a long time ago and will now share it with you.  If you have any questions, please feel free to email me.  I also have some supplies available for purchase on my website, but feel free to alter this to your own color and design choices.

~Anita~

SUPPLY LIST:

Wood doorframe corner (accent wood pieces - home improvement store)

Rose inspired collage papers

Victorian scrap roses

Glue stick

1/4-1/2 in. square stained glass tiles- clear iridescent

Random cut stained glass tiles - green

Broken china floral pattern mosaic tiles

GE Silicone 2 CLEAR window & door sealant

White sanded grout (dry)

Rubber gloves

Old plastic container and spoon for mixing grout

Handy wipes or sponge and paper towels

White craft paint

Paint brush

3 white cup hooks

Flat toothed picture hanger

 

 

PROCESS:

Cut a base for the collage from rose inspired background paper keeping in mind the size by area that will be covered with the square stained glass.  With the glue stick, layer on victorian scrap roses and other rose designs.  Set aside.

 

On the wood piece, spread a thin layer of the sealant to cover ONLY the area where your collage will be placed.   Taking your collage roses, place it on the sealant pressing down.  Then take more sealant and place a thin layer over your collage.  Be sure to cover all of it as this will seal it in. 

 

Now, take the clear stained glass tiles and press them over your collaged roses leaving a very small space in between each tile.  Try not to have sealant "seep" up between the tiles.  If it does, then wipe excess away.

 

Take broken china mosaic pieces and stained glass tiles and with a dab of sealant on the back to secure, place them over the rest of the base.  Set aside to dry overnight before grouting.

 

In the plastic bowl, mix a small amount of the sanded grout with enough water until it is the consistency of mashed potatoes (not watery and not too stiff).

Using rubber gloves cover the mosaic with grout, pressing it into the seams.  Wipe excess away.  Let it set (dry) for about 15 min. or so.

Taking a handy wipe (or sponge), use water and wipe the excess grout off the mosaic.  Attempt to get as much as possible off the tiles.  Then, take paper towels and buff up the tiles to a shine.  Let dry.

 

Using white craft paint, paint the rest of the wood piece.  Let dry.  Add cup hooks on the bottom and hanger to the back.

 See image at top for completed piece!

TIPS:

This technique can work on any wood base.  Look around your home improvement store for odd shaped pieces and door and window trims.  Make sure your piece is thick enough to accept the cup hooks.

The collage design will be broken up by the mosaic so keep in mind that simple designs work better than intricate ones. 

Any sealant that "rises" above the tiles will not be covered in grout, therefore, wipe excess away.

When using grout, do not rinse the unused portion down the drain.  Discard.  This could clog up your pipes. Also, if the rinse water is getting cloudy and filled with grout, discard.

I have found that using handy wipe towels work better than a sponge for cleaning up grout on the piece.  Cheap paper towels are the best for "shining" up the tiles. 

You can alter the mosaic using glass gems and other 3-D items.  Have fun experimenting!

 

ZNE extends its gratitude to Fondante Member Anita Richardson for providing this wonderful workshop for us!  You can find Anita's listings on eBay under the id artandanita.  She also has a website - www.ArtandAnita.com.

Watch out for Anita on an episode of HGTV's That's Clever which will air this fall!