| One of the most popular applications of mosaic | | | | The only tesserae that are not recommended |
| tile is with a flower pot or vase. These finished | | | | would be ceramic tiles. These are very water |
| pieces make great gifts and look terrific no | | | | absorbent. If you place your pot outside then the |
| matter what you put on them. Creating a mosaic | | | | ceramic tiles will absorb moisture. When it freezes |
| pot is a little different than doing a piece that will | | | | your tiles could pop and you will lose your glaze |
| hang on a wall. | | | | on the surface. Glass tiles are really the best |
| Prepping your surface is extremely important. If | | | | option since they can be used indoors and |
| you are using a terra cotta pot then you have to | | | | outdoors. |
| seal it on the inside, outside, bottom, and top. This | | | | So now that you have your surface prepped, the |
| is very important since terra cotta is very water | | | | correct adhesive, and great tiles, you need to |
| absorbent. Use a mixture of 1 part Weldbond and | | | | start breaking them and adhering these to the |
| 5 parts water. Brush this on every surface of the | | | | pot. You will need to use small pieces when going |
| pot and allow to dry. This will create a layer | | | | around the curves of the pot or vase. The larger |
| between the water from a potted plant and your | | | | pieces will not lay flat and you will have a |
| mosaic tiles. If you are using a glass vase then | | | | dangerous work of art when you finish with |
| there is no prep needed. However, you may want | | | | jutting points that will cut anyone that touches it. |
| to brush undiluted Weldbond onto the surface to | | | | Use wheeled cutters to break the tiles down to |
| give it some texture for your tiles to adhere. | | | | workable pieces of ¾" or less. Don't use too |
| Using the proper adhesive is important too. For | | | | much glue. A little goes a long way. You can lay |
| any pot or vase, you can use Liquid Nails for | | | | your pot in your lap and work one section at a |
| Small Projects. This adhesive is very tacky so | | | | time. Let the first area set up for a few minutes |
| you don't have to deal with your tiles sliding down | | | | before rotating to a new area. |
| your pot while you work. It is also great for a | | | | Once you have gotten all of your pieces onto |
| piece that will sit outdoors as it is not water | | | | your pot, you will need to let it set overnight to |
| soluble. The only problem is that this particular | | | | dry. Now grout this as you would any other piece. |
| Liquid Nails is a putty color. If you are putting | | | | It is sometimes easier to turn the pot upside |
| transparent tiles on a glass vase then this product | | | | down and grout from the bottom up. This is |
| won't work. You will have to use silicone adhesive | | | | especially true with angled sides of a terra cotta |
| instead. This is fine for outdoors too but harder to | | | | pot. After the grout has cured for at least 48 |
| work with because it tends to get stringy when | | | | hours, seal it well. Your beautiful pot is ready to |
| using it. | | | | set out on your patio for years and years. |