Transform old china and tiles into a gorgeous DIY mosaic masterpiece!

If you have a free weekend, creating a mosaic shelf will fill you with delight. You can apply the mosaic technique to birdbaths, mirror frames, or wooden shelves. In this video tutorial, you'll learn how to use really basic tools (hammer, pliers) to chop up old tiles and dishes and create the mosaic of your dreams, complete with grout and sealer! As always, “Anything I Can Do" host Mag Ruffman makes the mistakes so you don't have to.

GEAR/TOOLS:
Browse Mag’s toolkit faves: https://kit.co/magruffman/toolgirl-kit

TIMESTAMPS:
00:00 Introduction
00:34 Break up tiles and old plates using a hammer, pliers, and a glass cutting tool
02:50 Soften the edges of your shards with pliers
03:35 Start by cutting lots of pieces up so you have a large working pile of shards
04:12 Reflection on exuberance
04:31 Make a quick plywood shelf so you have a base on which to do your mosaic work
05:07 "I excel at geometry." - this is a statement loaded with irony, because although I'm okay with geometry now, I got 11/100 on my Grade 10 geometry exam because I believed there was no possible application for geometry in the life that stretched out before me. WRONG!
05:58 Start laying out your shards on the plywood shelf
06:27 Affix your shards to the plywood base using 'thinset' mortar (or epoxy)
07:26 Mix up your thinset mortar (wearing rubber gloves) to the 'stiff peak' stage
08:53 Apply a little mortar to each piece, adjusting the thickness of the bed for each piece so you achieve a fairly even surface
10:21 Use spacers when you're working on a vertical surface to keep the shards from sliding downward
12:22 Reflection on lowering your expectations to avoid irritation
12:38 How to work with epoxy instead of thinset
12:59 Mix up the sanded or unsanded grout to the right consistency
14:46 Apply the grout all over the surface using a rubber float, pressing it into the channels between the pieces
16:19 Reflection on never finding a resting point in life
16:39 Use a wet tiling sponge to remove excess grout as soon as you're finished grouting - otherwise the mortar will dry on the tile surface and you'll never get it off, and by never, I mean NEVER
17:51 Give the whole piece a final wipe down
18:21 How to mount hanging hardware on your shelf, and seal the whole piece so it lasts a long time
19:20 Inspiration from fellow makers
20:26 Reflection on not getting ahead of yourself

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