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The blue item is a small (approx 6" round) vase and the glass
piece is a globe from a ceiling light fixture. I used these pieces
1. Because they were already in my stash of "stuff"
2. They fit together just right.
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This is my "Mosaic Stuff" container. Pieces of colored clay were
baked flat and then some were cut into small pieces and put in a
pill saver container.
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Bits and pieces of cured clay cut into pieces to put on base piece.
You can use small scissors to cut the clay as it is very thin and
pliable. The tweezers are a huge help for picking up and placing
pieces on the clay.
I've also discovered that a large nail clipper is an excellent tool for
cutting the clay 'chips' too.
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Black Premo clay has been applied to the entire base and
pressed firmly to make sure there are no air bubbles (that doesn't
meant there won't be air bubbles but one can always hope).
I've started to apply pieces and start the design. I have no plan
except the one I see in my head so I'm making it up as I go along.
Palm trees are ALWAYS in my head ...lol!
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Well, since I didn't "Plan Ahead" . . .
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Okay, I need to make more colors for my project so this would
probably be a good time to share how I make the clay "flat" ...
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Using the colors I want, I run the clay through the pasta machine
on the #4 setting until it is well conditioned and then lay the pieces
as follows...
-Cover the bottom of your baking tray with ceramic tiles
-Lay a piece of plain paper on top of those tiles
-Place your raw clay on top of the paper
-Lay another piece of paper over the raw clay
-Add another layer of ceramic tiles over the paper.
Note ... you do not have to use tiles but you do need to use a flat surface on
which to lay the clay and you will need something flat and a little weighty to
put on top of the clay. The paper IS necessary if you don't want to end up with
shiny mosaic pieces. If you DO want your pieces to be shiny, just don't use
the paper!
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It will look something like this. Of course YOUR tiles will be much
cleaner but, either way, you will now have your clay sandwiched
between paper so the clay won't be shiny and since there are
ceramic tiles on top and bottom the clay will be nice and flat like
you want it to be.
Put in the oven for 30 minutes at 275 degrees Fahrenheit.
Remove from oven and do NOT remove the ceramic tiles until they
are cool.
After they are cooled you can cut them into any sized pieces you
like or leave them as they are and cut them as you need them.
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Okay, now that there are more colors to work with . . .
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Two pixs of vase -
Sanding pix
Applied finish pix
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Continue to cut the pieces and push then into the clay until you
have the desired pattern.
I use a roller to embed the clay pieces as I go along but it is a
good idea to look over the whole piece to make sure the mosaic
pieces are nicely embedded in the clay.
Cure (bake) the base in a 275 degree oven for 30 minutes. Cool.
At this point you may choose to sand it or not. I have chosen to
sand it for a more even surface.
Because it is a mosaic and some of the pieces may fall off I have
applied a coat of "Minwax Water- Based Polycrylic Protective
Sealer" in a gloss finish.
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CANDLE THINGY
PIX
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These are battery operated candles that flicker (about 1" round).
These are put in the base and used if the globe is turned "hole
down". You could use real tea candles or votive candles if you
turn the globe over so that the hole is at the top and you can
insert the candle inside.
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IF you want to turn this into a vase ... turn the globe upside down,
put some water and flowers in it and you got yourself a pretty
vase!OR - a coll lite Beta fish bowl!
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There are so many things
you can do with this. Use
any parts and pieces you
have on hand or can find in
a thrift shop/garage sale. It
doesn't have to be a mosaic
design either. You can do
any design or style you
choose. Decorate the base
with filigree, skinner blend,
a scene - Southwestern
base with cactus and cow
skulls on the glass - make
a fish aquarium scene on
the base and have grass
and swimming fish on the
top part, It's your happy
creation to do with as you
please.
I've been thinking about
those gorgeous big, hollow
glass blocks used in home
decorating and building . . .
I bet they would make some
mighty awesome votives
...and/or vases. The big
wheels just keep on turnin'...
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Note to self - ADD......
Other pics of hurricane lamp on jar lid or other base
Some other types of bases
Decorate a couple of globes...with swirlies or already made
string of beads or make flowers etc...
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