Did you ever make a paper collage in school, fitting small pieces of colored paper together to make a picture? If so, then you already have the basic idea of how to make a mosaic.
Simple designs, even those drawn from a child's coloring book, can look stunning done as a mosaic, whether you use ready-made mosaic tiles, glass pebbles, or even broken dishes. Here, too, is a chance to recycle some interesting mixed-media pieces, from newspaper cuttings or photos under glass to river stones, seashells or pottery shards. If you are making a mosaic table, however, choose flat pieces of similar depth to keep your table surface nice and flat.
The following article discusses the indirect method of mosaic construction, whereby you place mosaic tiles upside down onto adhesive paper contained within a mold, fill with cement, and wait for it to dry before flipping the cast over to view your masterpiece. The indirect method is most often used when the finished surface needs to be very smooth.
Direct methods of making mosaic, including illustrated mosaic tutorials and a short instructional video, are offered at right.
Making Your Own Mosaic Tables
Mosaic tables really are unique and even more so when you
choose to make them yourself! The most common type of mosaic decoration
within a home is often a mosaic table with a mosaic
tabletop, often on a wrought iron base in the Tuscan style.
As mentioned, it is possible to create your own mosaic table
and that is something which some people choose to do. This is
because it makes it more personal to you and it is not overly
difficult to achieve a mosaic table yourself either. So, how
exactly do you go about creating your own mosaic table?
In order to create a mosaic table yourself, you need to have a
mold to make your tiles. You also need adhesive paper which will
be cut to fit the bottom of the mold. The mold will have to be
coated with petroleum jelly, followed by adhesive paper which
will be placed onto the mold with its sticky side facing upwards
onto the bottom of the mold.
The next step in the process, is to arrange the pre-cut glass pieces onto the adhesive paper depending upon the design that you are using. Once you have done that, roll the tiles with a brayer in order to ensure that all of the edges on the tiles are
down. When that has been done, you will need to use quick drying
cement and mix it with water and a powder colorant to add a nice
tint to the concrete. After you have successfully prepared the
concrete, pour it into the mould, on top of the glass design but
try not to fill it all the way to the top. It is likely that
there will be a few air bubbles within the mixture, so in order
to remove them tap the mold on the surface and leave it to dry
for one hour.
When you are sure that the mold has dried, turn the mold upside
down in order to peel off the adhesive paper. Make sure that you
then remove any excess concrete away from the design using water
and a scraping tool. Finally the mosaic tabletop is ready and
all you have to do is seal it onto a wrought iron base. This
type of homemade mosaic table is known as an indirect method as
you are working your way up from the bottom of the stone and you
place any wording backwards so that when it is flipped over it
reads ok.
Overall it is simple to make your own mosaic table, you just
need to have the right tools and equipment to do it.
About The Author: Adam Peters contributes adding content to home-decorating reviews, a focused website that offers articles on cutting bamboo shades, read more here:
bambooshadestyles.html.
Just starting to do mosaics,please advise what would be a simple table pattern to begin with.Thank you.
Ruth – phoenix
Oct 17, 2008 - 12:01
I am looking for the wrought iron bases with plywood inserts
to be able to make my own tile end tables. I have seen them
all over Mexico so I know that they should be available
in the States. Please help if you know of a location or website.
Reply to Ruth
Jane Lake – Editor at AllFreeCrafts
Oct 17, 2008 - 13:23
Hi, Ruth,
This is an interesting question because I happened to see some beautiful tables like this in the Sears catalog this week. I'm in Canada, but I imagine Sears USA would have the same set. It included a coffee table, end table and taller sofa table, all with ceramic tiles that could be changed out to alter the look. You could search their catalog online, I'm sure. Good luck!
~Jane
Reply to Ruth
Kathy DiLoreto – PA
Mar 31, 2009 - 11:51
You can order wonderful iron-rimmed tables from Mike Mosaic. If you do a google search for Mike Mosaic you will find him.
angela castillo – new jersey
Sep 17, 2008 - 11:35
I would like to know how to apply mosaic tiles on a round wrought tabletop.Which first adhesive I need, materials and What will I put at the borders, since the table is round. Can you help?
Mae – Memphis
Jul 23, 2008 - 17:09
I am truly a visual person. Reading does less for me than watching the process.
I thoroughly agree with Linda - El paso. Pictures of all the steps is highly important for those of us wbeepwant to experience through sight. Thank you.
Linda – El paso
May 15, 2008 - 00:38
You need to show pictures on every step of the process, thank you.
Did you Know?
The pieces of material that you use to make a mosaic are called tesserae.
Mosaic Table Photo Tutorials
Your comments asking for photos to illustrate the process haven't gone unheeded. Here's some great how-to mosaic table tutorials, complete with step-by-step photos:
The Great Mosaic Table Project Shows how to reface a dining table with glass tiles, ceramic tiles, and black and white photos incorporated into the overall mosaic design.
Mixed-Media Mosaic Dining Table Began life as a piece of plywood; includes an interesting mixed media mosaic collage, including a dried flower, tissue paper, part of broken bottle, photos, copper wire, pennies, and even an illustrated history of the mowhawk haircut.
Mosaic Instructions MosiacArtSupply.com has handy mosaic instructions, FAQ, and a mosaic tile calculator. They suggest using patterns from a child's coloring book for inspiration.
The following article discusses the indirect method of mosaic construction, whereby you place mosaic tiles upside down onto adhesive paper contained within a mold, fill with cement, and wait for it to dry before flipping the cast over to view your masterpiece. The indirect method is most often used when the finished surface needs to be very smooth.
The next step in the process, is to arrange the pre-cut glass pieces onto the adhesive paper depending upon the design that you are using. Once you have done that, roll the tiles with a brayer in order to ensure that all of the edges on the tiles are
down. When that has been done, you will need to use quick drying
cement and mix it with water and a powder colorant to add a nice
tint to the concrete. After you have successfully prepared the
concrete, pour it into the mould, on top of the glass design but
try not to fill it all the way to the top. It is likely that
there will be a few air bubbles within the mixture, so in order
to remove them tap the mold on the surface and leave it to dry
for one hour. 
When you are sure that the mold has dried, turn the mold upside
down in order to peel off the adhesive paper. Make sure that you
then remove any excess concrete away from the design using water
and a scraping tool. Finally the mosaic tabletop is ready and
all you have to do is seal it onto a wrought iron base. This
type of homemade mosaic table is known as an indirect method as
you are working your way up from the bottom of the stone and you
place any wording backwards so that when it is flipped over it
reads ok. 
The Great Mosaic Table Project 
Mixed-Media Mosaic Dining Table
Mosaic Instructions