Mosaic Clay Saucer Coasters

If you've never worked with mosaics before, this is a perfect beginner's project. The supplies are inexpensive and easy to obtain, and the technique is fairly straight forward to learn.

Consider making the matching Mosaic Table or Birdbath for a coordinating table set that would look lovely on the patio or in the gazebo.

Copyright © 1999-2011 Susan Spatone All rights reserved.
Published with permission from CraftAtHome.com

Craft Supplies:

Clay Saucer (I used 5 inch saucers)
Stained Glass or any glass pieces of choice
Cork
Household Goop or E6000 Glue
Tile Grout
Patio Paint, colours of choice
Crumble Resistant Sponge
Paint brush
Grout Sealer (optional)

Craft Project Instructions:

Paint your saucer (do not paint the bottom inside of the saucer, where you will lay your mosaics). Allow the paint to dry completely before proceeding to the next step.

Lay the stained glass pieces along the inside bottom of the saucer, to cover the entire surface (you can begin without first placing your pieces, but if this is a new technique for you, it helps to practice the placement a bit first.).

When you are happy with the pattern, begin gluing the pieces of glass into place. You don't need much glue on each piece, just enough to hold the piece in place. Once you have finished gluing all pieces, prepare the grout mixture as instructed on package. If you are using ready mixed grout, add a little water (drops at a time) to make spreading the grout easier.

Once your glass pieces are secure and no longer move (this should take less than hour), spread grout over the entire top of the glass and gently press the grout into all the seams, making sure there are no air pockets below the grout. Allow this to sit for about 10 minutes, but don't wait any longer or it will be more difficult to remove the excess grout.

With a damp sponge, gently wipe away any excess grout from the surface, rinsing your sponge constantly. Be sure to wipe away any grout that has made it onto the painted surface (you may need to touch up the painted edge a little once the grout has dried). Wipe all grout from glass now, as you will have a terrible time trying to remove it later.

Allow grout to dry overnight without disturbing it. To help protect your grout from staining use a grout sealer (available at home improvement centers), following manufacturer's instructions. If you would like a little extra protection for your paint surface, coat with an exterior non-yellowing varnish. Finally glue a cork coaster to the bottom of each saucer to help protect any surface you may place these on.