Mosaics for Mom

Glue, shiny glass and a frame, plate or piece of wood for a base are all you need to create fun mosaics for mom this Mother's Day.

Unfinished wood frames can be found at a craft store along with bags of glass globs.  The glass pieces are like marbles but flat on one side.  They are often used for decorating, for filling flower vases and fish tanks.  Glued to a base, they also make beautiful mosaics.  Any rigid material can form the base and unfinished frames work well because you can add a picture of the child artist.  Another option is plexi-glass or rigid plastic plates, these will allow light to pass through the glass if set in a window.

With young kids begin with a collection of colors and shapes of glass pieces and have some fun just arranging and playing with designs.  Adult assistance will likely be required when you are ready to glue.  Clear silicone from the hardware store will work and sets quickly but clean-up is challenging.   Mosaic glue and Weld-bond are water based non-toxic glues that will hold the glass pieces and clean up easily when complete.  These water-based glues are available at craft stores or from Art at the Center.

With many projects we teach kids to use glue sparingly.  However, with mosaics due to the weight of the pieces, it is best to be a bit more heavy-handed with the glue. Do not worry about wiping off excess as it will dry clear.

If you want to add a bit more of a recycled theme, try adding buttons, bottle caps, beach glass or stones along with the glass pieces.  You can also look for recycled objects to be the base.  I saved a glass plate from a broken microwave for gluing mosaics.  Left-over pieces of wood also work well.

Kids can explore design, pattern and color relationships as they build their mosaics. Have fun making a special gift that will sparkle and shine.