Mosaic Cookie Sheet Serving Tray

8 Materials
$28
3 Hours
Easy
I have to be honest and say that mosaic is not my forte, nor is it my favorite type of art to play around with. However, I’m all about continuing to try using mediums that maybe weren’t super fun my first go around (I made a mosaic window a few years ago that actually sold for a nice chunk of change!), and this project was fairly simple. It didn’t turn out exactly how I envisioned, but it serves a purpose and I plan to use it the next time we have company over.


I love the added touch of the jute twine handles and how they mesh with the beach color mosaic.


Supplies:
-cookie sheet
-old towel
-hammer
-mosaic tile
-mosaic grout
-mosaic adhesive
-rope (I ended up using jute twine [not pictured] because the rope was entirely too large to fit through the tiny drilled holes. This is what happens when your vision and reality don’t mesh.)


Not pictured:
-sharpie (optional)
-sponge (or you can use an old rag)
-hot glue gun/sticks


*Note: I spent about $28 on all the material I used, however, I had enough leftover to make 1-2 additional mosaic trays.




STEP 1: Come Up With a Design (optional but recommended)
The first thing I did for this mosaic serving tray was come up with a design. You don’t have to be Picasso to draw something out, but I highly recommend at least getting something on paper so you have an idea for spacing. I studied abroad in France during my freshman year of college, so the French culture is near and dear to my heart. I chose the word “fête”, meaning party in French. Once I drew out what I had in mind with a pencil and paper, I used a Sharpie to carefully freehand it on my cookie sheet.


STEP 2: Separate Tile (optional)
After I drew my design, I separated my color tiles. The last time I used mosaic, I wasted so much time digging through the container for the specific color(s) I needed, so this time I decided to separate them before I started assembling my mosaic. Of course, this is also optional, but it will make your life a lot easier!


STEP 3: Break Tiles
Now to the fun part. I’m sure this is not the professional mosaic-maker’s way of breaking tiles, but this way works for me, so I stick with it. I stacked a few groups of tiles (the pictures just show a few random tiles but I actually stack a few groups of 4-5 tiles) on my old towel, then covered the towel onto itself and, light but firmly, hit each stack with my hammer. I then carefully poured my broken tiles on a plate.


STEP 4: Glue Tiles
Next, I traced my design/word with the mosaic adhesive — one letter at a time — and placed my broken mosaic tiles on the glue with the flat/smooth side facing up. [This is the time consuming part of the project, so you may have to take breaks. I know I did! My neck was stiff from looking down for so long.] I first finished my word in one color, then the swirl of my design in a second color, and finally the far edges with the third turquoise color, working that same color back towards the outline of my design until all of my tray was filled with mosaic tile.


STEP 5: Grout
After I let my tray sit and dry overnight, I mixed up my mosaic grout. I simply went by the directions on the back of the container, making the grout to a thick but smooth consistency. Then, using a plastic butter knife (again, I’m sure there’s a tool for this kind of thing, but I used what I had on hand and it worked just fine) I spread the grout on to my mosaic design making sure to get it into all of the cracks and crevices. As per the instructions on the grout container, I let my tray sit for about 10-15 minutes, then took a sponge and wiped off the excess grout and let it continue to sit to fully dry and harden.


STEP 6: Add Handles (optional)
You don’t have to make your mosaic into a serving tray — it can be used simply as a kitchen trivet or décor propped on a shelf — I decided to use mine for a small drink or cheese and cracker tray. I chose to add twine handles, so I marked the two places on each side where I wanted your holes to be, then drill. Then, I fed my twine through and tied a knot underneath.


*Note: I didn’t take into consideration the sharp edges of my drilled holes when I originally thought about having twine handles, so I had to use a round file to smooth out the sharp edges of the circle. A different option than drilling holes would be to use a strong adhesive and glue some sort of handle to each side, if anything at all.


Though I’m a little disappointed with the fact that the word isn’t legible, I still think this turned out to be a cute little serving tray with pretty colors. I can’t wait to try it out when we have friends over again!



Suggested materials:
  • 9x12 cookie sheet   (Dollar Tree)
  • Mosaic tile   (AC Moore)
  • Mosaic adhesive   (AC Moore)
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Frequently asked questions
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  • Jan pringle Jan pringle on May 01, 2020

    A darker color tile for the letters would work better, I did this with sea glass I purchased at Hobby Lobby and it worked Great

  • Erin Erin on Apr 01, 2023

    Where did you find a cookie sheet that won’t flex?!

  • Ann Clouser Ann Clouser on Jul 13, 2023

    Would it work to cove with resin instead of grout

Comments
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  • AdrianaG AdrianaG on Dec 15, 2022

    Love this project! You might consider repainting the letter tiles to a darker shade with glass paint (the kimd you use to,personalize wine glasses).


    I think I will plan to use leather straps for the handles, use a brass bolt to secure it to the tray.

    • Marjorie O'Neil Taylor Marjorie O'Neil Taylor on Jun 25, 2023

      I was going to recommend repainting the letters too. Great minds think alike! I would like to try this with some of my old cookie sheets,

  • Debra McMenamin Debra McMenamin on Apr 01, 2023

    Pretty

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