How to Create a Piece of Art From a Plank of Wood and Some Glass Tiles

Susan Goode
by Susan Goode
5 Materials
$5
4 Hours
Medium

I love to try new ideas and as wood and glass are two favourite tactile materials of mine I thought it would be exciting Experiment to combine the two.

Sanding a plank of wood
Sand a plank of wood


I use the mouse sander to smooth this plank of wood. I start with rough sand paper and then swap to finer grade paper to smooth the surface.

Cut piece of paper for template
Make a Paper template


I use a paper template. Firstly I draw it on the paper making sure I’ve got the approx size balance that fits on centre of the plank. I glue the template to the wood.

Glue template to wood
Cut tiles


I use small stain glass tiles that are thin and easily cut with wheeled tile nippers. I always use safety glasses and arrange the pieces where I will like them to be before I glue. This way I can makes changes easily before they are fixed to wood.

Cut glass tiles either wheeled nippers
Glue tiles on to the template


I use PVA glue to fix the little pieces of glass tile directly to the paper template. It drys in about 15 mins and so there’s a few minutes to adjust if you need to.

Cutting glass tiles for mosaic

I fill in the the rest of the fish with tiles and colour.

Adding tiles

The fish is now ready for grouting.

Design ready for grouting
Protecting wood with masking tape


Before grouting I use masking tape to prevent grout staining the wooden surround.

Masking tape to protect wood
Grouting


I use ready mixed black grout and a piece of plastic or an old credit card will work.

I put some masking tape around the fish to prevent staining from the grout.

put a small dollop of grout into the centre of design and work it into the crevices and it’s best to use gloves to protect hands too.

then it’s time to wipe of excess grout and clean it up.

Grouting the design
Grouting the mosaic
Cleaning excess grout off


It’s a messy business but spend time cleaning off all excess grout with cloth and warm water or wet wipes.

Cleaning excess grout off
Ready to unveil

After the piece is cleaned and dry it’s time for the big reveal!

im so thrilled with this piece made from recycled wood and glass. Naming Billy The Fish!

Mosaic fish on wood
Billy The Fish mosaic
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Frequently asked questions
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  1 question
  • Susan Susan on Jul 14, 2020

    How is the fish attached to the wood frame?

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