I have long admired a gorgeous rock mosaic mirror decorating Adele's kitchen wall. I was thrilled when she revealed she crafted it herself, sparking my interest in mosaic work.
This felt like the perfect opportunity for me.
Adele and Jody kindly instructed us on this craft during a recent mother-daughter weekend at the camp, and it was a huge success! For an affordable and delightful activity for a group of 45 moms and daughters, consider this idea.
You will require the following:
Mirrors featuring substantial wooden frames; we sourced these from Ikea for just $1.00 each on sale.
1 gallon of Weldbond glue, purchased at Home Depot; some remained after 45 participants utilized it.
Lids from Cottage Cheese containers for applying glue.
Small art brushes to dispense the adhesive.
Wax paper.
A generous amount of rinsed and dried beach rocks, ideally small and relatively flat on the base, no larger than a Canadian loonie.
Seashells and beach glass are optional additions.
**Do not expect this to be a quick one-hour project; Adele estimated approximately 3 hours from beginning to completion, which seems accurate, though some took less or more. As a flexible 'come and go' option, participants finished throughout the event!
Adele allowed me to try one, which I recently finished on my kitchen table by working on it incrementally over the week. I found it incredibly calming, similar to a puzzle, but the final beauty only appears when the last piece is set!
Step 1: Place a sheet of wax paper on the table to prevent spills, as this craft can be messy.
Step 2: With the mirror remaining flat on the table, begin adhering rocks to one side.
Maintain the flat orientation so the finished mirror rests level against the wall. Apply glue to the rock bases liberally—don't hesitate to 'glop' it on; it dries clear, and ample glue is necessary for adhesion.
Step Three: Continue gluing rocks around the mirror's central area.
Step 4: Cover the top section, allowing for personal creativity; there is no correct method. I began in a corner and progressed around, fitting and gluing rocks. Since 45 people selected from the supply, the remaining rocks were quite small; larger pieces would have accelerated the process.
The objective is to completely cover the entire wooden frame. I must admit the process demands patience and cannot be rushed. To fill minor gaps, I brushed glue between rocks and gently inserted tiny pieces. Remember to use plenty of glue; it may look messy initially...
Reaching the completion feels as rewarding as solving a substantial puzzle.
Step 5: After all rocks are firmly attached, create a 'wash' mixture using 1 part Weldbond glue and 3 parts water.
Apply this mixture across the entire rock surface with a brush.
This top 'wash' dries clear and glossy, beautifully enhancing the natural hues and textures of the rocks. When dry, the project is complete! (A well-deserved pat on the back!)
{If glue touches the mirror, which is likely, simply clean it using a small amount of nail polish remover.}
Since this piece is quite substantial, attaching it requires a robust picture hanger firmly affixed to the wall.
This project offers a delightful activity for the whole family, particularly if you gather beach treasures like shells and rocks together.
Enjoy the adhesive application process.
See also: Not Just a Housewife
