| Making a set of mosaic drink coasters is a fun and | | | | you have found into the pattern that you desire, |
| relatively easy task, which results in a lovely, | | | | outside of the frame. Once you start gluing things |
| customized, and highly functional addition to your | | | | down it will be hard to make corrections. If you have |
| home's décor. Best of all, you can cut down on | | | | dishes or plastic pieces that are too large, break them |
| your expenses by using recycled products from | | | | up by placing them in a strong paper bag, or a |
| around the home as your individual mosaic pieces. | | | | pillowcase, and hitting them with a hammer until they |
| The first thing that you will need is a small wooden | | | | are useable. |
| frame to hold the mosaic pieces. This can either be | | | | Once you have the initial pattern set out for your drink |
| purchased at a craft store, or recycled from a | | | | coasters, it is time to get sticky. Use a trowel to scoop |
| decorative frame found somewhere in your home. | | | | an even layer of tile adhesive onto the surface of the |
| Remove the glass and backing on the frame and then | | | | frames interior. The thicker the mosaics you are using |
| nail a small matched piece of square wood to the | | | | for the coaster, the thicker the adhesive should be. |
| back using tack nails. This will serve as the canvas | | | | Just make sure it won't spill out over the sides of the |
| upon which you will create your mosaic. If you like you | | | | frame when the pieces are set. |
| can also sand the frame down, and stain or paint it to | | | | Using your initial layout as a guide carefully set the |
| the color of your choice. | | | | pieces into the coaster. Start with the central pattern, |
| Next you will have to find something to use for your | | | | and then fill in background color. Be very careful, as it is |
| individual mosaic pieces. Small glass tiles can be | | | | difficult to move a piece once it has been placed. You |
| purchased at your local arts and crafts store, but if | | | | should also try and get the various chips to sit at the |
| you want to save a couple of dollars you can also use | | | | same height in the adhesive, so that your finished |
| pieces of old ceramic dishes, broken tiles, pebbles and | | | | product comes out even. |
| stones from the garden, or anything that is small, and | | | | Allow the coaster to set overnight. The next day |
| will easily fit into your mosaic pattern. You also want to | | | | when the adhesive has hardened, grout the pieces |
| use all pieces of roughly the same thickness. This will | | | | over to fill in gaps between chips. Then allow the |
| make it easier for you to end up with a flat uniform | | | | whole mixture to set for a full 24 hours. When they |
| surface. | | | | are finished, you will have a beautiful set of unique |
| You should start by laying out the mosaic pieces that | | | | coasters that you designed all by yourself. |