I made a mosaic-ed mirror all by myself (okay, I had help)
I’d like to pretend that I’m handy and can do things for our house. But, the thing is, that would be totally pretend. I can use a level and a hammer like nobody’s business and even the power drill and screwdriver, but to make things with those tools? No dice.
Now? I know how to tile. Turns out, it’s not that hard at all (maybe this is pretend tiling, but I put tile down and grout on it, so I call it tiling).
The goal was to make a mirror with mosaic tile around it. Like with actual grout and a trowel (I’m certain I’ve never used one of these before…turns out it was better to use my hands anyways, but I did hold it in my hand first).
I learned how to do this at Home Depot at their DIH (that’s Do It Herself) workshop. I had no idea they do these monthly (the third Thursday of the month) at all Home Depot stores. We started with a mirror that was marked off so we knew where the tile went. If I did this at home, I’d tape off the middle part, too so I didn’t worry about getting grout on it and scratching the mirror.
Then we used sandpaper and roughed up the mirror to give the tiles a surface to which to adhere. Scrape, scrape, scrape…pause for picture…rub, rub, rub.
We had tile adhesive strips to place on the mirror and then put the grid tile all around the edge. This literally took about 22 seconds (+/- 10 seconds). Again, pause for a picture.
The most time consuming? The grout. First we rubbed it between the tiles and the edges. We used a grout with sand in it because the spacing was appropriate to do so (I seem to remember 1/8th of an inch or bigger being the requirement for the sand grout). Turns out Lindsey is an expert tiler, so I was glad to have her there with me to make sure I didn’t goof our mirror up. Put the grout, then wipe off the excess. It sounds so easy, but we needed a lot more water. Turns out glass cleaner will take it off later. Whew.
Then once you wipe it all clean, you pull the tape off and you have a nice little mirror with mosaic tile on it. Turns out this same process can be used for a tile backsplash in your house. Hmmmm….wonder if I’ll be inspired.
Not only was it a cool easy project, but it was a fun learning experience that can be applied to other projects in my house. The next one is one with lighting and dimmers. We actually replaced all of the outlets in our house (not just the plates but the actual spots you plug things into, so I think we’re good for that), but I’ll definitely be checking what the next project is.
What a great idea! I have a huge mirror that has been in my garage forever because it doesn’t have a frame around it hmmmm I bet tile would look awesome around it! Can’t wait to try it! yay!
You should totally do it! It took less than an hour!
So…..my bathroom? When do you want to start? 🙂
What a great idea… I wish our local DIY store did something like this. I would so go along
Mollyxxx
I’m not sure where you are, but I’ve been told that all Home Depots are doing this.
How fun! I am going to see if our Home Depot does this…I would really enjoy it. Where are you going to pu the mirror?
no where yet…I need a way to mount it.
Great job! Looks like fun!!!!!
Thanks! It was fun and nice to have a “girls” event.
Cute project and what a fun way to learn a new skill!
I always like to improve my skills:)
SO much fun. Thanks for being my partner! 🙂
No, thank YOU!
Wow! It came out great! I have taken the kids to the kids home depot workshops but haven’t attended one of the adult ones yet – really should do that!
We just did the kids first one last weekend. We’ll have to remember them from now on.
GREAT IDEA – where did you put it up?
No where yet. It doesn’t have anything on the back to mount it.
that looks like a great, easy project. it would be so awesome in my foyer, i’ll have to try it!
Yes, that’s a great place for it!
Looks nice! Great idea!
I wish I would have thought of it, but it sure is cute.
This is such a neat idea and super cute!
It really was. Some people have such great craft ideas.
I had no idea Home Depot had those classes. And tile adhesive strips? Never heard of them, what a marvelous idea! I need to let my mom know about them, she has to tile her kitchen and I know she can do it by herself 🙂
I didn’t know either…so they must have just started, or I’m not there enough.
The strips sure made it easy! I think you can use the strips on a counter or backsplash, but they said you can’t use them on the floor:(
thats really cool! i like!
Yes, I will place an order for one myself! GREAT job. Love how it looks!
You should check out the next one in your neck of the woods.
This is such a cute DIY! It looks professional. 🙂
Well, I won’t post a close up picture:)
Hahaha, story of my crafting/sewing life. 🙂
That looks so nice! I would have thought it was super hard!
Not too hard at all, especially with a friend.
I did this for my mom for mother’s day and had such a hard time making the grout look neat. You did a great job though!
Well, my friend that I brought with me had just done a lot of tiling, so she’s pretty close to an expert.
Oh, awesome!
Wow thats awesome! I want to make one
Do it!