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Login Create AccountMaking stepping stones can be such a mess. Wet concrete, messy, gluey, sand mixtures, and glass pieces sliding around in the mold. Instead, try this art room-friendly version to create stepping stones.
If you are doing this with a class of students, try having them work in partners or groups.
You’ll want your students to consider the following 3 tips when creating their design.
You will be using contact paper to lift and transfer the mosaic design to the surface of the pre-made concrete stepping stone. You need to prepare the design transfer first, so your tile mastic adhesive doesn’t dry out while you work.
Simply cut a sheet of contact paper to cover your entire laid-out mosaic design. Take off the protective paper and press the sticky contact paper onto the mosaic design. Now, you’re ready for the transfer!
Make sure you have already attached the mosaic design to the contact paper to avoid the tile mastic drying out. Use a large wooden Popsicle stick or spoon to slather on a layer of tile mastic adhesive. It’s kind of like frosting a giant concrete cake!
Try to keep the layer even and thick enough that it will grab the glass tiles but not so thick that it will be higher than the height of the mosaic pieces. An even layer of about 1/8″ of tile mastic should do the trick.
It’s best to do this step with a partner, each person holding a corner of the contact paper with the glass design stuck on the sticky side of the contact paper.
Line up your design over the surface of the stone and gently lower it down to the surface, pressing it into the frosted tile mastic. Peel back the contact paper and re-attach any glass pieces that may have fallen off the contact paper or shifted in transit.
The tile mastic actually dries pretty quickly, but if you want to be extra safe, allow for the mastic to dry overnight before grouting on top of the design. When ready, mix your grout following the directions on the grout bag. Then, spread a thin, even layer on top, squishing the grout into the cracks between the glass pieces. Let the grout dry slightly. Finally, wipe with a damp sponge until the glass design is clean and sparkly!
High-five a friend, you did it! Sure, there still may be a little bit of mess with this version of mosaic making, but the contact paper transfer allows for a more class-friendly stepping stone experience.
Here are 3 tips to try first.
Trying an unfamiliar technique can be overwhelming. Change your mindset, and it becomes an exciting new challenge. Most importantly, have fun with this stepping stone project!
Have you ever tried mosaic work with students?
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