Mosaic talk at Bee Cave Elementary today

It was So Much Fun! Ms. Henry and Ms. Cunningham invited me to visit their Art class today and show some mosaic pieces to Ms. Childress's and Ms. Stowe's fourth grade classes (42 kids). The kids were wonderful; such enthusiasm! I took the mosaic guitar entitled Texas Women in Music, and the glass-on-glass picture called Five Candles. I took my tools and showed them how to nip glass and smooth the edges. They were full of questions and compliments; what a great time! Thank you, Bee Cave Elementary!

Candle picture finished - click to enlarge the image

©2009, Silva Hayes, Five Candles

I changed the border from tiles to randomly shaped cobalt blue stained glass and removed the backing. I am happy with it!!

Candles, stained glass mosaic wall hanging

First, a framed print from a thrift shop. I removed the back and discarded the print and replaced the mat and the backing using a tool that shoots points into the frame. I used GE Silicone 2 clear for windows and doors and working from the front, I siliconed the glass to the frame. Next, I will mosaic directly to the glass, again using the silicone as an adhesive, then grout, then seal, and voila, I will have a piece that is already framed and has a hangar on the back. I am using some of the special Vancouver, WA glass for the candles and background, and a translucent vitreous glass tile nipped into halves for the blue border. Right now, I am tumbling all the glass and tile for about 45 minutes in the rock tumbler, just to smooth the sharp edges a bit. I will probably use pale brown grout and will probably paint over it with metallic paints.