Picture frame with mosaic - DIY

Hey everybody!
Today you are going to find out how to make a picture frame with mosaic on it all by yourself.

I already made two of them and they are a really cool decoration for your room or a nice gift for somebody you love. Before you start to make this picture frame, you should ask yourself if you have enough time and patience for such a handicraft because it will cost some of your time and energy.

You need:

• Simple frame out of wood or metal
• Mosaic (you can buy it in an arts and crafts shop or on the internet)
• Mosaic glue or a hot glue gun
• Joint compound
• Palette knife
• Sponge

Instead of the mosaic you can also use an old mirror or an old CD. The CD you can simply cut up in pieces with a pair of scissors. On the other side, if you choose to use the old mirror for the frame you should be a bit more careful. Break it into pieces by using a pair of pliers or a hammer. Admittedly, it would be the best to wrap an old blanket around the mirror while doing this so as not to cut yourself on the small fragments.

1. Paste your mosaic onto the picture frame in a sample which you like (this can take a while, especially if you have such small pieces of mosaic as I had. I would suggest listening to some good music while doing this)

2. Let it dry

3. Next mix your joint compound together with some cold water so that it becomes a spreadable mass. It is for your best if you take some container you will not use anymore for anything else. (If you want, you can add some tinting or acrylic paint to make your frame more colourful.)

4. Now distribute the joint dimension over the entire surface with the palette knife. Spread the mass into all of the gaps between the mosaics. Remove the mass which lefts over.

5. Let it dry for about 30 minutes and then wipe away the rest of the joint compound from the mosaics with a damp sponge. If you realize that you remove too much of the joint sealer, let it dry some more time.

I hope that you will be happy about your self-made picture frame. Good luck! -J