Small ceramic tiles, typically used in mosaics, can be used to produce a variety of crafts. From wearable art to functional housewares, anyone can easily create tile crafts with a few simple tips.
Ceramic Tile Jewelry
Anyone can create decorative ceramic tile pendants and brooches using some basic jewelry findings, industrial strength adhesive and sticker printing paper or Porcelaine 150 pens and markers. All of these supplies can be found at local craft or office stores.
To decorate the tiles with the Porcelaine 150 pens, simply draw any design directly on the tile. These pens are specially designed so that the ink can be baked onto ceramic or glass for a permanent finish. The tile can be wiped clean before baking if mistakes are made. Once satisfied with the drawing, simply bake in a 300 degree farenheit oven for 35 minutes.
If drawing is too difficult, try printing designs onto adhesive printing paper. Print photos, monograms, cartoons or any design. Then simply cut out the design and peel and stick the it onto the tile.
Once the tiles are designed, assemble jewelry findings such as earring posts, pins, rings and bails. All of these should also be available at local craft stores. Use industrial strength adhesive to glue a jewelry finding to the back of each tile. Allow the adhesive to dry overnight. Once dry, the piece should be ready to wear.
Ceramic Tile Magnets
Small ceramic tiles can also be transformed into personalized refrigerator magnets. In a few easy steps, anyone can create this simple craft.
First, decorate the ceramic tiles using the methods outlined in the first project. Be creative and use either Porcelaine 150 pens or stickers to create a unique design.
Once the tiles are designed, use industrial strength adhesive to secure a small magnet to the back of each tile. Magnets can be found at a local craft store. Allow the adhesive to dry overnight and then use the magnets to post documents and pictures on the refrigerator.
Ceramic Tile Painting Frame
Ceramic tiles can also be used to create a beautiful mosaic painting frame. To create this project assemble four canvas stretcher boards that fit together to make a frame, industrial strength adhesive, a variety of small ceramic tiles, grout, a sponge, a bucket and a trowel.
Start by assembling the stretcher boards so that they make a frame. Apply a small amount of industrial strength adhesive to the joints to give them greater stability. Allow to dry overnight.
Next use industrial strength adhesive to glue down tiles to the front of the frame. Use some creativity and arrange the tiles in a decorative pattern. Allow the glue to dry overnight.
Finally, grout the tile design. Use a trowel to spread the grout over the tiles, making sure that it fills the spaces between the tiles. Use a moist sponge to wipe off excess grout from the frame. If necessary, use a wet finger to create a smooth grout line along the edges of the frame. Allow the grout to dry for 24 hours.
Once the grout is dry, apply a sawtooth hanger on the back of the frame so that it can be hung on the wall. Place any appropriately-sized canvas within the frame and proudly display the work of art in a decorative manner.
Use Creativity to Create Ceramic Crafts
With a few tips and some creativity, anyone can create a variety of beautiful ceramic crafts. Use some creativity to expand on the ideas above and create stylish wearable art and decorative housewares.
Elizabeth Beeson - Elizabeth spends most of her time wielding a torch and creating original wearable art for her jewelry line: Quite Clever Jewelry. She also ...
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