Shimmer Glass Mosaic

glass cutting tool
running pliers
non-sanded tile grout
clear silicone glue
safety glasses
sponge
bowl of water
craft sticks
small paint brush
scythe stone (from stained glass shops)
clear architectural glass, various patterns
black marker
pattern (2 copies)
3-panel frame (with removable glass)
stained glass pieces
tweezers
wheeled glass nippers
clear adhesive shelving paper
2 pairs disposable rubber gloves
small bowls to divide glass pieces
metallic powder and clear medium (or shimmer, glitter or shiny paint)

Steps:

1. Choose your pattern and size it to fit the glass in the picture frame. Remember, you'll be working on the backside of your project, so reverse the image of your pattern to be reproduced if possible and necessary. Definitely make sure words or numbers are reversed on your pattern or they will come out wrong.

2. Pick stained glass colors and nip random-sized pieces into small bowls or piles on the work surface. Wear your safety glasses while snipping the glass.

4. Cut from the second copy of the pattern your three leaves. Place the pattern face down onto the smooth side of the clear architectural glass and trace the outline with a black marker (figure B).

5. Using the glass-cutting tool, score the smooth side of the architectural glass, just on the inside of the black marker outline. Use the running pliers to break the glass along the score (figure C). Cut and break each score individually until your leaf is completely cut out (figure D).

6. Begin to creatively score and break the glass leaf cutout into individual pieces. The scores should mimic veins within the leaf.

7. Use a scythe stone to remove any jagged edges on each of the glass leaf cutouts (figure E).

8. Place each piece of the glass leaf cutouts onto the sticky side of the shelving paper. The pieces should be placed textured side up (figure F).

9. With tweezers or your fingers, place the nipped stained glass around your leaf cutouts no more than 1/8 inch apart (figure G).

10. Mix 1/2 teaspoon metallic powder and 1 teaspoon clear water-based medium (shiny premixed paint can be used as well) onto a nonporous surface, such as a terracotta tile, with a craft stick. Apply the mixed "paint" to the textured side of your leaf cutouts with a small brush. Apply one color at a time and allow to dry completely (figure H).

11. Clean the glass panel in the picture frame and apply a medium to thin layer of silicone glue to the entire surface (figure I).

12. Place the glued side of the glass panel onto the exposed surface of your stained glass pattern and press firmly (figure J).

13. Allow glue to dry completely and remove the shelving paper (figure K). If stained glass piece sticks to the shelving paper rather than the glass panel, simply re-glue the piece and place it back into position. Allow to dry.

14. Mix grout and water until it is a thick cookie-dough consistency and apply to the stained glass. Wear two pairs of gloves to prevent cutting your hands, and gently press the grout into the small cracks between the glass pieces (figure L). Remove as much excess grout as possible.

15. Allow grout to dry completely, and wipe off any excess with a wet sponge (figure M). Place the finished mosaic piece back into the picture frame.