Scrap Glass

Make beautiful art of glass mosaic tiles, it's easy! Let me show you how.

Wondering how to sign your glass mosaics inside so that the signature will not rub or wear off? Nothing seems to stick permanently to the glass. Permanent marker is not permanent. Acrylic enamel paint and scrub, chip or flake. Nothing works!

Until recently, I signed my glass mosaics inside with enamel paint. I covered the mosaic (except signature) with old rags and towels, then lightly sprayed two light coats of acrylic sealer to protect the paint. This method works ok, but it does not seem to be as stable as my new idea.

I had an epiphany a while ago and I was signing all my glass mosaics inside with this method since. Try and see how it works for you. Use this method only for the mosaics inside. Do not use this method for outdoor mosaics or mosaics to be displayed in a humid environment (eg, a sauna or shower).

WARNING: Try this method on a piece of waste glass before trying it on your mosaic art. Try hooking the first glass you will know if it's how you really want to sign your mosaic art. It will also give you practice before doing it on your mosaic art.

Using a permanent marker fine point, write your name on the glass. I usually put my signature on the bottom right corner of my mosaics inside. Put yours when you love the most. I found a piece of Tessera large enough to contain my signature anyway I did not write about all the grout lines. If I have to write small to fit on a single piece of Tessera, so I did not cross the lines of grout, then I write small.

Ask your mosaic art inside on a flat surface. To do this, so that the wet glue will not run or drip. If your tile is flat, the glue is thick enough so it stays where you apply (for example, it does not run or drip). With your mosaic inside flat, carefully apply white Elmer's Glue plain-Everywhere around your signature. Do not touch the tip of the bottle of glue or ink signature could burrs. Slowly press enough white Elmer's Glue-All to cover the entire signature. (Elmer's White Glue-All is the stuff we all went to school with. I can usually buy a big bottle 7.625 oz at Walmart for about $ 1.50.)

Let the glue dry completely overnight. Elmer's Glue-All White dries clear. When wet, the glue does not absorb or blur of ink. Instead, the ink remains intact and signature good looks after the glue is dry and clear. The color of the glass also shows through so that the glue does not affect the appearance of mosaic. The ink is buried in the glue and the glue offer permanent protection of my signature on my mosaics inside.

Do not try to get cute by using a cotton swab or other tool to spread the glue evenly. While trying to spread the wet glue, if you just press a hair too hard and feel of the ink stain it. If you leave the ink only, it will not stain or blurry, but it will be with the slightest touch. Therefore, I suggest that you do not try to balance the lines of glue. Instead, hold the tip of the bottle of glue near the glass and gently press the adhesive. The edges will be a little ragged (ie not perfectly straight and square with each other). In my opinion, this is normal, they need not be perfectly smooth, straight and perfect angles with each other. When the glue is dry and clear, I do not notice the decay unless my nose is right in the mosaic.

As mentioned previously, do not use this method for the mosaics on the outside or for mosaics that will be displayed in a humid environment (eg a sauna or shower).

This process is explained on my site for free with lots of pictures, so if you do not quite understand, go to my site and watch the pictures. Try this method.