How To Make Mosaic Crosses

Mosaic crosses can liven up almost any room or area.  Irregardless of whether you choose solid tiles or transparent ones, mosaic crosses are as beautiful to make as they are to look at.  In some instances, you may even be able to find the materials necessary right around the house.

To begin making mosaic crosses, you will need to decide whether you want the colored areas to be solid colored or transparent.  Solid colored mosaic crosses are much easier to make.  They are ideal for beginners,and those who do not want to take the time building a complex frame.

In terms of materials, you will need enough colored objects to fill in the shape of a cross.  You can use anything from rocks and seashells to colored pieces of bathroom tile.  Next, you will need some cement. Plaster of paris will also work, as long as the mosaic pieces are not too heavy.  Finally, you will need some paint for in between the colored areas.  As usual, you should have plenty of cleaning rags, water buckets, and a means to protect your work surface all set up.

The next step is to create a  mold or form.  This does not need to be anything complicated.  As long as it is in the shape of a cross, and will not leak, you should be fine.  That said, it is important to make sure that the impression where the cross will sit is flat and deep enough to accommodate the cement or plaster.  If you are going to hang these mosaic crosses on a wall, you will need to leave a hole at the top of the cross.  In terms of the mold, you can use a dowel or something else that can be easily removed later on.

Next, you will be ready to create the form of the cross with wet cement or plaster. Once you have the cement or plaster set into a cross shape, simply add your tiles or colored pieces.  Ideally, the lines between them should be as interesting a the tiles themselves.  Once the cement or plaster has dried, you can take the completed cross out of the mold.  Simply paint the area between the tiles to complete the cross.  On the other hand, you may just want to leave those areas in their natural color.

Creating mosaic crosses with transparent tiles is a bit more complicated. Essentially, you will need to create a frame, much as you would for a stained glass window or suncatcher.  Depending on whether you elect to use glass tiles or painted plexiglass, you can make this frame out of almost anything.  As an example, for plexiglass, you can even make the frame from toothpics or light flower arranging wire.  For glass, it is best to purchase regular stained glass grouting and frame making supplies.  Once you have created the frame, simply add the transparent tiles.  You can glue them in with crazy glue, or other compounds that will hold them in place as unobtrusively as possible.

Mosaic crosses are some of the most beautiful and elegant objects you can find.  By making one of your own, you will also have the experience of making a cross to suit your own tastes and design ideas.  Considering the number of materials that you can utilize to make mosaic crosses, there is bound to be some combination that will inspire you to give it a try.