Tile Look Wall Mural Project

Exporing the Options

[Image credit: StockXchng_Ale_Paiva]

With a little ingenuity and planning, even six-year olds can create a unique piece of wall art.

Hello, Eileen!

I am in charge of a class project for our school's biannual auction and we would like to create a mosaic scene of the lake we live on. I am concerned that the finished project won't stand the test of time, though!

It's one project that all the kids will have a hand in making. They are first graders so there are limits to what they can do with a lot of things. There are at least 36 first graders, maybe a few more.

I'd like the piece to be large with a clock in one corner (a circle to look like the sun) and the rest of it to resemble the mountains, sky, lake, and shoreline (as if you stood on one side of a lake and took a picture of the other side).

I'm hoping for a rectangle shape to hang vertically - maybe 36" wide by 60" long?? I would like the round (working) clock piece to be around 12" in diameter.

I thought, if the project background was plywood, my husband could cut a circle in the back so the batteries could be changed. The clock would actually be a separate circle of plywood that would go on top of the bigger project piece (that way the battery pack would sit inside the cut circle of the bigger piece and it could be hung flush with the wall).

I hope that makes sense. I thought it would be cool if the sun kind of popped off the piece a little and I've thought about the other layers doing the same thing, too. The sun, the hills, the shoreline ... I don't know how thick and heavy that would make it, though! I guess we could use thinner plywood ...

The mosaic will be sold at our live biannual fundraising auction.

The people in our community spend a lot of money at our auction and I just want to be sure that they could enjoy their purchase for many, many years to come.

I am also wondering if you could tell me what glue would work best for adhering the "tiles" to plywood, the best filler to use between them, and the longest lasting sealer to use over the top of it all.

Please feel free to add any other tips, or ideas, you might have that would help ensure the success of this project- your knowledge is invaluable to me and to our school!

I love to craft and it's so great that you have put yourself out there for those of us who are just learning or branching out in other directions! I appreciate all your time and effort- as I'm sure so many others do, too!!

Thank you so much!!!

Sincerely,

Gennafer

I really put on my thinking cap to find a way to accomplish exactly what you want, but I think there are just too many obstacles.

• Weight: A 15 sq. ft. sheet of ¼-inch plywood weighs about 11 lbs. and 15 sq. ft. of ceramic wall tiles weigh about 40 lbs. Without even considering the grout, clock and a frame for hanging, the mural would weigh over 50 pounds.
• Cost: 15 sq. ft of ceramic tile will cost at least $100. The plywood will be about $10. Add cost of clock, hanging frame, paints or decals, grout and you can expect to spend $150 or more for materials. Will the auction generate a high enough price to justify the cost?

If you can surmount the weight and cost obstacles, I can think of three media that would be suitable to transfer a mural design onto tile:

• 1. Delta Air-Dry PermEnamel Paint is the only durable air dry paint for glass, tile, ceramics, and metal. It's water-based so could be used by first graders.
• 2. Lazertran Waterslide Decals. Waterslide decals enable you to add your mural to almost any surface, including paper, tiles, windows, painted or papered walls, stone, fabric, metal foil, plaster, candles, polymer clay etc. Just print or copy your image onto the special Lazertran paper, trim it, soak in water, and then apply - the image literally slides off the paper.
• 3. Decoupage medium like Mod Podge or Liquitex Gel Medium is water-based and easy to apply.

Alternative Tile-Look Surfaces

I looked for alternative surfaces that would give the look of a tiled mural. The best I could come up with is plastic tile which is lightweight and easy to cut to shape with a scissors.

However the cost (if you can find it) is about twice that of ceramic tile.

Rethinking the Project

The more I think about this project - a large mural to be done by first graders and having a working clock insert - the more I think decoupage is the best way to go. Here's what I would do.

Buy the clock you want to use.

Cut bulletin board paper to 3 x 5 ft.

Block out the circle for the sun/clock.

Have the children work together to draw and color in the lake mural. Use a coloring medium that will not smear when moistened (with decoupage glue) or pre-seal the artwork with a few coats of clear acrylic spray.

Use a yardstick and pencil to lightly draw a 6-inch grid on the reverse of the paper mural. Use a scissors or cutting mat and wheel (as used in sewing) to cut the squares. However, do not cut on the line. Cut 1/8 inch in from the line. This will gives you squares that are 5 ¾ inches square.

Cut away the section you blocked out for the clock.

Purchase a 3 x 5 ft. piece of 1/8-in. white acrylic sheet. A home remodeling or glass store can get it and cut it for you. This will weigh about 11 lbs. and should cost $40 or less.

Let your husband cut the hole for the clock and figure out how to attach it to the acrylic.

Use glossy decoupage medium to glue the mural squares onto the acrylic, leaving a ¼-inch "grout line" between each row.

Apply two coats of decoupage medium to seal the faux tiles and give a shiny tile-like finish.

The children can at least participate in most of the steps in this project, allowing them the pride of creation.

This is a pretty big undertaking. If you do decide to go ahead with it, please send pictures!

Hi Eileen!

I know the auction would generate enough money to justify that amount (I have seen a lemonade stand made of painted cedar go for $500 before and a thin homemade quilt for $350!).

But seeing the weight of [a 3 x 5 ft. tile mural would be over 50] pounds does make me stop and think.

It's the only fundraiser our school does (bi-annually) and people really get into it!! It's great!

I have forwarded this to another mom and we will take your thoughts and suggestions and find a way to make it happen.

Of course I will send pictures of the finished project!

Thank you so much for all your time, effort, and care!!

Sincerely,

Gennafer

Eileen,

I have used the sample paint chips as 'mosaic tile' with great results. I simply cut them up in the shapes and sizes i need and use modge podge to apply. It would be light weight and still let the kids feel like they were doing a mosaic if that is what the teacher was going after. She could have all the pieces already cut and have them in piles for the kids to choose from to make their design.

Hugs girl!

deb