PRISM-PAINTED TABLE

MATERIALS

table base

mastic (tile adhesive)

gold metallic spray paint tile nippers

grout sticks (see Forming Metallic-Leaf Grout Sticks)

hand-painted tiles

Weldbond glue

commercial tiles

paintbrushes

jewelry parts

assorted beads

jewelry glue

matte varnish

Tables, being flat, are great surfaces to work on and, unlike walls or ceilings, you don’t have to fight the forces of gravity. When sealed properly, hand-painted mosaic tabletops are functional as well as beautiful. (Not that you would want your creation covered up by a potted plant!) Beware and be patient; it takes quite a bit of time to paint enough tiles to cover a tabletop, but the end result is worth it. Remember, no pain, no gain! Here's a tip: Add commercial tile into the mix so you don’t need as many hand-painted tiles—it really gives the tabletop a mixed-media look. Here I have used my favorite border, the black-and-white check that really shows off the painted tiles.

1 CREATE BORDER
Prepare the tabletop base with tile adhesive. (See Tile Techniques.) When the adhesive is dry, spray paint the base with gold metallic paint. When the paint is dry, you can begin gluing on the tiles. Start with a nice, straight frame of glass tiles around the perimeter of the base.

2 NIP TILES TO FIT
If you get to a point where the tiles don’t come out exactly evenly with the shape of the base, you can trim a final tile down to fit.

3 FILL IN AROUND EDGES
When the perimeter of the tiles is complete, you can start filling in the space with your hand-painted tiles.

4 WORK TOWARD CENTER
I like to begin by placing tile in the corners first, then work my way toward the center.

5 FILL IN WITH GROUT STICKS
When all of the tiles have been glued in, fill in any remaining small holes or gaps with grout sticks (Forming Metallic-Leaf Grout Sticks) or . . .

6 USE BEADS AS GROUT
. . . seed beads work well for filling in the tiny gaps between tiles, creating a unique alternative to grouting.

TILE TIP

When selecting micro beads or seed beads to fill in the gaps and cracks, select colors that will unify your overall piece, the way that grout would.

7 USE SQUARE BEADS
Square glass beads can be used for a strip.

8 VARNISH THE TABLE
After the glue has thoroughly dried, give the tabletop a coat of matte varnish. Brush each tile individually. There is no need to varnish the commercial tile.