Overview
You should always buy more materials than you think you need. That statement is true no matter what type of project you are doing. However, it is especially true for ceramic tile jobs. Tiles are made in runs. When a style stops selling, it is pulled from the production line, never to be seen again. Thus, it is always best to have too many pieces instead of too few. However, what happens when you end up with extra boxes that the vendor will not let you return? These extras can be used to decorate various items around the house as accent pieces.
Materials
Terra cotta flowerpot
Tile adhesive
Toothed putty knife
Assorted tiles
Cloth pillowcase
Hammer
Wet rag
Grout
Water
Bucket
Grout sealer
Rubber gloves
Work gloves
Safety glasses
Step 1
Hold your Terra cotta flowerpot firmly in one hand and apply a 1/8-inch-thick coat of tile adhesive to the outside of the flowerpot with your toothed putty knife. Drag the teeth in arcs through the adhesive to leave intersecting lines so that the tiles will better adhere to the terra cotta surface. Leave the bottom side of the flowerpot clean.
Step 2
Place your assorted tiles into the pillowcase, twist the end of the pillowcase closed and lay it on a hard, flat surface.
Step 3
Hit the pillowcase repeatedly with your hammer to break the tiles into 1-inch to 1 1/2-inch pieces.
Step 4
Open the pillowcase and choose a variety of pieces that are different colors, sizes and shapes.
Step 5
Press the pieces of tile into the adhesive. Push each one firmly against the side of the pot; leave an 1/8-inch gap around each piece. Do not let any of the tile pieces go below the bottom edge of the flower pot or it will not stand up properly.
Step 6
Wipe any excess adhesive off of the tiles with a wet rag and let the flowerpot dry overnight to allow time for the adhesive to cure completely.
Step 7
Mix grout and water in a clean bucket using the recommended amount of each ingredient listed on the bag of grout. Stir the mixture with your putty knife.
Step 8
Rub a handful of grout across the tiles. Cover the entire flowerpot with the grout, taking the time to fill each crevice.
Step 9
Wipe as much of the grout as possible off of the tile faces with your finger. Let the grout cure overnight.
Step 10
Wipe the face of each piece of tile clean with a wet rag wrapped around your finger.
Step 11
Let the moisture dissipate completely and squirt grout sealer onto the maze of grout covering your flowerpot. Let the sealer cure overnight before using your new, decorative flowerpot.
Warnings
Work gloves and safety glasses are required when using hand tools.
Rubber gloves and safety glasses are required when using chemical compounds such as adhesive and caulk.
Reference
Mosaic Tile Arts; Mosaic Plant Pot Project; John Poetzel; 2004
