Supplies:

• pasta machine
• conditioned clay in black and orange
• piece of thick glass or ceramic for cutting and baking the tiles on
• a length of square brass tubing - whatever size you prefer (1/4 inch, 3/8 inch) from the local hardware or hobby store
• fine grit file
• jeweler's hacksaw (optional)
• plain flat wooden picture frame painted black
• white glue
• your favorite Halloween photo or card

Cut the tubing to a more manageable 2 inch length, if you like.

File all four outside edges of the flattest end of the tubing (not usually the end that I cut!) into a sharp beveled cutting edge using the fine file held at a 45 degree angle.

Run the conditioned polymer clay through the pasta maker on a #5 setting.

Place the sheet of clay onto the baking tray. Smooth evenly to remove air bubbles and to be sure you have a tight bond to the glass.

Dip the sharpened cutting tube into talcum, baby powder or cornstarch (the safest), then press it into the clay. To keep the squares perfect, press straight down and lift up without twisting or tilting the cutter.

I dip into the powder every 2 or 3 cuts. It is less time consuming than picking stuck clay out of the tube.

Cut as many squares as you need and a few extras of each color.

Press down lightly with your finger any tiles which have lifted corners, then very carefully peel up the excess clay leaving the square tiles behind.

Bake at 265 degrees (or according to the manufacturer's directions) for 10 – 15 minutes and allow to cool in oven to prevent glass tray from cracking.

Using good old Elmer's Glue, or any other white glue which dries clear, brush onto the frame and place your tiles in the desired pattern. Brush on only enough glue for a few tiles at a time.

When glue has dried and you are happy with the tile placement, grout the finished product. Any hardware or paint supply store will carry unsanded grout in either premixed or powdered form.

I find it easiest to simply get a tub of ready-to-use unsanded premixed grout.

Scoop out a spoonful of grout. Add water if it is powder form – the grout should be the consistency of peanut butter.

In this picture, you can see I've colored the grout by stirring in a little black paint.

Smear the grout all over the tiled surface. Be sure to work it into all the spaces between the tiles. I usually use my finger, but a knife or spatula works great.

Using a slightly damp sponge, wipe away excess, being careful not to remove any grout from the crevices.

Allow grout to dry overnight.

Wipe any residue off with soft rag, then brush on several coats of sealer. Allow the sealer to dry between coats.

I use Mod Podge, but grout sealer or Fimo matte or gloss sealer works well also.

Please keep in mind, though, that the tiles should never be applied to any item that comes into contact with food products.

Enjoy your Miniature Mosaic project!

Happy Halloween!

Sarah Lajoie
My website: Miniature Tile / Mosaic Home Page
E-mail me!