"I Am The Vine..." Glass Mosaic - ChristianCrafters.Com

"I Am The Vine..." Glass Mosaic
by S. A. Keith

A great summer project! For ages 10 and up. This craft requires close, adult supervision.

Alternate method for younger kids, see below.

Become a yearly support partner to make more Christian resources like this possible. Click here.

"I am the Vine, you are the branches." John 15:5

What You Need: Vine pattern * (see below) or your own design; clear Plexiglas cut to 6" x 10"; cathedral and stained glass pieces (available at craft stores or online at monstermosaics.com); Clear Glass and Ceramic Cement Glue; Tile nipper; Pre-mixed white sanded grout; large, smooth surface sponge; Q-tips; tape; cotton balls; rubbing alcohol. Protective eyewear is recommended when cutting and nipping the glass pieces.

What You Do: Read the directions before beginning. Tape the vine pattern or your own design underneath the Plexiglas with design facing up (Tape just the edges. See picture on the right).

Main design - This part of the process requires little to no glass cutting: Use a Q-Tip to apply the glass cement to a small area of any of the positive shapes (the crown, vine, branches, arch, water). Using the pattern as your guide, begin placing the glass pieces into the glue. The glass pieces should be placed about 1/8 to 1/16 apart. Apply enough glue to bond the glass effectively, but not so much that the glue oozes out onto the Plexiglas.

Background - This part of the process requires cutting the tiles to fit: Working the background is very similar to putting a puzzle together. As you fill in the background, you will need to cut the glass to fit. Please use caution and protective eyewear. When nipping and cutting the glass with the tile nippers, cup the glass in your hand to keep it from flying.

Allow to dry for 24 hours. Remove pattern from Plexiglas. (You can also use hot glue to apply the glass to the Plexiglas.)

Use a damp sponge to apply sanded grout to glass. Push the grout between the glass pieces. You will completely cover the design and fill the spaces between the glass. Keep the sponge completely flat and begin wiping the grout off the surface. It will be a process of rinsing the sponge, wringing it out to get as much water as possible out of the sponge, and then wiping the grout some more. Continue doing this until the glass is clean. It is VERY important that you keep the sponge flat so as not to pull the grout from between the spaces.

Allow to dry for 24 hours.

Use a cotton ball and rubbing alcohol to buff the glass to a beautiful shine. Hang in a window or place it on a window sill to let the light shine through.

Copyright 2005 S.A. Keith - All Rights Reserved
SundaySchoolNetwork.com

To make this craft with younger children substitute clear overhead projector sheets for the Plexiglas, colored tissue paper for the glass pieces, and Modge-Podge for the glass cement. Copy the design onto the overhead sheet. Apply the Modge-Podge and the tissue paper over the design.

* The VINE PATTERN will need to be enlarged to fit a 6" x 10" piece of Plexiglas.

The pattern is available for free to our yearly Support Partners only.

When you become a Support Partner, you'll also receive a pattern to make a Celtic cross. The circle in the cross represents eternity or God’s eternal love.
Click here to become our support partner.

Return to the Crafts section.

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	"I Am The Vine..." Glass Mosaic by S. A. Keith
*A great summer project!* For ages 10 and up. This craft requires close, adult supervision. Alternate method for younger kids, see below.
*Become a yearly support partner to make more Christian resources like this possible. Click here.*
"I am the Vine, you are the branches." John 15:5 What You Need: Vine pattern * (see below) or your own design; clear Plexiglas cut to 6" x 10"; cathedral and stained glass pieces (available at craft stores or online at monstermosaics.com); Clear Glass and Ceramic Cement Glue; Tile nipper; Pre-mixed white sanded grout; large, smooth surface sponge; Q-tips; tape; cotton balls; rubbing alcohol. Protective eyewear is recommended when cutting and nipping the glass pieces. What You Do: Read the directions before beginning. Tape the vine pattern or your own design underneath the Plexiglas with design facing up (Tape just the edges. See picture on the right). Main design - This part of the process requires little to no glass cutting: Use a Q-Tip to apply the glass cement to a small area of any of the positive shapes (the crown, vine, branches, arch, water). Using the pattern as your guide, begin placing the glass pieces into the glue. The glass pieces should be placed about 1/8 to 1/16 apart. Apply enough glue to bond the glass effectively, but not so much that the glue oozes out onto the Plexiglas. Background - This part of the process requires cutting the tiles to fit: Working the background is very similar to putting a puzzle together. As you fill in the background, you will need to cut the glass to fit. Please use caution and protective eyewear. When nipping and cutting the glass with the tile nippers, cup the glass in your hand to keep it from flying. Allow to dry for 24 hours. Remove pattern from Plexiglas. (You can also use hot glue to apply the glass to the Plexiglas.) Use a damp sponge to apply sanded grout to glass. Push the grout between the glass pieces. You will completely cover the design and fill the spaces between the glass. Keep the sponge completely flat and begin wiping the grout off the surface. It will be a process of rinsing the sponge, wringing it out to get as much water as possible out of the sponge, and then wiping the grout some more. Continue doing this until the glass is clean. It is VERY important that you keep the sponge flat so as not to pull the grout from between the spaces. Allow to dry for 24 hours. Use a cotton ball and rubbing alcohol to buff the glass to a beautiful shine. Hang in a window or place it on a window sill to let the light shine through. Copyright 2005 S.A. Keith - All Rights Reserved SundaySchoolNetwork.com To make this craft with younger children substitute clear overhead projector sheets for the Plexiglas, colored tissue paper for the glass pieces, and Modge-Podge for the glass cement. Copy the design onto the overhead sheet. Apply the Modge-Podge and the tissue paper over the design. * The VINE PATTERN will need to be enlarged to fit a 6" x 10" piece of Plexiglas. The pattern is available for free to our yearly Support Partners only. When you become a Support Partner, you'll also receive a pattern to make a Celtic cross. The circle in the cross represents eternity or God’s eternal love. Click here to become our support partner. Return to the Crafts section.
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