Geneva Vanderzeil
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Geneva Vanderzeil

Instructor

In This Lesson

The beauty of broken tile mosaics is how accessible and striking they are. You don’t need fancy materials—just some affordable tiles, a bit of creativity, and a willingness to experiment. For this project, we’re turning a simple mirror into a show-stopping piece with a decorative bow motif made entirely from broken tiles. It’s a great way to practise shaping pieces, working with templates, and creating clean edges directly on a flat surface. This is the kind of project that’s both budget-friendly and incredibly satisfying to make.

Tools & Materials

  • Flat mirror without a frame (any size)

  • Inexpensive tiles in at least two colours

  • Hammer (for breaking tiles)

  • Old cloth or towel (to cover tiles while smashing)

  • Wheeled tile cutter (for shaping smaller or more precise pieces)

  • Cardboard box (optional – to contain tile pieces while cutting)

  • Paper bow template (printed and cut to desired size)

  • Pencil or marker (to trace design onto the mirror)

  • Tile adhesive or strong craft glue (suitable for glass)

  • Glue spreader or small brush (optional, for applying adhesive)

  • Grout (in your chosen colour)

  • Grout applicator or gloves (to apply and press grout into gaps)

  • Sponge and clean water (for cleaning off grout)

  • Microfibre cloth (for final polish)

  • Tile sealant (to protect the finished surface)