STYROFOAM brand foam crafts

China Mosaic Topiary

The charm of pretty patterned teacups and soft vintage colors abounds in this one-of-a-kind topiary design. Mosaic crafting is easier than it looks. Try it today!
   Completion Time - 
2-4 hours
   Designer - 
Kathleen George

Materials

STYROFOAM Brand Foam
  • Ball, 5"
  • Sheet, 1" thick, scraps
Other Materials
  • Patterned china saucers, two to three
  • Flat-backed glass gems to complement china, 20
  • Acrylic paint to complement china
  • Clay pot, 4-1/2"
  • Wooden dowel, 1/2", 8" length
  • Pre-mixed acrylic spackling
  • Plaster of paris
  • Coordinating satin ribbon, 1" x 2/3 yd.
  • Green sheet moss

Tools

  • Pencil
  • Ruler
  • Masking tape
  • Disposable palette
  • Water basin
  • Paper towels
  • Scissors
  • Disposable plastic cups, two
  • Measuring cup
  • Spoon or craft stick
  • Flexible rubber spatula
  • Rubber gloves
  • Old towel
  • Natural sponge
  • Hammer
  • Tile nippers (optional)
  • Low-temp glue gun and glue sticks

Instructions

Note: Broken china pieces may have sharp edges. Be extremelycareful when working with them. Wear rubber gloves for your safety.
  • 1. Use pencil to poke hole in bottom of foam ball. Use gluegun to glue one end of dowel into hole. Let dry. Glue oppositeend of dowel into center bottom of pot. Secure dowel in placewith strips of masking tape placed across pot rim.

  • 2. Wax serrated knife with candle stub or paraffin. Cutseveral cubes from foam scraps. Loosely pack foam scraps intoclay pot; these will keep pot from cracking as plaster of paris expands.

  • 3. Following manufacturer's instructions, mix plaster indisposable cup. Pour plaster into pot until foam chunks are nolonger visible. Let set. Remove tape from top of pot.

  • 4. While plaster sets, break china for mosaic. Wrap one pieceof china in towel. Gently tap hammer against china. Continueuntil broken pieces are about 3/4" across; remove from towel.Break remaining china until there are enough pieces to cover foam ball.

  • 5. Use glue gun to glue china pieces to foam ball, fittingpieces close together to cover entire surface. Note: Spacesbetween china pieces will be more pronounced on roundedsurfaces; more "grout" (spackling) may show on finished piece than expected.

  • 6. If additional china pieces are required to fit particularspaces, repeat Step 4. Tile nippers may be used to shape chinapieces as needed. Note: Designer chose to highlight individualmotif in center of topiary, surrounded by plain china pieces,then patterned rim sections. Your design will depend upon china you choose.

  • 7. Place about one cup of spackling into remaining disposablecup; stir vigorously with spoon until smooth.

  • 8. Wearing rubber gloves, use fingers or spatula to workspackling "grout" into cracks between china pieces. Using dampsponge, gently wipe mosaic surface to smooth grout lines andremove excess spackling. Rinse sponge often.

  • 9. Following manufacturer's instructions, let spackling set.Use sponge to wipe surface clean. Let spackling dry overnight.Buff surface with dry towel to shine.

  • 10. Paint wooden dowel and clay pot, including inside rim,with acrylic paint. Let dry.

  • 11. Glue glass gems around pot rim. Glue moss into top of pot.Tie ribbon into bow around top of dowel; spot glue to secure.