Natural stones are a wonderful way to bring the outside in, and they add an earthy texture to your home. Stones also symbolize stability, strength and balance.

I came across these tumbled marble stones at our local Habitat For Humanity's The Restore. I picked up 3 square foot sheets of them, for only $1 each.

How to Make A Stone Mosaic

Start with a base, this is what you'll attach the stones on. We used a scrap of 1/4" MDF board.

Choose an adhesive for the type of stone or other mosaic materials you'll be using. We use Loctite for Mirror, Marble and Granite. These professional type adhesives are made to use in a caulking gun.

Layout your mosaic pattern and begin gluing your stones onto the base.

To create a rugged freeform mosaic, glue some stones so their edge protrudes beyond the edge of the base. 

After you've finished gluing each stone, allow to dry for a few hours. Dry time depends on the type of adhesive used.

Choose your grout. We like this Keracolor sanded grout in white, it has good texture and it's a very natural shade of white, almost a soft neutral shade.

Put on a pair of gloves, scoop about 2 or 3 cups of powder grout into a bucket (amount depends on the size of mosaic your making) and slowly add a splash of water, just enough to create a thick frosting-like texture.

Mix well to get that nice thick frosting. 

(Mmm great... now I'm thinking about buttercream frosted cupcakes and it's 10pm. Grocery store run anyone?) 

We used a mixing paddle but usually we just mix grout by hand, which works perfectly fine.

Spread the grout on your mosaic. You can do this by hand, or with a trowel.

Use your hands to smooth the grout around the sides, edges and into any crevasses or gaps.

Use a wet sponge to wipe down the mosaic, smooth the grout and clean off excess grout residue on top of the stones. It's handy to keep a bucket of water nearby to ring out the sponge and re-soak it in the water as needed while you're cleaning off the excess grout.

Allow several hours of dry time before using.

And now you have a very cool earthy decor piece to use anywhere in your home. Maybe in your Zen room?

We made one as a toilet paper/vanilla orchid holder for the back of the toilet. One for my hair tools to sit on, so they wouldn't scorch the top of my dresser. And a larger one as a "mantel" that our Crane electric mini fireplace heater lives on.

Stones are so versatile in the home, I hope we've inspired you to explore decor options with them as well! 

Thanks for stopping by my blog today,

sending much love from our home to yours!

Love,

Christine