HOW TO MAKE A MOSAIC MEMORY VESSEL | Substrate, Tesserae, Cutting, Tiling + Grouting

In this video, I’ll show you how to create a mosaic from all your momentos and keepsakes you’ve been holding onto for years. It’s called a Mosaic Memory Vessel. We’ll talk about what exactly is a memory vessel, how to pick a substrate, tesserae options and how to prep, how to tile + grout a vessel, and of course, finishing it off! As always, LOTS of tips and tricks throughout.
SKIM THE VIDEO:
00:00​ - INTRO
00:59 - WHAT’S A MEMORY VESSEL?
03:06 - HOW TO PICK A SUBSTRATE
04:49 - LET’S TALK TESSERAE AND PREP
09:22 - TILING THE SUBSTRATE
15:42 - GROUTING THE SUBSTRATE
22:06 - FINISHING OFF
24:44 - QOTD
25:11 - BLOOPERS
VIDEOS TO WATCH NEXT:
→ HOW TO MIX UP THINSET-MORTAR (go to thinset chapter) - • HOW TO MAKE A MOSAIC C...
→ HOW TO USE A GRINDING STONE - Coming soon!
→ HOW TO USE APOXIE SCULPT IN MOSAIC - • APOXIE SCULPT FOR YOUR...
→ HOW TO MIX-UP GROUT (go to grouting chapter) - • EASY BEGINNER MOSAIC P...
…
My shop: etsy.me/364yNoV​
Subscribe for events, new collections, & shop sales: bit.ly/3qbeLAA​
LET'S CONNECT ON SOCIAL:
INSTAGRAM: bit.ly/2Y8l23O​
FACEBOOK: bit.ly/2KKpe76​
PINTEREST: bit.ly/2Mddr1x​
TWITTER: bit.ly/39ZmiMa​
Leave a comment if you'd like me to talk about a specific mosaic topic in a future video.
New videos are uploaded every 2nd & 4th Tuesday of the month at 11am EST, plus BONUS VIDEOS between those times so make sure you SUBSCRIBE TO OUR CHANNEL and CLICK THE BELL NOTIFICATION so you don't miss an upload.
CONTACT: For business inquires ONLY, please use this email: [e-mail]
…
*Please note, these links are affiliate links. If you purchase anything through the links below I may receive a small commission but there is no additional charge to you. Thank you for supporting my channel so I can continue to provide you with free content in every video.
ITEMS USED IN THIS VIDEO:
SUBSTRATE
→ LOTS OF OPTIONS!
VASE (used in video) - rstyle.me/+1P2...
11” TALL JUG-STYLE VASE - amzn.to/3h0ZXlv
11” TALL VASE WITH 2 HANDLES - amzn.to/3H4BRRv
11” TALL VASE - amzn.to/3BCCkJx
10” TALL VASE - amzn.to/3LPDsOL
10” TALL VASE - amzn.to/3v9kzAt
9” TALL VASE - amzn.to/36sczjE
8” TALL VASE - amzn.to/3BELCF0
8” TALL VASE WITH 2 HANDLES - amzn.to/3sSUfI2
10” TALL PITCHER - amzn.to/3BCQ86A
9” TALL PITCHER WITH A FUN HANDLE - amzn.to/3BBLANR
MATERIALS
→ CERAMIC PIECES (Mix of colors!) - amzn.to/3s1S9Gw
→ CERAMIC PIECES (Neutrals + Brights) - amzn.to/3JDJZtV
→ CERAMIC PIECES (White) - amzn.to/3v3h4ex
→ CERAMIC PIECES (Yellow) - amzn.to/35bG4p8
→ CERAMIC PIECES (Mix of color options) - amzn.to/36fWc9B
TOOLS
→ COMPOUND TILE NIPPERS - amzn.to/3s435Dn
→ METAL (LONG) TWEEZERS - amzn.to/3GR6SZ5
→ NON-SKID RULER - amzn.to/3sNmcky
ADHESIVES + GROUT
→ WELDBOND - amzn.to/3LA1q07
→ THINSET-MORTAR - amzn.to/34EOwNG
→ APOXIE SCULPT - amzn.to/3JsA4Hv
→ GROUT - amzn.to/3s4Q10M
ADDITIONAL ITEMS USED:
→ LAZY SUSAN - amzn.to/3s65tK8
→ PAINTER’S TAPE - amzn.to/3By83vr
→ CLEAR GLASS - amzn.to/3I6eto1
→ LARGE CORK ROUND (7” diameter) - amzn.to/3H2S9tV
→ LARGE CORK ROUND (9” diameter) - amzn.to/3potKt9
→ LARGE WOOD COASTER (lots of sizes!) - amzn.to/3LNAdHp
JULIE’S FAVORITE MOSAIC TOOLS
→ WHEELED GLASS NIPPERS - amzn.to/3EFWQdT
→ GLASS CUTTERS*
PENCIL GRIP - amzn.to/3r65I7b
PISTOL GRIP - amzn.to/3u6oAFk
THOMAS GRIP - amzn.to/3rZ4Ss3
→ *GLASS CUTTER OIL (you need this for any of the above-mentioned glass cutters) - amzn.to/3KSOsdt
→ RUNNING PLIERS - amzn.to/3rZ07yK
→ TILE NIPPERS - amzn.to/3GSfgZZ
→ ELECTRIC GLASS GRINDER - amzn.to/3NorQCq
→ SANDING STONE - amzn.to/3NoF9Db
→ WAFFLE GRID GLASS CUTTING BOARD - amzn.to/3LGWSnJ
→ NON-SKID RULER - amzn.to/3ELwBCO
→ METAL TOOLS & PICKS - amzn.to/3Lgp9Ce
→ TWEEZERS - amzn.to/3soGH7D
→ PALETTE KNIFE - amzn.to/3lBJs1z
→ WORKSHOP BRUSH - amzn.to/3Ggg5LU
JULIE’S STUDIO BACKGROUND - MATERIALS ORGANIZATION:
→ PLASTIC BINS (small) - amzn.to/3DhY3Hh
→ PLASTIC BINS (large) - amzn.to/3mp0yBA
→ HEAVY DUTY PLASTIC BINS - amzn.to/3gqhrIe
→ LABEL MAKER - amzn.to/3D7Gfyj
→ ZIPPER ‘FREEZER’ BAGS - amzn.to/2XEheKK
→ INTERLOCKING CONTAINERS (SMALL) - amzn.to/30TcL90
→ INTERLOCKING CONTAINERS (LARGE) - amzn.to/32z4303

[@jdmosaics]

Great to see this Julie, you did a great job for your Brother and I can see he loved it too. I have made quite a few memory pots for other people and commissions in the past. Also lamp bases. Now I will cover my dear Mum’s cremation cask. We scattered her ashes on the Ocean same as my Dad. The cask is not a great shape but I have boxes of her hand made jewellery as Mum taught Polymer Clay and jewellery making for over 25yrs. A thing I used to do on the bottom of the vases or lamp bases of an indoor Memory ware piece was to glue a thick piece of black felt to make it look finished and not rough. Cheers

[@JulieWeilbacher]

Hi Neena Me! Awww, thanks for your kind words. My brother loved it which I'm so thankful for. It sounds like you've done your fair share of memory vessels too! What adhesive do you use? A lamp is on my list! Keep creating and I'm so glad you're here!🌟

[@sueflis1533]

Julie, You help me to never give. up on this art form!!! Hugs!

[@JulieWeilbacher]

YAY! That's so nice to hear, Sue!😊 Keep creating and I'm so glad you're here!🔥

[@pmarlowe1638]

This was so informative and such fun to watch! Great ideas! You’ve helped me look at “my stuff” in a whole new way! ❤️👍

[@JulieWeilbacher]

Hi P Marlowe! Great to hear you enjoyed the video! I've got a box of my 'stuff' that I can't wait to use on a vessel. They are so fun to make and the end result is so personal. Keep creating and I'm glad you're here! 🔥

[@metzejr]

Brilliant, love this project idea. So many great tips. Will be a video I come back to repeatedly. Thank you!

[@suegilmartin2777]

Thank you , it's brilliant. Like a mashup of Naïve Art and Grayson Perry. So full of memories. Your videos are so helpful and inspiring.

[@JulieWeilbacher]

Hi Sue! Thanks for your kind words....and wow! what a compliment. Great to hear you're enjoying my videos. I greatly appreciate your support. Keep creating and I'm glad you're here! 🔥

[@reshmanair-qe4it]

lovely and emotional. priceless gift.

[@JulieWeilbacher]

Hi there! Thanks for your kind words. My brother loved it!🤗

[@j.c.7555]

Wow Julie…once again such detail and what a great idea for a gift or keepsake! I loved it! Wish I saved all those things. ❤️❤️❤️

[@JulieWeilbacher]

Hi JC! Thanks so much! This was a really fun, special project to make. Lots of work but the end result is just WOW! I've been saving a box of stuff to make a vessel for myself.....in my spare time! 😂 Keep creating and I'm glad you're here!

[@kathiekarancz8695]

Gracias again.. you’re a great teacher! 👍😎🐢

[@JulieWeilbacher]

Hi Kathie! Thanks for your kind words. Great to hear you enjoyed the video. As always, keep creating and I'm so glad you're here! 🔥

[@karenjenkins4020]

This is so wonderful‼️

[@JulieWeilbacher]

Hi Karen! Awww, thank you so much!😊 My brother was pretty excited about it too. Keep creating and I’m thankful you’re here.🔥

[@pmanzano4474]

What a fantastic idea!

[@JulieWeilbacher]

Thank you!! One day I’ll make one for myself too. I save EVERYTHING!🙈

[@arlenebain5678]

Wow! What a wonderful idea! Thanks for sharing ♥️😁

[@JulieWeilbacher]

Hi Arlene! Great to hear you enjoyed the project. It was a super special one. 😊 Keep creating and I'm glad you're here!

[@kirstenhastings9052]

Wow! So incredibly special. Love it!

[@JulieWeilbacher]

Hi Kirsten! Thanks for watching. Great to hear you like how it turned out. They're a lot of work, but so special. Keep creating and I'm glad you're here! 🙌

[@sangueguerriero9538]

You can still make another one including the fun part of music 🎵🎶 and favorite artists 😍👍💕..This turned out so beautiful and lovely 🥰....BTW did the welbond glue on the picture worked well after the thinset application?

[@JulieWeilbacher]

Hi there! Thank you for your kind words.😊 My brother loved it! I like your idea of favorite artist. The Weldbond did fine. In the future I think I’ll do a bead of silicone along the edge where the glass meets just for additional peace of mind. Keep creating and I’m thankful you’re here!🔥

[@EvgeniaKotsiubinski]

Great idea! Thanks a lot!❤️

[@JulieWeilbacher]

Hi Evgenia! Thanks for watching....and great to hear you like the idea of a mosaic memory vessel. We all have little sentimental knick knacks that we don't know what to do with. Why not make art with them?!? Keep creating and I'm so glad you're here!🙌

[@EvgeniaKotsiubinski]

@@JulieWeilbacher you're so right. I never thought of assembling of these memory things altogether. It also could be some tool box or even a fragment of a wall.

[@megganberley5974]

How do you preserve the gold on the dishes when you grout? Sometimes the grout rubs away the gold or makes it dull.

[@JulieWeilbacher]

Hi Meggan! You're right, it does happen from time to time. My suggestion, and it could be tedious, it to cover your pieces with painter's tape before grouting. I know 😩. Keep creating and I'm so glad you're here!🔥

[@loisrobinsonrobinson1222]

Beautiful Julie my daughter has something similar she did in College, that's so Creative, absolutely beautiful❤

[@JulieWeilbacher]

Hi Lois! Awww, thanks so much! Memory vessel are so special.😊 I keep gathering stuff of my own....now to find the time! Keep creating and I'm so glad you're here!🔥

[@charleyb8423]

Love it!

[@JulieWeilbacher]

Hi Charley B! Thanks so much! Great to hear you enjoyed the video and project. It's a special one for sure! Keep creating and I'm so glad you're here! 🔥

[@eyeofspirit369]

I am doing a Mosaic Red butterfly. Would red grout look good or another colour? Not quite sure what colour to do.

[@JulieWeilbacher]

Hi ladylinda ives! Check out this video which will walk you through the steps to finding your perfect grout color: kzbin.info/www/bejne/ZoKvY6WLiJ2gp8U. Keep creating and I'm so glad you're here!🔥

[@jennykasparamoen9649]

What happens if you don’t cover the tesserae? Just scratching? I’m going to make a large mixed media mosaic, and was wondering if I had to cover everything, or just the “important” pieces.❤

[@JulieWeilbacher]

Hi Jenny! You want to cover up any tesserae that might get scratched by the grout like metal, metallic glazes, but also anything that's porous, has tiny nooks and crannies, etc. Enjoy your project! Keep creating and I'm so glad you're here!🔥

[@yvonneschimmel453]

That's gorgeous

[@JulieWeilbacher]

Hi Yvonne! Awwww, thanks so much!😊 It's great to hear you like how the vessel turned out. They're such sentimental pieces. Keep creating my friend and I'm so glad you're here!🙌

[@yvonneschimmel453]

@@JulieWeilbacher your an inspiration to me. Living with a brain tumor in the center of my brain causes so many shortcomings and my physical struggles are daily. So hard to find a hobby my hands can handle. I am glad I found your site. I sometimes watch a few several times because I enjoy your tactics how you portrait your art work. I found hope and light in a sometimes very lonely road. Thank you. Look forward to seen more of your art work. I find so peacefully inspiring. God bless you , your students and your love one

[@cathyarvin3634]

👏👏👏

[@JulieWeilbacher]

Thanks Cathy! Did you see your KY stuff? Thanks for sending everything. It worked out perfectly and Scott LOVED the vessel!!💗

[@cathyarvin3634]

YES ❤️

[@reginamannings92]

AAAAAAAAmazing ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@JulieWeilbacher]

Hi Regina! Thanks so much!!😊 It's great to hear you enjoyed the video and project. A labor of love for my brother. Keep creating and I'm so glad you're here!🔥

[@marianogueira6828]

❤

[@JulieWeilbacher]

Hi Maria! Right back at you❤!

[@Beehive65]

👍🏽

[@JulieWeilbacher]

Hi DIY! Thanks for watching. As far as design goes, this is a limit-less mosaic! SO FUN!! Super personal. Keep creating and I'm so glad you're here!🙌