Fourth Project - Mosaic Mirrors

This project was loaded with new adventures for the students and staff!  Mosaic mirrors are usually built on top of a marine plywood or other strong wood that will stand up to the glue and grout process.  The mirrors are usually inset into the back of the project and the rest of the glass is completed as a mosaic on top of the front side.  Students were given free rein on creativity for this project as it was designed to see how independent they could be with glass construction.  Some direct instruction and guided instruction was needed when it came to the construction tools:  a circular saw, jigsaw, drill and router.  Students need to design their project and indicate where the mirror was going to be imbedded.  Then they had to cut out the basic wood shape, cut out the mirror space, drill holes for hanging and rout out the lip for the mirror inset.  Once the board was finished, they could then start cutting the glass for the pattern they had picked.  As you can see, we are still in the process of construction with some students almost ready to grout and some still working with the wood.  Chemical bonding is the necessary science in this construction but the color spectrum for creating the project and background plays an equal part in constructing a project that looks good.  I will publish the finished projects when they are completed.  It has been interesting to see the growth process in some students who know exactly what they want and are working toward that goal.  Some are finding out how very difficult glass art can be when skills are not applied properly.  At our 7th week end, skills are being defined and talents are being uncovered.