How To Create A Paper Mosaic

Learn how to create recycled magazine art that looks like a faux ceramic mosaic with paper. It's a great way to recycle magazines and colored paper!

This easy recycled magazine art uses a technique that makes the paper look like ceramic mosaic tiles!

I'm Suzy from Suzy's Sitcom. Creating beautiful home decor from recycled items is one of my passions. I'm so happy to share with you one of my favorite techniques, creating a ceramic mosaic look with just paper!

My husband and I travel and live full time in our RV experiencing as much of the country as we can. Where crafts are concerned, I am often influenced by the places that we go to and the people that we meet.

This project was created as a way to use up a stash of color magazines and travel brochures that we had accumulated. Creating beautiful recycled magazine art is one of my favorites! Like this beautiful framed artwork. In a 400 square foot home on wheels, we don't have a ton of room for things. So crafting must occur!

How to Make Recycled Magazine Art Look like a Ceramic Mosaic!

I just love this paper mosaic idea! When you use the paper, it really does turn out looking like you used tiles.

For this project, I decorated a small stool using travel brochures, but any color magazines or bright paper will work!

What you need:

How to create a faux ceramic mosaic with paper. A great use for recycled magazines!

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Craft/DIY Tools Needed:

Mod Podge Matte Finish
Mod Podge Dimensional Magic
Scissors
Paint Brush
Artist Brushes

Supplies Needed:

Unfinished Wooden Stool
Acrylic Paint in Teal and Gray
Travel Brochures or Colored Magazines

Paper Mosaic Instructions:

Just follow these instructions to make your own paper mosaic craft.

1. Prepare the surface.

Putting paper on a tabletop to make it look like ceramic mosaic

Paint the base of the stool with teal acrylic paint. Use the gray acrylic paint for the top of the stool. The gray paint will serve as your "mortar" or "grout" in the mosaic. Choose some brightly colored paper and begin cutting out shapes.

Cutting out paper that you will mod podge onto a stool.

As you can see in the photo above, I had used charcoal to draw in an idea of the flower outlines. You can also use chalk if you have it on hand. (Be sure to rub the outlines out before applying the Mod Podge).

2. Create the paper mosaic.

Cutting out paper and gluing it to a stool so it looks like ceramic mosaic.

Brush a small section of the drawing with matte Mod Podge. Place colored paper pieces over the Mod Podge and then brush Mod Podge over them. This will hold the paper from your recycled magazines in place.

Bright paper shapes glued to a stool that looks like mosaic flowers.

Fill the rest of the stool top with brightly colored pieces of paper being sure to leave spaces between the paper to represent the grout in a mosaic. There is no wrong way to do this recycled magazine art!

3. Create the Ceramic Look

Squeezing Dimensional Magic on the papers to make them look like ceramic pieces.

Mod Podge Dimensional Magic is the secret to turning your paper pieces into the look of ceramic. Simply squeeze a small amount of Dimensional Magic on each individual piece of paper and use the tip of the tube to spread it. (Do not shake the bottle or it can result in bubbles).

Apply the Dimensional Magic to the paper pieces and not to the grout areas. This will create the look of mosaic ceramic tiles.

4. Allow the project to dry.

It will take the Mod Podge Dimensional Magic about two hours to dry completely. It will dry to a clear, shiny finish that brings out the vibrant colors of the paper.

Looking for creative projects or ideas that are perfect for kids and adults? Turn a stool into recycled magazine art. Learn how to make a faux DIY ceramic mosaic with paper. A great use for pictures from old magazines! #crafts #diy #mosiac #homedecor #upcycle #recycle #kenarry

The result is a beautiful mosaic tile piece of recycled magazine art with the look of ceramic tiles. What a great use of recycled paper!

This little stool will brighten up your home and creates a colorful centerpiece for any room. What else can you create with this technique? How about a pretty frame, tabletop, lazy susan, or wall art! There are so many possibilities for this faux technique!

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Love recycled craft ideas?

Here are a few more of my projects made from supplies that just might surprise you!

How to make Faux Tin Tiles from Cookie Sheets!

How to make a Faux Tiffany Lamp from a Thrift Store Find!

How to Make Mosaics the Easy Way!

You may also enjoy these mosaic craft ideas on Ideas for the Home by Kenarry® –

How to Make Mosaic House Numbers (The Easy Way)!
Mosaic Garden Rocks; How to Make Garden Mosaics
Mosaic Pots Trio: How To Make Broken China Mosaics

Suzy has a background in fine art, graphic design and photography, and created Suzy's Sitcom in 2010 as a way to document new and original art and craft ideas. Her website features arts, crafts and humor, with a specialty in vintage and recycled crafts, quilting and sewing.

Suzy and her husband live and work on a farm in New York. Many of her ideas are inspired by the animals and wildlife that can be found there.

Suzy has been sharing her great ideas on Ideas for the Home by Kenarry® since October 2018. Follow Suzy on Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram and Twitter.