Hey There! I will tell you what I know of outdoor mosaics that I've learned the last 6yrs. Ceramic tiles do not work well outside, they get wet, freeze, heave, chip, and make you cry...to see all your hard work ruined!!!! I only use stone, or porceline, or glass, mirror if back is sealed... another thing is that some tiles are REAL slippery when wet!!! So be careful when selecting tile!!! Here is a pick of my sad little birdbath and the slippery devil stepping stone...

giggles- I recently started to learn mosaics and it is easier than you think. Check out the Mosaic Forum here at Garden Web in the Home Section. Buy the ready-made concrete squares for your path and mosaic them using a wide grout line for added traction. Most folks in your zone would take them inside for the winter if they were not porcelon tile or designed for exterior use (patio tiles). YOU CAN DO THIS I PROMISE!!! In my opinion, You do not want to put shards of broken tile down in your flower beds. You would probably regret doing that. If you had a 'rock tumbler' or cement mixer it would smooth the sharp edges. But that would be a big time consuming job for a great quantity. I wish our Lowes or HomeDepot would sell damaged tiles to us. You are blessed!!!!! ****This is just my limited opinion, some of the other folks may be able to help more.*****

if you are using them outside in stepping stones I would place them face down in a concrete mold on clear contact paper and pour your cement over them...make it kind of thin...after they set up and have cured for at least a week in a dry location, seal them with concrete sealer. It is clear and will protect them from absorbing moisture. I have done this with stained glass for a long time and as long as the concrete is kept sealed they stay nice. pouring the concrete over them covers the edges and keeps you from getting cut on sharp edges.

Goodluck with your project.

~Micki~

Here is a concrete slab,12x24, that I did with what I call "good" tiles, and it has been outside for 5yrs without a problem, cracking/slipping...

Here is a link that might be useful: {{gwi:159599}}

We have a lot of rain where I live. Just be careful with the tiles that are slick, they can be very slippery. My friend used some as steeping stones and you have to walk around them when they get wet. Just thought I would let you know.