Very cute, Lori, and what brand concrete sealer do you use? Did you use grout or thinset as grout? It really came out cute, very nice! And, will be very interested in answers to the glue issue, as well. I have a stepping stone I'm getting ready to do, once temps get back to normal. Too bloody hot to work outside for me right now, ugh. But, I want to do all my stepping stones, eventually. I'll do one or two, so I have the mesh technique down, then do my fire pit cover. I went out and bought a bag of white thinset (Maipei Porcelain Mortar, which is the same thing as Ultra Flex II, just renamed for Lowe's). So, hoping that the mesh will sort of "disappear" into the white thinset. We'll see.

Patty S.

Thanks Patty! I use grout. I've grouted with thinset before, but it doesn't absorb the color sealers I use, so I stick to grout.

I use Radon Lastiseal, and have bought it in both clear and in a number of the colors they offer. I think on this one, I will stick to leaving it gray. I like the way the owl pops right now, and fear a color will ruin it.

I let it dry 24 hours before putting any sealer on it, though I think the company prefers you wait even longer.

Here's a link: http://www.radonseal.com/color-sealer/color-sealer.htm

Thanks, Lori. Gosh, this forum has just been invaluable as far as sharing great resources. Have saved the link for the sealer. SInce I know most of my mosaic projects will be for outdoors, anything I can do to help make them as weatherproof as possible, is good. SInce I live in an area that doesn't experience freezes, I can really make some pretty things for my yard and leave them out all year 'round. But, always good to make them as bombproof as possible.

Patty S.

I put my glue in a syringe-you can buy craft syringes. I actually use it for silicone since I cant stand weldbond, lol.

We'll, duh. I should know that, I'm a quilter. Great idea,wacky.

Patty S.

Hmm a syringe definitely sounds like an idea worth trying. And LOL on Weldbond. I can't handle silicone because of the smell.

I still haven't tried the syringe; keep intending to. If I use thinset as an adhesive, I mix up a small batch at a time and put it in a sandwich baggie. I cut a small hole in one corner and squeeze it like a cake decorator. If I have glue such as Weldbond squeezed out in a cup or lid, I cover it with something flat like a small square of cardboard in between using it. Keeping the air away from it helps it to last longer. I mainly use MAC glue which is thin and comes out easily and I just apply it directly from the bottle as needed. You can't leave the cap off, though, while you do something else, because it clogs up right away, so I have to pop the cap off and on.

Thanks Silvamae! I haven't worked with MAC glue, but reading the product page on it sure makes it look intriguing. I think I might give that one a try. I like that it is water resistant when dried as everything I do is for outdoors.

Silvamae, do you know if Michael's carries MAC Glue? I'd like to try to find it at a local store if possible.

Patty S.

I love your owl. I've been saying I was going to try something on mesh.......too many projects, have not gotten around to it.

No, Michaels doesn't carry it. I can only find it on line, either from Maryland Mosaics or direct from MAC glue. It is expensive. But if you use it sparingly, it may work out to compare well with other glues. When I first started buying it, it was $12.95, now it's $24.95, plus shipping and handling. My last order cam to $32 for an 8 oz. bottle. What I do is alternate the glue on the same piece of work. I will use Weldbond, GE Silicone II, and MAC, reserving the MAC for finicky pieces or area where I really need a strong hold. If I use it for glass on glass, I run a thin line around the outer edge of the piece of glass, instead of covering the entire piece.

I was at the pharmacy today and noted a childs medicine syringe. has the nipple tip on it and it only cost $1.49. (I reuse mine many many times BTW)

Thanks, silvamae, that's what I found as well. The price is rather spectacular. I do like that it is thin and easier to apply to small pieces. Just trying to justify that price point. I wonder what has caused the product to double in price? I will think about ordering this. I did order a different silicone adhesive - Lexel - which is completely clear and much less smelly. I hope this will work with my direct applications. Going to stick to Weldbond of my mesh experiments and my fire pit cover.

Patty S.

any white glue is fine for mesh, I like cheap school glue (think elmers with the orange tip) I don't have to transfer it to anything, just dot it on the mesh intersections as I go.

Thanks, nicethyme. I guess any white glue will do, as long as it sticks the glass to the mesh well enough to be able to lift it up without anything popping off :-) Hoping to be able to do one of my stepping stones this week. Will post up photos of how it turns out.

Patty S.