Crock Pot Mosaic

[patty_o_furniture]

Saw an ugly old crock pot from our local thrift store and remembered back to something I saw on pinterest a while back from a company called What a crockpot.  I've been wanting to beautify my home crock pot but thought a trial run couldn't hurt!  And now I know why that company's crockpots are so expensive.  This is a tough craft!  To all you mosaic workers, you rock.  I'm glad I started with a practice crock because I learned a few things that will help me if I do decide to try again.  Anyway onto the crock!

Crockpot:  $4.... also bought three plates for $1 each


Busted up the plates and used various other rocks and pieces to decorate.  Set them out in somewhat of a pattern.  *I grabbed the hammer and DH said, "What are you doing?!"  I got a big grin and said, "Hulk SMASH!"  lol was fun.


All put into the adhesive grout


Grout washed over into the cracks, and ready to clean off all the pieces


Hardened and ready for dinner!




Thanks for looking!

[NH822]

cool idea!  Any tips you can give us from what you learned?

[theatreorchid]

Oh man, that's so cool!  I've never seen anything like that...now I want to do it too!

[Nolansmomster]

I want to know how it does with the heat-- I have the same less-than-beautiful crock pot at home... It'd be nice to make it pretty!

[patty_o_furniture]

Tips
I used ready made grout and adhesive combined which I wouldn't do again.  I'd go the route with separate adhesive and a non ready made grout. 
I'd also use non sanded grout, mine feels quite gritty. 
I'd also try to use more smooth items.  When the grout got into the tiny crevices of some of my items it was impossible to remove.  The smooth plates and tiles shined up beautifully, but I'm not happy with how some of the less smooth things look.  Maybe try a needle or a toothpick to get in the places, but I wasn't that thorough.
Or be insanely careful not to get grout into the tiny hidden places on other items.
If you still can't remove some of the grout off the tiles I found that a rag soaked in isopropyl alcohol worked the best to wash it off, though still not amazing. 

I have had the crockpot cooking all day on high and the items seemed a teeny tiny bit springy to the touch, but I'd bet you'd really really have to dig at the items to make any of them come off.  But only time will tell how long it will work for sure.

[jennieingram]

Well done patty_o!

[WingsOfClay]

So, the crockpot is still USEABLE afterwards? That's great! u will have the most unique crock pot, and your friends and family will probably want u to make more of these!!!

[SneakyFoxeh]

That's pretty!  Love how it turned out. 

[TheMistressT]

This is so great, I wish I hadn't seen it!  We've two ugly crock pots (70s and 80s versions) and it would be nice if they weren't ugly. 

[Miss American Pie]

This is charming! It reminds me of my old neighborhood, where this guy makes mosaics on lamp posts and planters. People give him their broken glass and ceramic, and he turns it into art around the neighborhood. If you're ever in nyc, go to the East Village and check out some of these beautiful mosaics.

[donniesgirl]

Interesting idea!  Have you tried to cook in it yet?

[patty_o_furniture]

Have you tried to cook in it yet?

I boiled water one whole day and everything stayed on just fine.  So I got brave and cooked soup for a neighborhood get together--no one got sick!  LOL.  Works fine as a crock pot still, the only thing is it is quite a bit heavier for when you want to take food around.

[wherewolfmom]

I love this idea and we have a Crock Pot fetish at our house anyway so I'm thinking  this is something to try........except I think I want to take off the handles and replace them with Coffee cup handles. Did you sand the Crock Pot first to help the grout take?

By the way - first time poster~happy happy joy joy!




Hey I'm not fat - it's my conditioner it adds body!

[patty_o_furniture]

Did you sand the Crock Pot first to help the grout take?

Nope, just put the grout right on.

[Caclark4]

I love this idea!  I have a 70's crockpot I got for free and one of my snide coworkers commented on its orange exterior, "Oh, my grandmother had one like that."  Well, I'm going to redo mine and see what she says to that! LOL