Let’s take a look the end product, the actual creation steps taken by the maker of this mosaic and then let’s put our heads together to see if we can diagnose – what went wrong.

Materials:  Terra Cotta Tray – 6 inches, Assorted pebbles, glass tile

Step one: -  Bottom of Terra Cotta Tray sealed with water/white glue. (Top of tray, where mosaic goes – not sealed.)
Step two: – Pebbles & Glass Tile pieces attached with Silicon Glue along rim, and then inside the tray in a more or less random design.

Step three: – Allowed to dry overnight

Step four: – Grout made and applied, excess wiped off after 30 minutes with soft cloth

That’s all that was done. This object is kept outside in the garden, and only looks good when it’s got water in it.

Here is a list of the Problems with this Mosaic Project Gone Wrong: 
- Pebbles on edge are coming off
- Glue showing in some places
- Some pebbles and some tile pieces are barely visible under the grout
- The grout is cracking around the pebbles on the rim
- The grout always looks “powdery”
- The visible glass tile pieces and pebbles always look dull (unless water is in the bowl)

You are invited to be the mosaic detective. What’s your diagnoses? Please make your comments below.