Looking after your garden mosaic
Thank you so much for either buying one of my garden mosaics, or coming to one of my workshops to make one with me. Your mosaic is made to be enjoyed, but like anything handmade, it does need a little bit of time and care.
Before you put it outside
If you’ve made your mosaic with me at a workshop, please let it dry and cure properly before putting it outdoors. Keep it somewhere dry and frost-free for about one week after the workshop. If the weather is cold or damp, give it a little longer. The longer it has to dry and cure, the better.
If you’ve bought a finished mosaic from me, it will already have been given plenty of time to dry and cure before you receive it, so it is ready to go outside.
Where should I put it?
A sheltered spot is best, particularly if you live somewhere with a wet, cold or changeable climate. Rain, frost, ice and big changes in temperature will all have an effect on things that live outdoors. Try to find somewhere that is reasonably sheltered from driving rain and where water isn’t going to sit around the mosaic. A sheltered wall, fence, patio or covered area is ideal.
It will weather
Remember that your mosaic is now living outside, so it will change over time – just like anything else that lives outdoors. The grout may weather or change colour, the slate will develop its own character and you may get a bit of moss or dirt appearing. Occasionally a piece may come loose or a little bit of grout may need attention. This is all normal for something that is living outdoors – especially in a Scottish garden!
Over the winter
If you live somewhere that gets frost, snow or very cold winters, you might prefer to bring your mosaic inside for the winter. It will help to extend the life of your mosaic and keep it looking its best. If you live somewhere with a mild climate, you may be perfectly happy to leave it outside all year round.
Cleaning
Give your mosaic a gentle clean every now and again. Use some warm water and a soft brush or cloth to remove any dirt, moss or algae. Please don’t use a pressure washer or anything too harsh, as this could loosen pieces.
And if it needs a little repair…
Don’t worry if, after a while, your mosaic needs some attention. If you’re local or planning to be in Central Scotland, you’re always welcome to bring it along to one of my Friday afternoon classes (get all the information and dates on the Studio 164 Falkirk website) and I’ll help you repair it. The Friday classes are a lovely, relaxed couple of hours where you can work on your own project, get some help from me and enjoy a speciality coffee and a snack too.
If you’re too far away to pop into a Friday class, just get in touch and send me a photo of it. I’ll do my best to advise you on how to repair it yourself.
Things do sometimes come loose or need a little attention – that’s part of having something handmade outside. There’s no need to throw it away. Get it touch and we’ll give it some love.
Or hang it indoors
Of course, your mosaic doesn’t have to live outside at all! Some people choose to hang their mosaics in their kitchen, bathroom or sitting room, where they can enjoy them all year round.
Most importantly…
Enjoy it! Whether you’ve made it yourself or bought one of my mosaics, you’ve got something unique, handmade and made to be enjoyed. Find a lovely spot for it, let it become part of your home or garden, and enjoy watching it change with the seasons.
