Turn An Old Frying Pan Into A Mosaic Masterpiece For Your Garden

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When you start to notice your frying pan losing its shape, its nonstick coating peeling, or its handle wobbling, it's time to retire it. But before you toss it into the trash, think about the possibilities for DIYs! With a bit of creativity and some patience, you can turn an old frying pan into a mosaic masterpiece for your garden. This DIY comes from internet creator @kamana21 on Instagram. They covered an old frying pan with small mirror pieces to create a mandala effect. Using some plaster, they filled all of the gaps between the pieces, added some paint onto the edges, and created a one-of-a-kind mosaic piece. 

The handle of the pan makes for a convenient way to display the mosaic; you can use it to either hang the mosaic from a tree or stick it into the ground. This is a great way to add an artsy aesthetic to your backyard with DIY mosaic, and it doesn't cost much. Outside of the pan, you'll just need a few basic supplies to get started. Plus, it might be the motivation you needed to get rid of that old pan and replace it with a fresh one

In order to do this DIY, you need small mosaic pieces like these Youway mirror mosaic tiles in silver. You can mix it up with some colorful pieces too, like these Lanyani mixed shapes glass mosaic tiles for crafts. Don't worry about leftover pieces after you're done; you can use them to make other stunning mosaic crafts down the line. You'll also need a bit of glue to secure the pieces on the pan, some mosaic grout powder, a bit of paint, cloths, and brushes. And of course, you need a pan. The flatter it is, the better. Think crepe or pancake pans, or other flat models. 

Start by covering the pan with white paint. When the paint is dry, use a pencil, ruler, a circle-drawing compass, or your imagination to create lines to follow with the mosaic pieces. When you're happy with it, take small pieces of mirror or glass, and attach them using glue around the lines. Leave empty spaces between the pieces: that's where the grout will go. Let this sit for however long it takes for the glue to dry; you'll need the mosaic pieces to be securely attached before grouting.

Now, mix your mosaic grout of choice into a thick paste, and fill in all the gaps. Use a spatula to help spread it evenly and make sure it gets everywhere. Let this dry for about 15 minutes before taking a wet sponge or cloth and removing excess grout from the pieces of mirror and glass. This step takes precision and time; make sure you're not removing too much grout from between the pieces, but do wipe all of them mostly clean. At this point, it should look nearly done. The following day, take a piece of cloth or paper towel and polish and buff the tiles. This is where you'll truly give them their shine back and remove any grout stains and powder.

While this is a pretty DIY, it's also useful. In the garden, reflective things like old CD-ROMs are often used to help keep pests off property. Whether you hang it or stick it into the soil, this pan DIY can help stun pests away and keep your garden safe. And of course, it's pretty.