My husband and neighbor are building a deck for us this summer. I am not much into the construction, my job will be to find some decor as cheaply as possible.

I was thinking about getting some terra-cotta pots and decorating them with mosaics to match our style. I have been reading up on mosaic, just a bit. I went to Michaels, and was shocked at the price of grout, concrete mix, etc. They of course have everything all packaged up and labeled mosaic (fill-in-the-blank) kit. Years ago, I made a stepping stone for my garden and used some tile. I think my friend and I just used an old round cake pan, concrete, and some broken tiles. So, I'm thinking there has got to be a cheaper way to do this! I am planning on doing some practice things first, and then moving onto maybe some pots or wall hangings.

Does anyone have ideas of where to go to get cheap materials?

You guys are the greatest, thank you!

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Darcilew

I would check at your lumber stores some of them have an area that has discounted products and at times you can find these things there usually the bags have been opened by accident so they retape them and then mark them down. Also if you have a recycling center sometimes they have a part where people bring in paint/cement/grout & other items that they no longer need and you are able to take them for free.

For tile, you can also use broken up plates, I would check at second hand stores or garage sales for these, you can usually get plates for around $0.25-0.50 a piece.

For molds you could even check at the second hand stores and garage sales.

Also, another idea for items to use for mosaics are small rocks, small shells or gluing moss around. If you like to paint you could use a Mosaic Stencil
Wall Stencils Mosaic Floor Stencil Interior Design