What can be made from glass? What can be made from glass: DIY crafts and secrets of creating masterpieces. What can be made from small glass bottles.

Look around: glass surrounds us everywhere: mirrors, windows, lamps, door inserts, decorations and other interior items. Almost all designers have used it at least once to design their works, and they really appreciate the properties it has.

What kind of glass is there?

Glass can be different:

construction;
artistic;
liquid;
porous;
other.

Thanks to such diversity, craftsmen create unique kaleidoscopes and give their products unique shapes and outlines. You always want to touch glass; crafts made from it are fascinating. They are delicate and graceful, it seems that their production requires honed craftsmanship.

But many glass crafts can be made even by a beginner, if you have patience and are not afraid of painstaking work.

What can be made from this material?

Products can be completely different - it all depends on the imagination of the master. They have a certain character: household, decorative, aesthetic and others. It is a pleasure to give glass objects made by yourself to friends and loved ones.

The following crafts can be made from this material:

flower arrangements;
candlesticks;
waterfalls;
ornaments on glass;
crafts from broken glass;
installations on any subject;
Use when decorating glasses, chandeliers and other interior items.

But before you take on complex work, it’s worth practicing on simpler objects, for example, decorating a candlestick.

Candlestick decorated with coffee and glass

Any candlestick will do. TO outside carefully glue the coffee beans. You can use PVA glue.

Decorate only bottom part, to the middle. The glue should dry well, so leave the product for a while.

Paint the top part of the candlestick; you can add shine with nail polish. Aerosol paints must be applied using a sponge.

Wait until it dries.

Take shards from broken glass bottles, preferably transparent, colorless ones, and glue them to the top of the candlestick.

Their shape and location depend on your imagination. It is not recommended to wet such a product.

Broken glass paintings

At home you can make original beautiful paintings.

To do this you will need plywood, a finished drawing and many different pieces of broken glass.

You can draw the picture yourself or use templates.

The pieces need to be glued tightly to each other so that there are no gaps left.

Do not touch the glass until the glue is completely dry, so as not to move the pieces.

Handmade crafts made from broken glass always cause admiration.

In this way, you can make any interior items original: a mirror, a watch, a box. Glass pieces go well with beads, seashells, sparkles, and buttons.

Glass cover

It’s quite easy to make glass crafts at home, because you almost always have bottles of different colors on hand. They can be crushed into powder, but safety precautions must be observed - use gloves, a deep container, a special mortar, and glasses.

Use a brush to apply glue to the product, and then glass powder. When the glue dries a little, you need to coat it again. By analogy, powder can be used to paint pictures and decorate interior items.

Liquid glass

Many craftsmen make their own crafts from liquid glass. It can be purchased at construction or hardware stores. Stationery silicate glue can also be classified as a type of liquid glass. It is often used to imitate sea spaces.

You can decorate any piece of furniture. You can put shells, pebbles, beads or sparkles under a layer of liquid glass. The craft should not be touched until the material has completely hardened. To give the product volume, you can apply liquid glass in two layers.

Fusing at home is real. This, of course, will not be as bright and beautiful as that made by factory craftsmen, but it will turn out unique and made with your own hands.

Fusing is a glass baking technique. Using this technique from regular bottle you can make interesting things such as decorations, panels or stained glass. Products can be made either single-layer or in several layers, or you can create relief compositions.

Story

This technique was first used in Germany in the early 90s. Pieces of different colors were melted, and at a temperature of 800-900 degrees they merged into one whole. Now fusing is used in various branches of applied art, such as: art objects, decorative items, jewelry, original design windows and shop windows and so on. This type of creativity has become quite diverse.

Methods for making glass products

Pieces of the required size are cut out of multi-colored glass plates using a glass cutter or special tweezers. They are applied to each other, the future composition is assembled, and the gaps are filled with powder from glass plates (crushed pieces). Place in the oven for 18-22 hours (depending on the thickness and diameter of the glass) and close.

Fusing at home

In order to make something in the fusing style with your own hands, you will need:

special glass, crushed or in the form of plates (for a good connection of glass pieces, make sure that the COE indicator is the same everywhere);
oil glass cutter (oil is poured into the middle);
safety glasses;
tongs 2 pieces;
PVA glue and brush;
grinding machine;
special furnace for fusing.

First you need to decide on the craft. If you are doing this for the first time, then it is better to take something simple, for example, flowers or abstraction.

The cutting technology for this type is exactly the same as for regular glass. You need to use a glass cutter and then break it. If you have round or complex shapes, then after using a glass cutter, you need to pinch off the excess with tongs and smooth out the irregularities.

Then the pieces need to be glued to the glass base with glue (after baking there will be no trace of PVA left) and put into the oven for 6 hours at a temperature of 700 degrees.

Unfortunately, this technique does not produce clear contours. Therefore, if you want clarity, you will have to decorate the product using cloisonne enamel. And don’t forget to erase traces of the marker with alcohol (if you drew outlines with it).

This way you can make several tiles and insert them into the bathroom or kitchen, it will look original. Everything that your imagination allows can be done without special effort, the main thing is to have a stove, material and desire. A lamp, vase, frames, jewelry, Christmas tree decorations, dishes and much more will decorate your home and give it originality.

Step-by-step master class on making watches in fusing style

For work we will need:

glass;
glass rods;
frit;
ruler;
glass compass;
glass cutter;
marker;
emery block;
wire cutters, drill and glass drill bit;
glue.

Even the most simple work It’s worth starting with a sketch, so we make one. Then we select the glass by color and compatibility.

Using a compass, draw a circle on a transparent base.
The compass is attached like a suction cup, so there should be no problems with drawing a circle. Using wire cutters, remove the circle, biting off the glass a little at a time.
And knock with reverse side glass cutter handle.
The workpiece is ready, now pour some water to make a hole
Turn on the drill and add water
Make rays for the sun
Yellow glass (3 shades) cut into pieces
Attach them to the base
Set aside temporarily and make notes for the numbers.
Using wire cutters and a glass cutter, make a palm tree, elements and figures
Secure everything with glue
Scatter the frit
Place the product in the oven and lay out the rays, then place the round piece on top
Add clear glass between the beams. This will be the fastener
Close the oven and bake for 5 hours, then 7 hours to cool. Open the oven and remove the product.

Many people think that working with glass is difficult, but this is not so, if only there was a desire. This master class is proof that you can do the most amazing things and make any fantasy come true.

There may be options for the product with iodine, it looks very chic! And white light fusing (white glass) looks absolutely incomparable.

Glass products can be made both for yourself (home decoration) and as gifts for loved ones. You will definitely surprise everyone if you give a handmade vase or candy dish.

Inspiration to you and successful crafts!

Video:

Here's a video on how to create different products using fusing techniques:

The most interesting articles:

How to decorate glass

You will need
The process of how to decorate glass with your own hands
Examples of what can be done using the presented method

Is it possible old dishes turn into a New Year's masterpiece (especially if another one, which is not a shame to put on New Year's table, No)?

Certainly. We decorate the glass using the decorating techniques presented below.

You will need

Glass dishes (for the first time it is better to take dishes with a flat surface)
Masking tape
Pencil and eraser for drawing (you can do without them if you have a drawing template)
Stationery knife
Acrylic paint
Glass paint

The process of how to decorate glass with your own hands

1. Cover the glass with masking tape. In this case, each subsequent strip should slightly overlap the previous one.

Draw an image on the tape. In this case, the lines of the drawing should not be interrupted.

10 Crazy Cool Glass Bottle Ideas

Cut the outline of the image with a stationery knife.

4. Remove the tape from the areas you will paint.

5. Color the drawing. To do this, use a small piece of sponge.

Can be spray painted.

6. Wait for the paint to dry.

Remove the remaining tape. Be careful not to touch the paint on the glass.

This is what you get in the end.

Examples of what can be done using the presented method

When you train your hand, you can decorate any glass and get such beautiful objects.

So now you know how to decorate glass.

All that remains is to prepare the materials and get to work. If you don't have time right now, bookmark the page or print it out so you can find it quickly.

In this and several other articles I will talk about sea glass?

- a mysterious material that is used all over the world to create jewelry?

Is sea glass a human creation?

Mounting on glass at home

and nature?

Once upon a time at sea? glass? after many years it becomes the sea. It gets foggy and rough surface. Glass becomes rough from interaction with salty sea water and rough from friction with rocks and sand.

Are some sea glass specimens found by humans on the shore equally valuable as gemstones?

Well, I offer these glasses with my own hands.

I'll show you how to create a simulation of sea glass from improvised materials in the video course "Sea Glass with My Hands" ➡ HERE

Stained glass is the art of decorative glass.

Unusual handicrafts that you can make with your own hands from bottles

The classic stained glass window is to create a pattern by attaching colored glass with lead, copper and brass bulkheads. This method is definitely great, but it is quite complex and requires a certain amount of time and skill. Today, the process of creating stained glass has become much more accessible and easier.

The contemporary art market offers a line of colors, outlines, pastes and all kinds of auxiliary materials for glass decoration. In this section you can purchase all the necessary materials for transforming and decorating glass, ceramic, porcelain and plastic interior items.

Your most complex fantasies will be realized in real parts.

You'll need it first:

Glass chromatograph (marking pencil). You can simply sketch them onto a glass, ceramic, porcelain or plastic surface.

Relief, contour (in bulk in a tube with a fine tip to remove boundaries between colors on the glass).

Color (transparent colors).

In addition to these basic items, manufacturers also offer auxiliary media for creating additional effects, varnishes to protect products from environmental influences, various pastes with numerous textures, glazing for glass, decorative coatings for crushing products.

Liquid glass: application in construction

Silicate glue (liquid glass) is one of the most interesting and multifunctional materials used in construction. Despite the fact that the material became widely available relatively recently (about two decades), silicate adhesive has been used to impart strength to concrete and as a waterproofing agent for almost two centuries.

Liquid glass: composition and properties

The basis of liquid glass is sodium or potassium silicates.

They connect with aqueous solution alkali in order to obtain liquid glass itself. There are other ways to make this composition, but this is the most common.

The properties of silicate glue allow it to perfectly bond various materials. The molecules of the outer layer of any solid material have a greater distance between them, so there is room for liquid glass molecules. They, in turn, penetrating inside, release moisture, due to this the viscosity of the adhesive layer increases.

Therefore, liquid glass can be used as glue for linoleum or PVC boards.

Excellent adhesion allows the use of liquid glass for bonding materials of various structures with low adhesion (glass, ceramics, etc.)

Where is liquid glass used?

Waterproofing. In addition to being used as an adhesive, liquid glass has several other uses.

The most common way to use silicate glue is waterproofing.

This composition can be used to impregnate walls, floors, and foundations. For the foundation this is perhaps most important. Large quantity moisture, adverse effects atmospheric phenomena, precipitation and temperature differences make this part of the structure the most vulnerable.

Coating with liquid glass helps protect the foundation from damage and prevent its destruction.

This material is often used in the construction of swimming pools and other water containers, including wells, since liquid glass can effectively insulate the surface and seal even the smallest holes and cracks, preventing water leakage.

Varieties of DIY liquid glass crafts

First, liquid glass is applied to the walls, and then a waterproofing composition of sand, cement and glass.

Putty for water pipes is also prepared with the addition of liquid glass.

Antiseptic properties of liquid glass. Liquid glass is used as an antiseptic.

In this case, the material of the wall or ceiling does not matter. Such a coating will prevent the appearance of mold, fungus and other formations.

The solution for such impregnation is made from water and silicate glue in a one to one ratio.

This product is used to impregnate wood and is not recommended for use on other surfaces, because it forms a coating with very low adhesion, which does not allow further painting or plastering.

Increased fire safety. Liquid glass dissolved in water (400 g per 1 liter of water) is also used to treat surfaces.
This impregnation will also serve to increase the fire resistance of the structure (withstands temperatures up to 1200 degrees Celsius).

Thermal insulation.

Liquid glass is also used for the production of heat-insulating materials due to its low thermal conductivity. Also, insulation made on the basis of liquid glass can withstand repeated freezing and thawing without losing its properties.

Building mixtures with liquid glass

Primer with liquid glass. To prepare such a primer, cement and liquid glass must be taken in a 1:1 ratio.
First it gets ready cement mortar, which is then poured into liquid glass.

After thorough mixing, the primer is ready for use. If the mixture hardens too quickly, it must be diluted with water.

Plaster. You can also make wonderful waterproof plaster using silicate glue. To do this, cement and sand are mixed in a ratio of 1:2.5, to which 15% silicate glue is then added.

Composition for furnaces.

You can prepare a special refractory composition for laying bricks in fireplaces and stoves. To do this, 25% liquid glass is added to the standard cement-sand composition.

When making such a solution, you need to remember that it is better to prepare small portions - the composition hardens quickly.

Concrete and liquid glass. Silicate glue is often added to concrete during construction; this not only improves the properties of the solution, but also increases the waterproofing and fire-resistant properties of concrete.

Such material will subsequently be less likely to be subject to the formation of mold and mildew.
Adding liquid glass is justified from a cost-saving point of view. The material is low cost.

This method is used when it is not possible to apply the composition to the surface. For example, when further painting or plastering is expected.

And also when it is not possible to quickly use the solution. Concrete with liquid glass hardens much faster.
Thus, we can say with confidence that, despite the abundance on the market of various specialized products used in construction (antiseptic, fire-resistant, insulating, etc.), liquid glass is still not losing ground.

How to repair car glass

DIY fireplace decoration

Liquid glass: areas of application and composition

How can you temporarily replace broken window glass?

DIY stained glass master class

Glass is a very common item in the interior of modern housing. We find this material in windows, chandeliers, door inserts, all kinds of figurines and other decorative elements. In this article we will talk about what you can make from glass with your own hands, how you can make exclusive glass crafts with your own hands that will become the highlight of your home. Step by step instructions on choosing suitable materials at hand and master classes on making various cute little things will help you in needlework if you want to develop in this direction.

What kind of glass is there?

Their variety allows you to turn ordinary glass into real masterpieces:

liquid;
construction;
porous;
artistic.

What can be made from glass?

Using all kinds of techniques - decorating, melting, drawing, you can make completely different glass products with your own hands:

broken glass crafts;
ornaments on glass;
candlesticks;
chandeliers;
glasses;
flower arrangements;
paintings.

DIY liquid glass crafts

Liquid glass is a very popular material for creating decorative products, widely used by designers and creative individuals. It’s easy to work with, you can decorate it various surfaces, and create all kinds of elements - hair clips, earrings, beads, figurines, vases, flowers.

Important! Liquid glass can be purchased at a hardware or hardware store. Silicate glue can also serve as a good replacement, but it is less durable and hard compared to liquid glass.

In the interior, you can decorate any surface with liquid glass - to do this, just place various small objects under a layer of glass and let the glass harden.

Important! To add volume to the product, liquid glass is applied in two layers.

“The Seabed” - master class

The most widespread decoration of the surface is that of the seabed. Let's consider the stages of creating such a product.

You will need:

Acrylic paints.
Liquid glass.
Glass plate.
Plastic shells and sea decorations.
Sea fish.
Polymer clay from which you can sculpt sea animals.
Pebbles.

Stages of work:

Color in blue bottom of a glass plate and let the paint dry.
Place shells, pebbles, fish at the bottom of the plate, fill the entire surface with liquid glass.
Wait until it hardens completely.
If necessary, after this you can add more than one layer of objects, filling each layer with liquid glass.

Important! Using a toothpick, if desired, you can make waves, which will be the best imitation of water.

What crafts can be created using fusing?

The presence of glass of different colors allows you to create very beautiful and fascinating glass products with your own hands using fusing.

Important! This technique is based on baking glass blanks in special ovens, although microwave ovens are also used for small products.

Materials for work

For fusing you will need the following tools and materials:

Glass blanks.
Fireproof gloves.
Fireproof wipes.
Tweezers.
Glass cutters.
Special box for melting glass.

Basic technology

If you have the necessary materials and tools, the technology is simple:

Create a composition from pieces of glass - it can be made according to a preliminary sketch, using multi-colored or plain pieces of glass.
Melt in the stove. The result is a product with blurred effects, without a clear line of color transition when using multi-colored glass.

Important! Using this technology at home you can create pendants, jewelry, jewelry, New Year's toys to the Christmas tree. The presence of special ovens allows you to create large products - plates, paintings, vases.

Step-by-step master class on making watches in the Fusing style

To make watches using the Fusing technique, you will need the same materials and tools. The step-by-step execution steps are as follows:

First of all, you should draw a sketch of the future product.
A glass blank is cut out onto which a design will subsequently be applied - it can be a circle, square, oval.
Pieces of glass are cut out of multi-colored glass for a design.
A hole is made in the workpiece into which the clock mechanism will be inserted.
A drawing is laid out on a blank made from pieces of glass, according to the sketch. If necessary, you can use glue. If required, you can tint it with special paint for glass from 750 firing degrees.
The workpiece is transferred to the oven and baked.
All that remains is to insert the clock mechanism with the hands and place it in a convenient place.

Making a craft - a picture from broken glass

Let's talk about another idea of what can be made from glass.

Important! Do not rush to throw away a broken glass lampshade or vase, as well as multi-colored bottles. They can be used to create paintings that will be a unique addition to the design of your home.

Materials for work

To make a glass picture, you will need:

Glass – bottles and waste glass products.
Hammer.
Glass cutter.
Thick fabric.
Protective gloves and glasses.
Glue.
Frame.
Dye.
Tweezers.
Brush.
Sieve.
Toothpicks.
Beads.

Stages of making a glass painting:

Obtaining many glass shards of different colors. To do this, you can use a glass cutter to cut straight glass. In order to get fragments from bottles, you need to first wrap it in cloth, place it on the surface and hit it with a hammer.

Important! Flying debris can cause injury if it gets into your skin or eyes, so be sure to wear safety glasses and gloves.

Sift the resulting fragments through a sieve.
Draw a picture on a piece of paper. It can be anything from a simple butterfly to complex landscapes. If you don't have the ability to draw, you can print out a drawing template and color it with colored pencils (when creating a glass painting, it will be more convenient to stick colorful shards onto a colored drawing).
Place the drawing in a frame under the glass.
Proceed to gluing the glass shards to the glass surface. Squeeze the glue onto the glass and use tweezers (for pieces) or a toothpick (for beads) to stick the fragments of the corresponding color according to the pattern.
When the entire picture is pasted onto the glass, remove the picture. Paint the background of the frame in the appropriate color.
Wait for the glue and paint to dry and insert the finished applique into the frame.

The picture is ready!

Important! In this way, you can create paintings not only on glass, but also on chipboard.

DIY glass decor

Existing glass surfaces can be decorated with various elements, creating unique interior items.

Decorating a candlestick

With the help of simple improvised means you can do original candlestick. This DIY glass craft will delight your household and guests with its enchanting beauty.

For this you will need:

A glass candlestick or an object resembling one.
Glue.
Coffee beans.
Sea salt.
Glitter.
Acrylic paint or aerosol.

Stages of work.

Glue coffee beans in a certain order onto a glass object, and it is better to decorate either the top or the bottom of the object.
Paint the opposite part of the candlestick with paints.
While it's still wet, sprinkle with glitter.

Important! During use, such a candlestick should be wiped with a dry cloth - it is not resistant to moisture.

Decorating glass objects with sea salt

This option is ideal for making a photo frame. Manufacturing processes:

Important! You can further decorate it - decorate it with paints and/or sprinkle it with glitter.

Decorating glass with plasticine

You probably haven’t thought about the fact that you can make original paintings from glass and plasticine. Creating such a picture is similar to a picture of broken glass:

Print a stencil for glass decoration.
Place the stencil under the glass and trace the outline of the design onto the glass using a black marker.
Carefully, without going beyond the contours, fill the picture with plasticine, starting with the smallest details.
The background of the picture is also laid out in a suitable color of plasticine.
The picture filled with plasticine is inserted into the frame.

Decorating glass objects with broken glass

This method of decoration can be used to decorate not only vases, plates, but even the most ordinary jars. To do this you need the following:

Prepare the item you want to decorate, broken glass, glue, acrylic paints.
Glue shards of broken glass onto the surface of the object, while thinking about their combination.
Wait for the glue to dry completely.
Color your glass craft using paints.

Glass cover

It should be noted that glass can be used to make a beautiful coating:

To do this, first the glass must be crushed to a powdery consistency (crush into powder).
Apply glue and then glass powder to the object to be decorated using a brush.
Let the glue dry.
Apply glue on top again or coat the surface with varnish.

In this way you can decorate light bulbs, beads, various glass surfaces, and also draw pictures. This coating has a chic and rich color.

Important! Do not forget that working with glass at home is associated with the risk of injury, so be sure to use protective equipment.

Original crafts from glass bottles

Glass bottles, especially those with irregular shapes, are increasingly being used to create interesting and original crafts made of glass with your own hands. Let's look at some ideas that can add zest to the interior or exterior of your home:

Dishes - glasses, glasses, plates. A bottle cut crosswise will become a glass and a glass - the main thing is to polish the cuts so as not to cut yourself during use. As a stem for a glass from a bottle, you can use the stem from a broken glass or a cork.

Important! If you have friends in a glassblowing workshop, you can get an original set of flat plates from bottles (you won’t be able to make them at home).

Vases and flower pots. Decorating the bottle in different ways(decorate with patterns, make decoupage, wrap with threads), you can get a ready-made flower vase. A bottle cut into two parts can be used as a flower pot - pour soil into the neck and plant a flower, and pour water into the glass below.
Candlesticks for home and garden. From bottles you can create various options candlesticks that will create a cozy and romantic atmosphere.
Lamps. Cut bottles are suitable as shades for chandeliers and table lamps.

Important! And even this is not all that can be made from glass. If you have the appropriate idea and a little bit of your imagination, you can create:
Hangers and hooks for clothes.
Chairs and tables.
“Voice of the Wind.”
Walls and houses made of bottles.

DIY liquid glass crafts are a new trend in handicrafts that have gained particular popularity among home craftsmen. First, let's talk about how you can use this material as an auxiliary component. In particular, adhesive composition used for making homemade products from plaster. What might connect these materials? How to combine them with each other? There is no point in mixing gypsum with liquid glass, since both compositions belong to the category of fastening agents. But, nevertheless, there is a relationship between them.

When to use liquid glass for sculptures?

First of all, it all depends on the location of the craft. For example:

You have made a plaster cat piggy bank and placed it at home. No additional coating is needed, since the apartment is dry and no significant temperature fluctuations are expected.
If we are talking about decor for summer cottage, where there will be humidity from precipitation and seasonal temperature changes, it is impossible to do without additional coverage.

Important! As already mentioned, there is no point in adding liquid glass to plaster, but it is simply necessary to process the finished craft on top. This is due to the fact that liquid glass has excellent waterproofing properties. All that remains is to apply it to the surface of the plaster sculpture in several layers, and it will become invulnerable to snow and rain.

DIY liquid glass table

This is another option for using liquid glue as finishing coating wooden table top. Apply the composition in a spiral, from the center to the edges, leveling with a regular spatula.

Important! The surface of the tabletop must be strictly horizontal. Only in this case the surface will be smooth, like a mirror.

Glass crafts

Glass objects surround us. These are windows, decorative items, lighting fixtures, decorations, etc. Beauty, durability and unusual look This material is the reason why designers often use it to make a wide variety of things.

It turns out that making amazing glass crafts from liquid glass is not at all difficult. The main thing is patience, accuracy and the desire to complete this painstaking work.

DIY liquid glass products: what can you do?

There are a lot of varieties of crafts made from liquid glass. It all depends on your imagination. Handmade items will decorate the interior. In addition, this is a wonderful gift for relatives or friends. Far from it full list handmade options:

Flower arrangement.
Installation.
Painting.
Pattern on glass.
Decoration of lamps, glasses.

Let's consider the most simple options crafts. After practicing, you can move on to more complex things.

Candlestick

This product will be decorated with coffee beans and glass pieces. A candlestick of any design will do. So, let's get to work:

To begin, using liquid glass (it can be successfully replaced with PVA glue), carefully glue the coffee beans to the product.

Important! Decorate in this way only the lower part of the product, exactly halfway.

Wait until the glue is completely dry.
Paint the top part with spray paint.

Important! Apply the paint not directly to the candlestick, but using a cosmetic sponge.

After the paint has dried, glue broken glass shards to the top of the piece.
Use liquid glass as an adhesive. The shape of glass particles and their location depends only on your imagination.

Painting

To make a craft with liquid glass in the form of a painting:

To begin, draw any picture on a piece of plywood.
If you don't have any special artistic abilities, use templates.
Now for work you will need glue (liquid glass) and multi-colored glass pieces. They need to be glued very tightly so that there are no gaps.
Do not attempt to touch the pieces until the adhesive has completely cured.

Important! In the same way, you can decorate a box, watch, or mirror. Glass pieces go well with sparkles, beads, and sea shells.

Glass powder

Decorate various products You can also use glass powder (finely crushed broken glass). First, apply liquid glass to the surface to be decorated, then crushed glass powder.

Important! Using this technology, you can decorate interior items and create paintings.

Security measures

Liquid glass for DIY crafts is chemically neutral, fire- and explosion-proof. However, when working with it, certain precautions will not be superfluous:

Do not allow the adhesive to come into contact with the skin or eyes.
You should only work with the material in protective gloves, in a well-ventilated area.

If there is unnecessary glass in the house (whole or broken) that clutters up the space, do not rush to throw it away.

You can make it out of it beautiful product, or decorate existing items.

This good way put it into action this material , because handmade crafts and gifts are valued much more by people.

In this article we will tell you what can be done with whole or broken glass, how to make a herbarium in it or bake a flower, how to turn its surface into a matte or mirrored one, and other subtleties of craftsmanship.

Glass is universal material , used to create various items interior

Not only dishes and furniture are made from it, but also paintings and panels.

You can give a second life to even a broken object by using shards and fragments.

There are different types of glass, differing depending on application:

construction;
porous;
liquid;
artistic, finishing, etc.

Such a variety of materials allows a skilled person to create unique kaleidoscopes and make products of bizarre shapes and colors.

Many crafts Even a beginner can create it, the main thing is to have necessary tools, patience and desire.

First you need to determine what exactly you want to make from glass. There's a lot here depends on the author’s imagination and resources available.

All products can be divided into categories:

household;
aesthetic.

Here are just a few examples:

candlestick decoration;
ornaments on glass, flower compositions;
small souvenirs made of broken glass;
thematic installations;
decoration of household items - dishes, chandeliers, mirrors.

Let's figure out in order what items can be made from old unnecessary glass.

Shelf

Glass shelves are popular because can easily fit into any interior. In addition, they can withstand significant loads, although they seem fragile.

Glass furniture looks good in small rooms - because of its transparency, it seems less noticeable, so it does not visually take up space in the room.

The location must be accessible to adults, but out of reach of children(so that the child cannot hang on it).

To make a shelf you will need:

glass cutter (it is more convenient to use an oil cutter);
belt-type sander with abrasive sandpaper (grit value should be 120 units);
respirator, gloves and other protective equipment;
rulers (you will need to periodically check whether the layers are even).

It is created in the following order:

Aquarium

To make it yourself, you will need:

Silicate glass premium.
Glue, which contains silicone. Look carefully at the information on the packaging: it should indicate that it is suitable for aquariums (it does not contain antibacterial substances that harm fish and plants).
About 8 pieces of small corners, suitable for predetermined dimensions.

When gluing parts, you need to remember certain requirements:

the seams must be thick, at least 2-3 mm;
The outer edges must be sanded, and those under the glue must not be touched.

The build process itself looks like this:

Do not rush to immediately “transport” fish and other marine life here. Swipe 3-5 hour hydrotest– fill it with water and check whether the structure does not allow liquid to pass through, whether the seams are leaking, etc.

Now you have an idea of how to make an aquarium yourself at home.

Greenhouse

Glass is often used in the construction of wooden or metal greenhouses. This classic version greenhouse structures, which allows you to maintain the necessary microclimate inside.

If you have a lot of leftovers window glass, they can be successfully used to create a greenhouse.

Such a structure has walls and a roof made of glass, which provides a number of advantages:

The greenhouse can be used all year round. The material retains its transparency, structure, appearance and thermal insulation properties.
Having connected the heating to it, you can grow plants in winter. In summer, transparent glass allows light to pass through, allowing plants to grow.
Glass withstands abrasive influences and is easy to clean.
Walls of the structure Can be easily replaced if damaged. Replacement is inexpensive, and used glass is suitable for this.
Glass does not emit harmful substances or odors even when exposed to heat. It's environmentally friendly pure material, which is still easy to care for. Glass is resistant to chemicals used for cleaning.
The reinforced or tempered type (thermal glass) can withstand large hail and other adverse weather conditions.

In addition to all these properties and attractive appearance, lasting for years, this design has disadvantages:

It is necessary to select a reliable frame and prepare a strong foundation (a strip foundation can withstand such loads), since glass characterized by increased mass. You wouldn’t say so at first glance, but the material weighs a lot: for example, glass is 4 mm thick square shape weighs about 10 kg, and the mass of a 6 mm layer is 1.5 times greater.
Building a glass greenhouse will not be cheap.
The glass resists shock and mechanical impacts poorly.
Glass has high thermal conductivity, so it heats up and cools down quickly. This is especially harmful to plants during daily temperature changes. Therefore, you need to take care of the system for maintaining the desired temperature inside the room.
A glass room can only be built in the form of a house.

It all starts with preparation:

Creating a drawing of the future greenhouse, determining its dimensions.
Choosing a suitable location. It is necessary to take into account the level of lighting, orient the room so that the heat is distributed evenly.
Taking into account the wind direction in a given area. It is best to protect the structure on the leeward side with some object (shrub or other small obstacle).
Determination of soil and relief features. You need to choose a dry and level place.
Calculating the distance of the greenhouse to the nearest source of electricity and water supply. The closer you get, the easier it will be to build a system for heating and watering plants.

Below is shown where should not be placed greenhouse If you do wrong choice, the greenhouse may collapse, or the plants being grown will grow more slowly.

A reasonable solution would be to create a wall-mounted greenhouse. This will save area, reduce the distance to water and electricity and spend less money on construction.

Below is a typical drawing. If desired, it can be changed according to the desired dimensions.

Based on drawing are elected building materials . The foundation must be at least 0.5 meters in height and have a strong frame - metal or wood (bars or profiles measuring 5 by 5 cm, the distance between the posts is up to 0.8 m, based on the size of the glass and the frame itself).

Can be used different types glass Main, so that they match the dimensions of the frame. For example:

single (2.5 mm thick) suitable for side walls installed in wooden frame small sizes;
double (up to 3.5 mm) cannot be used as a top window;
showcase (6 mm) will become a strong wall, but will need reliable fastening and supports;
multi-layer will work in almost any part.

Choose glass based on the purpose of the structure.

If the greenhouse contains tropical plants, it is better to use multi-layer glazing, which will reduce the cost of internal heating.

Regular glass is also suitable for greens and vegetables.

Double-glazed windows provide the best growth. There are several types:

single-chamber;
two-chamber;
heat-saving;
energy saving.

Double-glazed windows from old plastic windows are perfect.

Will need to prepare the following building materials:

support corners;
wooden beams or metal bases for each side of the frame;
beams;
polyurethane foam and hardware;
glass or double glazing;
sealant (for fixing and insulating glazing);
door parts (handle, lock, hinges);
corners on which wooden parts will be attached.

Cords, pegs, containers, buckets and shovels are needed for marking and preparing the foundation. A hacksaw, chisels, glass cutter, electric planer and construction level will be needed when assembling the greenhouse.

Now that everything is ready, we’ll tell you in detail how to make a greenhouse.

Assembly is carried out in the following order:

At the selected location, you need to level the soil and remove vegetation. Make markings for the trenches by installing pegs and cords.
We dig trenches according to the intended markings (depth 0.4 m, width 0.2 m). Let's plan the bottom of the pit, fill it with a 10-centimeter layer of a mixture of crushed stone and sand.
We assemble the formwork and check the height of the edges. We lay welded mesh or steel reinforcement and attach anchors to the frame.
We prepare concrete (a mixture of cement and sand 1:3 with the addition of crushed stone and water). Pour in the resulting solution and give it time to harden.

We lay two layers of roofing felt directly on the surface of the foundation. They will provide protection wooden frame from moisture. Processing wooden blanks antiseptic.

Screw the frame support bars to the anchors, then make holes in the bars on which the glass will be attached.

We fasten the racks and beams.

Make sure the structure is upright. Install the braces and fix all elements with metal corners .

Connect all the remaining elements together. Check everything first for cracks and gaps, then make sure the structure is durable. When it is clear that the greenhouse retains heat, bring all the plants into it.

Colored mosaic

A special mosaic - smalt - is suitable for decorating surfaces. But if it is not available, you can use colored broken glass. By the way, smalt is also made from broken glass; you can read about it in detail.

To do this kind of work, you need to prepare:

drawing, glass base for mosaic (or plexiglass);
glass cutter, wire cutters and a special breaker for working with glass;
colored glass from which the mosaic will be made;
medical syringe, which is useful for applying the material;
transparent silicone;
tile grout (black).

Consider making a mosaic in the shape of a butterfly.

So, the finished drawing needs to be transferred from paper to a glass base. Using tools, we cut out wings from colored glass. Then we cut it out with a glass cutter.

After they are separated from the base, you need arrange them into a prepared drawing.

The pieces of glass need to be coated with silicone, then glued to the glass base. For this you will need a medical syringe.

When you glue the fragments together, leave gaps between them. They will need to be filled with grout later.

The seams need to be rubbed only after the silicone has grown.

Be sure to wear rubber gloves. The grout itself dilute according to instructions located on the package with the substance. The end result will be a mixture as thick as sour cream.

We apply it to the mosaic.

As you can see, it covered the entire surface of the product, and the seams are securely sealed. All that remains is to remove the excess mixture from the glass. Do it you can use a wet sponge.

The procedure for creating any other mosaic is similar; the specifics of the work will vary slightly depending on the design.

Here is an example of another product made using the same technology:

As you can see, the mosaic is a universal technique, with which you can decorate absolutely various items interior using broken glass.

The main thing is to draw the contours in advance so that the resulting drawing looks organic.

Herbarium and flower in glass

This is a very unusual, rare and beautiful fake. This technique allows you to “immortalize” any flower (or other object) in glass, making it into a decoration (for example, a pendant).

Naturally, in order for the sheets to be visible, you need to use only transparent glass (intended for fusing or regular glass).

The only tools you may need are a special oven, a glass cutter and a machine for grinding the edges of glass.

Needs to be cut and sharpened two circles of equal diameter, the dimensions of which will fit the flower. Plus, you need to leave a little space if you want to make a pendant (a hole will be made in a small area for the cord).

By the way, this is a difficult operation to predict the end result. Difficult to control the process: The grass may burn completely, or a clear silhouette will remain.

To minimize possible damage, it is better to paint the flower in advance: even if the leaves fade, the paint will retain the original shape of the flower and remain inside the glass.

You can approach the matter artistically by coloring the flower with transitions of shades.

You need to use only fusing paints - they do not fade at high temperatures. After applying it, you need to let it dry.

We put the painted plant between the pieces of glass and put it in the oven.

Need to pick up correct mode baking. It is selected depending on the glass used. The approximate range is 740-800 degrees.

Please note that between the pieces of glass air bubbles may form. If after baking there are few of them and their sizes are small, they can further decorate the product.

If the plant burns out only partially, it may turn out a little lacy and fibrous.

Photo frame

A more difficult operation will be decorating frames, panels and paintings.

Before making a frame with glass, you will need to prepare:

fiberboard sheet suitable size (dimensions are selected based on the intended design);
broken glass (transparent and colored);
acrylic paints, gouache or ink;
glue.

A thick layer of acrylic paint is applied to the fiberboard sheet. Upon request, can be coated with one or more shades. This is necessary to prepare the background. When everything is dry, the sheet needs to be inserted into the frame of the future product.

Then, on the future panel or painting, you need to apply the contours of the planned design using a stencil or by hand.

This is why ink or gouache was needed - to circle the outlined lines twice and glue the fragments along them.

Having pasted them in the background area, you need to let the product dry.

Mirror

The easiest way is to decorate mirrors using shards (colored or transparent). This can be done with vases, candlesticks, and trays.

Since the essence of the decoration is gluing pieces of glass, be sure to wear rubber gloves before starting work; they will protect your hands from cuts and allergies to substances contained in the glue.

On the surface of the object you need pre-mark the pattern, along which the fragments will be laid out. Only ceramic glue is suitable, layers of which must be applied using a special tool - scrapers.

If transparent pieces of glass were used, they can be painted with acrylic paint designed for working on glass.

After the layer with the fragments has dried a little, the holes between them can be sealed tile putty or mosaic cement. You need to act carefully, but there will still be excess. You can remove them using a damp cloth.

This is what mirror frames made in this style look like.

You can decorate in a similar way:

frames for photographs, mirrors, paintings;
flower pots;
caskets;
drawers;
countertops and other items.

accurately calculate the number of pieces of glass (prepare paint to finish painting the transparent pieces);
apply clear markings and indicate where and what layer will need to be laid.

Other items and decorations

The list of crafts is not limited to this. Here's how else you can decorate your interior.

Picture made from multi-colored glass cullet

All work can be done at home, having prepared in advance:

plywood;
finished drawing;
a bunch of colorful pieces of broken glass.

Plywood is needed as a base-frame on which the drawing with glued pieces of glass will be held. The picture itself can be drawn in advance, or you can take a suitable template.

The pieces should be glued so that they fit tightly to each other. Better to use more stable glue. Try to ensure that they follow the lines, observing the pre-planned color scheme of the drawing.

Do not touch the glass under any circumstances until the glue has dried, otherwise there is a risk of moving the pieces from their original location.

In addition to pieces of glass, you can use other elements for decoration:

beads;
seashells;
glitter;
buttons, etc.

Drawing using fusing technique

You can make a multi-colored picture using either mosaic or fusing techniques. It involves baking pieces of glass, pre-folded into a specific pattern. The whole operation carried out in a muffle furnace on high temperature(at least 800 °C).

For the first time this technique appeared in the 90s. in Germany, and it was based on another, more ancient way glass processing – “hot enamel” technique.

The main task is to correctly position glass elements, to as a result heat treatment they merged into one. Consequently, the material becomes homogeneous; there are no metal compounds in such a product.

The image completely depends on the artist: you can make it more voluminous, convex, leave some areas flat, increase the thickness and relief of the stained glass.

All scattered parts are laid out on a glass base - the most even and flat surface possible. Thanks to this, the illusion of perspective, volume, and depth of the product is created.

The use of colored pieces allows you to expand the color range. This is precisely why a glass base is needed, because when working on metal plate, such an effect cannot be achieved.

This product is also quite durable. It practically does not age, the color remains unchanged.

The only drawback in the heat treatment itself is this technique will not allow you to get clear image contours. Colored pieces inevitably float on top of each other, resulting in an effect similar to watercolors.

Using liquid glass

Advanced craftsmen can create crafts using.

You can buy this material at a hardware or hardware store. Or use other types of liquid glass, for example, stationery silicate glue, which is often used to imitate sea spaces.

But such a substitute will be less durable and hard than liquid glass.

Almost any item can be decorated with this material.

After applying a layer of liquid glass, apply decorations on it - pebbles, shells, beads, sparkles, etc.

If you want to do decorative elements more voluminous, apply two layers of liquid glass.

With liquid glass quite easy to work with. You can use it to decorate the surfaces of various objects or make your own decorations:

hairpins;
earrings;
brooches;
figurines;
vases, etc.

You can decorate your interior with liquid glass in a simple way– apply small objects to a layer of glass according to a pre-designed pattern, then allow the product to cool.

Decor elements

What can you do if you only have small broken glass on hand? It can be turn into powder and use as decoration.

To grind it into powder, safety precautions must be followed:

use gloves and safety glasses;
Find a container that is deep enough and strong enough.

The resulting broken glass powder is applied to the selected item in areas where glue was previously applied. Once the glue dries, you can cover it with another layer. By analogy, powder can be used to paint pictures and decorate interior items.

In addition to glass, you can additionally decorate objects with the following materials:

shells (sea or river) and shells;
beads or beads of a suitable size;
walnut shells and other available materials.

The task is to select smart combination all decorative materials, then the product will look beautiful and organic.

Making black, white and colored paint for glass at home

How can you make glass colored, white, or apply a design on it at home?

Glass surfaces must be treated with special paints that have good adhesion to smooth surfaces. Conventional paints and varnishes are not capable of this, so the coating wears off quickly.

The composition of the paint should not be too liquid, and it should be applied in thin and translucent layers.

Acrylic paints are best suited for liquid glass. They have good adhesion, and on surfaces they look like a matte film. Even when mixed, they retain color purity and are resistant to ultraviolet rays.

You can paint the surface with polyurethane mixtures. This is an elastic substance that instantly hardens on glass. The layers are perfectly transparent.

You can make the compositions yourself.

Here are a couple of recipes:

White paint is prepared by mixing four parts silicate glue and one part kaolin (it must be thoroughly ground).
Black shades are created by mixing one part charcoal with three parts silicate glue and one part printing ink. The resulting mixture must be filtered.

Various colored dyes can be made using special fabric dyes.

The procedure is as follows: dissolve 5 g of gelatin in 200 ml of water, then dilute the necessary dyes in a separate bowl. The required shade is obtained by gradually mixing the contents of two prepared solutions.

Prepare the following tools in advance to paint glass with paint:

spray;
end brush with bristles;
a paint roller or a foam swab.

You need to pre-treat the glass:

Wipe the glass with soapy water, then rinse first with warm and then with cold water.
Apply acetone to degrease the glass. Traces of solvent can be removed with a simple dry cloth.
Those areas that do not need to be painted should be protected. Apply one or two coats masking tape to such areas.

Instructions for painting glass at home:

Prepare the mixture and pour it into a small container (this will make it easier to apply paint to the surface).
Paint glass using a brush, spray gun, foam pad or roller. Follow, so that the layers are distributed evenly over the entire surface.
When the paint is dry, remove the pieces of masking tape. If some areas are poorly colored, apply an additional layer.

How to make it opaque?

You can achieve a matte glass texture:

chemical and mechanistic methods;
using a sandblaster.

Follow the instructions below and you will learn how to make glass opaque.

It is easier and safer to use a mechanical method based on the use of abrasive paste or sand.

You need to take polished glass with a thickness of 4 to 6 mm, place it on flat surface, placing a thick cloth under it.

Thin spatulas need to be nailed to the sides of the glass so that it does not slide on the table.

Prepare sand (river sand or corundum sand is best: it scratches glass more smoothly), then sift it through a sieve until smooth.

Then apply sand to a board measuring 20 by 30 cm and moisten it with water. Place glass on top of the board, and any weight on top of the glass so that it presses it tightly to the surface.

Move the board parallel to the side edges of the glass. Do not make circular movements under any circumstances.

Moisten the sand as it dries.

Periodically check whether the matting process is successful by removing sand from the surface and holding the glass up to light. Continue the procedure until you get the expected result.

Create a mirror surface

How to make a mirror? First you need to polish our glass by wetting its surface with water.

Will be required in advance prepare the following items:

glass;
containers in which the solution will be prepared and mixed with silver;
rubber gloves;
silver (nitrate) and tin (bichloride);
distilled water, caustic potassium or soda;
honey, ammonia and formaldehyde;
alcohol, cotton wool;
clear varnish;
glass rod and nitric acid;
a spray bottle that will be used to apply the mixture to the glass, plus a brush with soft bristles;
frame or wooden sheet with clips;
dye.

We put on rubber gloves and carry out all work exclusively in them.

Next, when you manipulate the glass, hold it carefully by the edges, otherwise you risk blur smooth surface . This is important because the material will need to be frequently dragged from place to place, washed and various substances applied to it.

The procedure is as follows:

We wash the glass with distilled water and crushed chalk. All sides must be clean, incl. ends.
We treat the surface with a degreasing alkali solution (sodium or potassium, containing about 10%).
Rinse the glass again with distilled water.
Wipe clean glass with a cotton swab dipped in a 1% solution of stannous chloride. Then immediately place the mirror in a container filled with distilled water. Let it get wet.
While the glass is poured, clean and degrease (with the same alkaline solution) the container in which you plan to silver the glass. Please note that the surface temperature of the future mirror in water should be 10 degrees higher than that of the solution induced for silvering.

Will be required prepare two solutions with the contents with which the glass will be coated. Use only distilled water:

The first solution consists of silver nitrate (1.6 g) and water (30 ml). After mixing them, watch what kind of sediment you get. Drip 25% ammonia into it until it disappears, then add another half cup of water.
Pour a 40% formaldehyde solution (5g) into the second container with divisions.

Place the glass horizontally on the surface prepared for silvering.
Now start covering the glass: pour the resulting solution into the middle, roll it out in an even layer using a glass rod. Or lower the glass into the chemical mixture so that the silver does not fall on the opposite side.
The solution needs to harden. To “mirror” it needs 3-10 minutes, depending on the initial temperature of the mixture.
When everything is dry, you need to place the mirror vertically. While the silver layer is not fixed, it may be damaged, so lean the product against the support with the untreated side.
The mirror needs to dry for 2 hours at temperatures up to 100 degrees.
Inspect the received product. Silver stains can be wiped off with cotton wool and a solution of nitric acid.
Rinse the mirror first in water and then in alcohol.
The silver layer should have cooled by this time. Spray it with clear varnish from a spray bottle.
When the varnish is dry, paint the darkened surface. Then paint the silvered part with red lead, diluting it in turpentine. The glass part must be wiped with a solution of nitric acid.
Let everything dry and look at the result. If everything suits you, all that remains is to place the mirror in a frame with clips.

How to make a hole?

A hole in the glass can be drilled using:

drills with flexible shaft;
dental burs.

The structure itself machinable, but you need to take into account the fragility of glass. Therefore, it is necessary to calculate the force and impact points, as well as the operating procedure.

The processing should not lead to cracks, breaks and chips on the main surface, otherwise the entire product may break.

Before making a hole, you need to prepare the glass for processing. The working surface must be cleaned and leveled. Watch for defective areas - under mechanical stress they can chip and damage the workpiece.

First, make markings: mark the lines of future holes so that surface flaws are located inside the circle and do not extend beyond its limits. Additionally You can treat the surface with chemicals, ridding it of oil traces.

Determine where the work will be done. You need to prepare the fixing equipment.

The method of glass fixation itself is determined based on the chosen technology for creating the hole.

Typically, the workpiece is placed in a vice, and under the areas that will be affected, a damping soft materials.

What if you need to make a small hole?

Miniature holes can be drilled using a drill and drill. A drill is required first:

heat up;
immerse in sealing wax and hold until the substance begins to melt;
moisten the tip in turpentine.

After this you can start working.

The second option is:

Grind camphor and coarse sandpaper particles.
Pour the resulting elements into a small container and then dilute them with turpentine. Place this paste on a clean glass surface blanks.
Prepare a small section copper wire. It will need to be clamped in the drill chuck. This type of equipment needs to be guided, so prepare a guide jig (plywood).
The preparation is completed. You can start drilling.

Large holes in glass are made in a different way. If necessary diameter exceeds 10 cm, household equipment will not help here.

You can still drill, but you must first make a small through point in the center of the future hole.

Any small-format glass of small diameter (up to 1 cm) can handle this. Extraneous chips will occur, but this is not a big deal: they form in areas that will later be removed.

Having received a small through opening, you need to insert and secure a piece of wire into it.

One end is fastened with a glass cutter. After checking whether the elements are securely fixed and Does the tool move smoothly in a circle?, you can cut a circle.

If you can't drill a hole, you can melt it. You will need to prepare equipment in which liquid tin or lead will be prepared. The glass blank is treated with gasoline, acetone or alcohol.

Having made the markings and formed the area for the future hole, the resulting area is sprinkled with moistened sand.

It should be enough to create a funnel, the bottom of which will be comparable in size to the edges of the hole, then metal is poured into it.

After 1-2 minutes it will cool down, and the sand equipment can be removed along with the mold.

As a result, in a glass blank a hole with smooth edges is formed. The risk is only in the melting process itself: it is impossible to control the diameter that is formed after the interaction of glass and metal.

The last option is to cut the hole using a soldering iron. You need to start by creating risks using a needle file.

Carefully mark the zones in which the melt will be made with a soldering iron in depth.

Then you need to warm up the tip and start cutting. Proceed slowly and carefully.

Better melt small sections, periodically cooling the glass (this will reduce the risk of deformation in nearby areas).

The result will be exactly the opposite of the above method:

the boundaries of the intended diameter of the hole will be maintained;
the edges will turn out uneven.

Video on the topic

Conclusions

As you can see, unnecessary or broken glass is suitable for decorating a room with handmade items. The main thing is desire and imagination.

You can also decorate other glass containers.

If you don’t want to work on crafts, don’t throw away the glass anyway. Take it to or into a special container for collecting glass.