From the page: The glass jar still has plenty of stories left in it
Idea 10
Colored glass sand granules
Sand is the raw material of glass — and glass can go back to looking like sand. Stained glass and mosaic artists have always used crushed pieces to create decorative granules; the physics here is simple: pulverized glass reflects light in thousands of tiny points, creating sparkle and texture that no pigment alone can achieve.
What you need
- Broken glass jars or leftover glass
- Thick cloth or a canvas bag
- Hammer or mallet
- Safety glasses and gloves
- White glue or glue for glass
- Dye of your choice (paint, fabric dye) to tint the glue
How to make it
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1
Put the glass pieces inside the cloth bag, wrap it up well and, wearing glasses and gloves, tap with the hammer until you get a fine granule; the cloth contains the shards and prevents accidents.
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2
Sift the material to separate the granules from the very fine powder — the uniform little bits are what create the glittering sand effect.
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3
With a brush, apply a generous coat of tinted glue to the surface of the jar, already in the color you want to see in the granules.
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4
Dip or sprinkle the glass granules onto the wet glue, covering everything, and press lightly with a spoon to set them.
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5
Let it dry thoroughly before handling; the clear glue disappears and what remains is just the sparkle of glass against glass.
Finishing touches
Work in bands of different colors to create landscapes inside the jar, like dunes and horizons. Use the granules as a decorative base for candles or artificial flower arrangements too.
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