Repurposing a Broken Stem Glass
Repurposing a broken stem glass is an art in itself. Floors, furniture, and walls have been plastered with the remains of a good wine glass just because people wanted to keep it for sentimental reasons.
It takes a special kind of person to repurpose a broken stem glass instead of just throwing it away. If you like a good DIY project that can also be art then today’s article is for you!
How can you repurpose broken stem glass? There are several ways to repurpose broken stem glass. You can use them as vases or flower pots, candle holders, or even pencil holders just to name a few of the most common options.
The only limitation is your creativity and time. In most cases, you will just need some glue and a little bit of time to create some very cool things from those broken stem glasses.
In this article, I will go over a few different ideas and by the end, you will have tons of options! So get your glass pieces ready and let’s go!
Stemless Glass
The first way to repurpose a broken stem glass is by simply turning the glass into a stemless one. If the only damage to the glass was the stem, you can carefully remove the stem and use it as a glass still or a bowl.
- For this, you will want to first carefully remove all pieces of the stem.
- Once you’ve reached the bottom of the glass, you will need to carefully use a power tool or glass sander to smooth the bottom from any sharp edges.
- If this isn’t working to the point that it is smooth and can still stand then you will need to try a different project.
A New Stem
If the above method doesn’t work to make it stemless, consider adding a new stem. This can be done in a few different ways. You can find a new unique holder to glue to the bottom of your glass. For example, you could glue on a wooden block or even a marble.
If you’re ambitious and have the time then try carving out a unique holder yourself! To do this you’ll want to use a sturdy but easily carved wood like pine or cedar.
Candle Holder/Vase
If the usefulness of the glass by you is gone then use it for something else! Again, if just the stem itself was damaged – the glass can be used in a variety of ways! The first idea that comes to mind when thinking of repurposing a broken stem glass is turning the glass into a candle holder or vase.
This option is simple and can be done with just some glue, paint, and whatever you want to decorate the glass with. You can place the glass onto a new holder or stand and put whatever you’d like in it. You can also use some twine or wire to create a hanging decoration for a plant or candle.
Candle Stick/Vase
For those with a little more skill, you can create a candlestick or vase from your broken stem glass. This option requires taking the glass and carving it down to the size you would like it to be.
It takes patience and a steady hand but once you’ve finished it will look fantastic! The second part to this is you can paint or decorate the glass however you would like. Once complete, the glass can be used in several ways.
Intact Stem of Glass
In some situations, the exact opposite happens – the glass breaks but the stem is untouched. When this happens, there are a few things you can do with the intact stem! You can use the stem for several decoration ideas.
One idea is to use the glass stem as a holder for a fancy plate or bowl. With a little glue, you can instantly create a new interesting dish. Use it to display cupcakes or other small treats at your next party!
You could also add the stem onto a candle holder and add one of your favorite candles into it. This can create a vintage-looking vintage holder that was free! Don’t forget to decorate it how you would like.
You can also try to find a flat bottomed glass to attach to the stem. You now have a brand new wine glass!
Completely Broken Glass
The above options are for situations where the glass wasn’t completely broken. Unfortunately most of the time, that’s not the case. I’ve had my fair share of clumsiness that resulted in shattered glass. If that’s the case – don’t fret! There are a few options.
One idea is to make a mosaic out of your glass pieces. To do this, you will want to start with a piece of paper and carefully sketch out the image or design you would like for your mosaic.
Using your glass pieces, place them on top of your image and slowly press it down. For this to be successful you will need to use a clear adhesive so that no smudging occurs. You can also use a spray adhesive or even double-sided tape to hold the pieces down.
Once you have your glass in place, carefully apply a small amount of glue on top and press down again. Make sure that it is attached securely to the paper underneath. Continue this until all of your glass has been used!
Bigger Projects
As I first mentioned in this article, broken glass has been used for the most beautiful and epic creations! For these large-scale projects, you need more than one broken glass. If you have an idea in mind for a large project like this, then make sure to save the pieces of any glass that gets broken.
You can also save any glass jars or bottles you get from the grocery store. If you don’t want to wait until you have enough saved, you can hit up your local thrift store and buy glasses to break.
Keep the glass stored in a safe, secure, and temperature-controlled place. Plan out your project and figure out how much glass you think you’ll need. Once you think you have enough, start thinking about your design. Some options are glass floors, mosaic-covered furniture, or even stained glass!
Glass Floors
Yes, you can create a beautiful statement floor using broken glass! Make sure you do plenty of research beforehand or consider hiring an expert for this project. It’s also crucial to make sure that the temperature of where your glass will be placed is controlled.
The last thing you want is for the room to get too cold and have your floor shatter! You will need to use a product like grout or cement to adhere the glass together while allowing it to still be seen. And you will also want to use pieces that are about the same thickness so you don’t have to struggle to get an even base.
Mosaic-Covered Furniture
If you have a bench or table that is just too plain, consider covering it with a glass mosaic! This is a great way to add color and interest to your furniture while also giving it a unique look.
Doing this does come with its own set of challenges. You will need to have lots of patience and know-how to use tools like a hammer and chisel. You will want to break up the glass into tiny pieces and then use adhesive (like grout) to cement it onto your furniture.
Stained Glass
Stained glass is an art form that has been around for centuries! You can create beautiful window decorations or even chandeliers using this project.
For this, you will need more than just a few broken pieces. You will want to collect as many different-colored pieces as possible to create the best look.
Once all of your glass is collected, you can lay them out on top of a large piece of paper and start gluing them down until you have the look that you are going for!
What Glue Should Be Used With Glass?
There are many options when it comes to what adhesive you should use with your glass pieces. The most common option is a clear grout or cement that can be purchased at any hardware store.
Another great option is epoxy resin glue, which will provide the strongest hold and can even handle humidity.
Additionally, using smaller pieces of glass will make a stronger bond. If you are using pretty thick pieces, the adhesive may not be able to hold them together. You can also use a spray adhesive which will help the smaller pieces stick together more easily.
Can You Paint Glass?
Since most glass is clear, many wonder if they can paint it. The answer is yes! You can do this in one of two ways.
The first option is to mix a small amount of paint with grout or cement and use it as your adhesive; this way will make the color permanent. Or, if you want the color to be temporary then opt for acrylic paint or spray paint.
How To Recycle Glass?
If your project didn’t work out or you decided you don’t have the time to repurpose your glass, then you should recycle it. You can take broken glass to most recycling facilities that will have the tools to crush up your pieces into tiny bits. Please check before dropping it off that you are taking it to the right spot!
Now that you know how to repurpose a broken stem glass, try out some of these ideas! Thanks for reading and good luck!