Editorial, photos and video by Skaie Knox, HomeJelly
There is a sort of mystique about finding a beautiful piece of sea glass nestled in the sand. After tumbling in the waves for weeks and sometimes years, bottles, jars, and even glass from shipwrecks is broken down into small, smooth bits we beachcombers call “sea gems”.
Today’s simple sea glass-inspired craft project shows you how to DIY decorative sea glass bottles, votives and vases from recycled, or bought glass items. Capture both the wabi-sabi-ness of naturally distressed glass as well as the beautiful colors of the coast, then add sand, pebbles, candles and/or grass to imbue an air of the ocean into your home’s decor.
Supplies:
- uniquely shaped glass bottles votives and vases*
- mod podge matte
- food coloring
- dish soap (i.e. Dawn)
- foam paint brushes
- frosted spray
Instructions:
1. Mix Mod Podge with food coloring. Pour mod podge in a bowl, add 4 drops of blue, 1 drop of green for aqua blue. For light green: 1-2 drops of green. For a brighter green: 1 drop of blue + 1 drop of yellow. Have fun experimenting with shades!
2. Mix in dish soap. Add a few drops to each bowl of colored mod podge and mix.
3. Paint glass pieces. Put down newspaper/craft paper/paper bag for easy clean-up. Cover entire OUTSIDE of glass by painting with sponge brush in ONE direction- vertically. Allow to dry 30 minutes. Add another coat, horizontally to create a unique texture. Allow to dry. Tip: Use smooth brush strokes, using the colored mod podge sparingly. Wipe up drips ASAP.
4. Apply frosted finishing spray. Flip over glass piece, spray on one coat to protect color. Allow to dry. For a frostier look, add a second coat. Allow to dry. Note: this color application is for decorative use only. To clean exterior glass, wipe with a soft dry cloth. To clean interior, wipe with a damp sponge, then dry with a soft towel.
TOP TIPS: *Visit your local thrift store or dollar store to find interesting-shaped glass bottles. *To be ecologically-friendly, opt for cruelty-free starfish + shells, which allow sea creatures to remain in their natural habitats.
1 Comment
Mary Swanson
July 26, 2019 at 1:25 pmBeautiful glasses and so easy! My kids and I will love making these this weekend. We’ve been saving different-looking bottles for just such a project. Thanks for the great idea!