About

Cost
$ $ $ $ $
Difficulty
• • • • •
Time
96h40

For the landlocked folk.
This is FAUX sea glass. Not the real stuff, sorry. But it's very fun to make and requires things you probably have on hand already! The timer says it takes 96 hours, but it only takes about twenty or so minutes in prep time and finishing time. 96 hours is four days, which is the time the glass takes to tumble. You can use this glass in jewellery, for artsy projects, for anything your mind can come up with! Here's how you can make it.

Posted by IntrepidMoose from Madison, Wisconsin, United States • Published See IntrepidMoose's 5 projects »
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  • How to make a beads. Faux Sea Glass - Step 1
    Step 1

    You will need these items, specified on the list.

  • How to make a beads. Faux Sea Glass - Step 2
    Step 2

    First, fit one paper bag inside of the other, as shown. Kind of like a fish eating another fish.

  • How to make a beads. Faux Sea Glass - Step 3
    Step 3

    Next, put your glass bottles (with labels removed), unwanted vases, cracked mason jars, inside the bag.

  • How to make a beads. Faux Sea Glass - Step 4
    Step 4

    Be sure to put on your safety goggles( it may seem silly, but what may happen if the bag breaks?), and then you can HULK SMASH! Or human smash, whichever you prefer. Crush the glass to medium-sized bits with the hammer. You can wear earplugs if the noise bothers you.

  • How to make a beads. Faux Sea Glass - Step 5
    Step 5

    Pour the glass into the bag, or pick it out (USING PROTECTIVE GLOVES, PLEASE!). Put it inside your rock tumbler. I was a dummy and didn't wear gloves, and narrowly missed a particularly sharp shard. SO WEAR 'EM IF YOU GOT 'EM! Fill the tumbler about 2/3 of the way, maybe a little bit over.

  • Step 6

    Add about a handful or so of sand (more depending on the amount of glass and the size of your rock tumbler (Mine is a little kid one. See, no fancy stuff here!). You can also add larger rocks or pebbles to add more of a bumped-about texture.

  • How to make a beads. Faux Sea Glass - Step 7
    Step 7

    Add enough water to thinly cover the glass and sand, screw the lid of the tumbler on tightly, and put into your tumbler. Set your tumbler to spin for four days, leaving it somewhere where it won't disturb anyone, like a garage or unused part of a basement, just remember where it is! You can also set it to two days, depending on its strength.

  • How to make a beads. Faux Sea Glass - Step 8
    Step 8

    Once four days are up, unscrew your lid to reveal.....

  • How to make a beads. Faux Sea Glass - Step 9
    Step 9

    ...weird brown foam. Don't freak out. It happens. Just put on your gloves and dump that onto a mesh slurry or something of that effect. Then wash away all the stuff covering your beautiful new creation. WARNING! DO NOT POUR THE SAND IN YOUR SINK! IT MAY GUM UP THE SYSTEM AND CAUSE THE PLUMBING TO BECOME VERY SCREWY. Do this outside, preferably, or at the very least in a bucket that you can dispose the water of outside.

  • How to make a beads. Faux Sea Glass - Step 10
    Step 10

    The glass will look clear at first, but that's okay. Put it on some kitchen paper (paper towel) or an absorbent cloth. This will get a lot of the water off, or you can wait for it to evaporate. If this still does not work for you, you can wipe the water off piece by piece.

  • How to make a beads. Faux Sea Glass - Step 11
    Step 11

    Enjoy your new faux sea glass! Use it in jewellery, make something artsy, do whatever you want with it! It's yours!

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Comments

nymfa
nymfa · 1 project
nice
IntrepidMoose
IntrepidMoose · Madison, Wisconsin, US · 26 projects
Thank you!
Reply
Ravens Trove
Ravens Trove · Wenatchee, Washington, US · 35 projects
I already have my rock tumbler and lots of glass... been looking forward to doing this one too!
IntrepidMoose
IntrepidMoose · Madison, Wisconsin, US · 26 projects
Go for it! I'm pretty sure it's going to be fantastic.
Reply

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