https://www.cutoutandkeep.net/projects/faux-sea-glass • Posted by IntrepidMoose
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.
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.
You will need these items, specified on the list.
First, fit one paper bag inside of the other, as shown. Kind of like a fish eating another fish.
Next, put your glass bottles (with labels removed), unwanted vases, cracked mason jars, inside the bag.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Once four days are up, unscrew your lid to reveal.....
...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.
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.
Enjoy your new faux sea glass! Use it in jewellery, make something artsy, do whatever you want with it! It's yours!