Specialty glassware can't be recycled with glass jars or bottles because it contains substances not found in regular container glass (see References 1). But if you lose a few pieces of glassware to breakage, you needn't throw out the rest of the set --- instead, repurpose the remaining pieces into functional home accessories. You can turn wine glasses, cups and plates into everyday home accents, decor for special celebrations or inexpensive gifts for your family and friends. These simple reuse projects will keep your old glassware out of the landfill while making room in your cupboard for a new set.
Items you will need:
- Colored tissue paper
- Ruler
- Decoupage medium
- Sponge brush
- Clear-glass, smooth-surfaced drinking glass
- Tea-light candle
- Wine glass
- Clear household cement
- Dinner plate
- 8-inch clay flowerpot
- Glass cup-and-saucer set
- Teaspoon
- Water
- Birdseed
Tea-Light Candle Holder
Tear a variety of colored tissue papers into pieces approximately 1-inch square.
Apply a decoupage medium to the outside of a clear-glass, smooth-surfaced drinking glass using a sponge brush.
Place a torn tissue piece on the glass. Brush over the tissue piece with more decoupage medium to seal the paper and smooth out wrinkles.
Place additional tissue pieces on the glass in the same way. Overlap the edges and cover the entire outer surface of the glass. Allow the medium to dry.
Place a tea-light candle in the glass.
Cake Plate
Stand a wine glass upside down on your work surface. The bottom of the wine glass will now be considered the top.
Apply a thin line of clear household cement around the top edge of the wine glass.
Center a dinner plate on the wine glass, with the top side of the plate facing up. Press lightly to seat the plate onto the wine glass. Allow the cement to dry.
Teacup Patio Bird Feeders
Turn an 8-inch clay flowerpot upside down on your work surface. The bottom of the pot will now be considered the top.
Turn a saucer from a cup-and-saucer set upside down. The center of the saucer has a slightly raised stand. Apply a thin line of clear household cement on top of the stand. Turn the saucer right side up and center it on top of the flowerpot. Press lightly to seat the saucer on the flowerpot.
Turn the matching cup upside down. Apply a thin line of the household cement to the bottom rim of the cup. Turn the cup right side up and center it on the saucer. Press lightly to seat the cup.
Place a teaspoon on your work surface with the rounded side facing up. Apply a dot of the household cement to the back of the spoon's bowl. Place the bowl of the spoon on the saucer, as if you had just finished stirring your tea. Press the bowl down slightly to seat the spoon. Allow the cement to dry.
Fill the cup with water and the saucer with birdseed.
Tips
- Some tissue papers will bleed when wet, creating a watercolor effect that may or may not be desired. Test the paper before applying it to the wine glass.
Based in the Midwest, Cyndee Kromminga has been writing craft and interior design articles for 15 years. Her articles and craft designs have appeared in Crafting Traditions Magazine, Easy Holiday Crafting Series-House of White Birches Newsletter and Country Woman Christmas Books. Kromminga's education is in interior design and she has experience operating a craft and design business for more than 20 years.
