Glass Window Block Crafts

Glass blocks in a window wall.

Glass window blocks are a blank slate for a variety of craft projects. It's easier to purchase the window blocks with pre-drilled holes from the craft store, but you can also drill openings yourself with a carbide or diamond drill bit. Openings are useful as you can insert lights and other decorative craft materials inside the glass window blocks.

Glass Block Lights

Transform a pre-drilled glass window block into lighting for your landscape, the holidays or as a night light inside your home. Decorate both sides of the glass block with glass paint to add translucent color to the ambient lighting. Wrap the glass block in fabric or heavy paper, tie a bow in the center and make a package light for the holidays. Decoupage an image onto the front and the back of the block to create a light with a night time theme. Cover the front, back and the three facing edges with flat-backed stones or crystals to create decorative lighting for your patio, yard or garden. Use clear waterproof construction adhesive to attach the stones to the block. Insert a small strand of LED lights inside the glass block to illuminate the decorations. Extend the electrical cord through the pre-drilled hole or use battery powered lights.

Stained Glass Block

Craft a stained glass window block using self-adhesive leading strips and stained glass paint. Trace the outline of the desired image onto the glass window block with the leading strips. Cover the open spaces between the strips with stained glass paint. Stand the glass block in a window, in the garden or in front of a candle to illuminate the stained glass art. You can also insert a strand of lights inside the block to create lighting.

Etched Art

Etch the glass block using etching compound to create decorative art for your home. Make sure to follow all safety precautions as you use the etching material; if it can eat through glass, it can eat through your skin. Write your favorite inspirational phrase or word on the outside of the glass with the etching compound or use a stencil to create an image. Leave the etching to stand alone or enhance it with glass paint.

Glass Block Candle Holder

Create a decorative candle holder or vase from a glass window block, colorful glass marbles or decorative sand. Stand the glass block so that the opening is on the top. Fill the bottom half of the inside of the block with glass marbles or layers of colorful sand. Nestle tea lights, votives or stand tapered candles inside the marble or sand layers to create a candle holder. Insert silk flower stems into the decorative layers to use the window block as a vase.

References

• Egress Etch: How to Etch Glass

Resources

• Plaid Online: Painting with Stained Glass Paint