Welcome to my guide on crafting with natural sea glass substitutes!
While authentic sea glass is a beautiful and sought-after material for crafting, it’s not always readily available, and is getting even harder to find these days.
Fortunately, there are natural alternatives that can be used to achieve similar effects in your DIY projects. In this blog post, we’ll explore eight exciting crafting projects using these substitutes. Get ready to unleash your creativity and bring the beauty of the ocean into your home as I have been doing for quite some time now…
Project 1: Faux Sea Glass Candle Holders
This one is my favorite !
Materials Needed:
Clear glass candle holders
Mod Podge or clear-drying craft glue
Food coloring (blue and green)
Paintbrush
Sandpaper (fine grit)
Tea light candles
Instructions:
Start by cleaning the glass candle holders thoroughly to ensure they’re free from dust and debris.
In a small bowl, mix Mod Podge or clear-drying craft glue with a few drops of blue and green food coloring. Adjust the ratio to achieve your desired hue, aiming for a sea glass-like color.
Use a paintbrush to apply the colored glue mixture to the exterior of the glass candle holders, covering them evenly. Allow the first coat to dry completely.
Once dry, lightly sand the surface of the candle holders with fine-grit sandpaper to create a frosted appearance reminiscent of sea glass. Wipe away any sanding residue with a clean cloth.
Apply a second coat of colored glue mixture and let it dry thoroughly.
Place tea light candles inside the candle holders and watch as they cast a beautiful, oceanic glow in your space.
Project 2: Sea Glass Inspired Picture Frame
Materials Needed:
Wooden picture frame
White acrylic paint
Foam brush
Assorted flat glass marbles or beads (in blue, green, and white)
Clear-drying craft glue
Sandpaper (fine grit)
Family photo or artwork to display
Instructions:
Begin by painting the wooden picture frame with white acrylic paint using a foam brush. Allow the paint to dry completely.
Once the paint is dry, arrange the flat glass marbles or beads along the outer edge of the picture frame, overlapping them slightly to mimic the appearance of sea glass.
Use clear-drying craft glue to adhere the glass pieces to the frame, ensuring they are securely attached.
Allow the glue to dry fully before handling the frame.
For an extra touch of authenticity, lightly sand the surface of the glass pieces with fine-grit sandpaper to create a frosted texture reminiscent of genuine sea glass.
Insert your favorite family photo or artwork into the frame and display it proudly in your home, adding a touch of sea-side charm to any room. This is one of my favorite projects involving crafting with natural sea glass substitutes and I’m sure you will love it too !
Project 3: Sea Glass Substitute Wind Chimes
This is one is my 2nd favorite !
Materials Needed:
Assorted glass beads or crystals (in blue, green, and clear)
Small metal hoop or wire ring
Fishing line or nylon thread
Metal or wooden dowel
Scissors
Instructions:
Begin by selecting an assortment of glass beads or crystals in shades of blue, green, and clear to resemble sea glass.
Cut several lengths of fishing line or nylon thread, varying the lengths for a cascading effect in your wind chime.
Thread the glass beads onto each piece of fishing line, alternating colors and sizes to create visual interest.
Tie one end of each beaded strand to the metal hoop or wire ring, spacing them evenly around the circumference.
Attach the metal or wooden dowel horizontally to the metal hoop or wire ring, creating the base of the wind chime.
Hang your sea glass substitute wind chime outdoors in a breezy spot and listen as the tinkling sound of the glass beads transports you to the seaside.
Unless you are already at your beach home, like me. In that case, just enjoy the tinking sound as it mixes with the sound of the waves while you enjoy your favorite cold beverage, which in my case is a Pisco Sour.
Project 4: Seashell and Glass Votive Holder
Materials Needed:
Clear glass votive holder
Assorted seashells
Assorted flat glass marbles or beads (in blue, green, and clear)
Clear-drying craft glue
Sandpaper (fine grit)
Tea light candle
Instructions:
Begin by cleaning the glass votive holder thoroughly to remove any dirt or residue.
Arrange the assorted seashells and flat glass marbles or beads around the exterior of the votive holder, creating a pattern that resembles sea glass scattered along the shore.
Once you’re satisfied with the arrangement, use clear-drying craft glue to adhere the seashells and glass pieces to the votive holder. Ensure that they are securely attached.
Allow the glue to dry completely before handling the votive holder.
For a weathered look, lightly sand the surface of the glass pieces with fine-grit sandpaper to mimic the texture of genuine sea glass.
Place a tea light candle inside the votive holder and enjoy the warm, flickering glow as it illuminates your seaside-inspired creation.
Project 5: Coastal Bottle Art
Materials Needed:
Empty glass bottles (various shapes and sizes)
Acrylic paint (blue, green, white)
Paintbrushes
Assorted seashells
Sand or small pebbles
Twine or rope
Clear-drying craft glue
Instructions:
Start by cleaning the glass bottles thoroughly to remove any labels or residue.
Paint each bottle with acrylic paint in shades of blue, green, and white, creating a gradient effect reminiscent of ocean waves.
Allow the paint to dry completely before proceeding to the next step.
Once the paint is dry, use clear-drying craft glue to adhere assorted seashells to the surface of the bottles, arranging them in clusters or patterns.
Sprinkle sand or small pebbles around the base of the bottles to mimic the look of a sandy beach.
Wrap twine or rope around the neck of each bottle, tying it in a knot or bow for a nautical touch.
Display your coastal bottle art on a windowsill, mantle, or shelf, bringing a touch of beachy charm to any room in your home.
Visitors to my home always want 2 or 3 of these for their homes after seeing them. I then have something new to work on to keep myself busy and out of trouble.
Project 6: Ocean-Inspired Mosaic Tray
Materials Needed:
Wooden tray
Assorted glass mosaic tiles (in blue, green, and white)
Clear-drying craft glue
Grout
Sponge
Sealer (optional)
Instructions:
Begin by cleaning the wooden tray thoroughly to remove any dust or debris.
Arrange the assorted glass mosaic tiles on the surface of the tray, creating a mosaic pattern that resembles ocean waves or seafoam.
Once you’re satisfied with the arrangement, use clear-drying craft glue to adhere the mosaic tiles to the tray, ensuring they are securely attached.
Allow the glue to dry completely before proceeding to the next step.
Prepare the grout according to the manufacturer’s instructions and apply it to the surface of the mosaic tiles using a sponge, pressing it into the gaps between the tiles.
Use a damp sponge to wipe away any excess grout from the surface of the tiles, taking care not to disturb the arrangement.
Allow the grout to dry completely before sealing the surface of the mosaic tray with a clear sealer, if desired.
Once sealed, your ocean-inspired mosaic tray is ready to use as a decorative accent or serving piece, adding a touch of coastal elegance to any room in your home.
Project 7: Beach-Inspired Terrarium
Materials Needed:
Glass terrarium container
Assorted succulent plants
Sand or small pebbles
Assorted seashells
Glass beads or crystals (in blue, green, and clear)
Decorative rocks or driftwood pieces
Small figurines (optional)
Spray bottle filled with water
Instructions:
Begin by layering sand or small pebbles in the bottom of the glass terrarium container to create a beach-like foundation.
Carefully plant assorted succulents in the sand or pebbles, arranging them to your liking and ensuring they have enough space to grow.
Scatter assorted seashells, glass beads or crystals, and decorative rocks or driftwood pieces throughout the terrarium to create a beach-inspired scene.
Add small figurines, if desired, such as miniature beach chairs, umbrellas, or surfboards, to enhance the coastal theme.
Use a spray bottle filled with water to lightly mist the succulents and simulate ocean mist.
Place your beach-inspired terrarium in a sunny spot indoors, such as a windowsill or shelf, and enjoy the relaxing ambiance of your miniature coastal retreat.
Project 8: Seaside-Inspired Mason Jar Lanterns
Materials Needed:
Mason jars (various sizes)
Assorted flat glass marbles or beads (in blue, green, and clear)
Sand or small pebbles
Assorted seashells
Twine or rope
LED tea light candles
Instructions:
Begin by cleaning the mason jars thoroughly to remove any labels or residue.
Use clear-drying craft glue to adhere the glass pieces or beads to the Mason jar. Ensure that they are securely attached.
Allow the glue to dry completely before handling the jar.
Fill each mason jar with sand or small pebbles, leaving enough room at the top for the LED tea light candles.
Arrange assorted seashells on top of the sand or pebbles, pressing them gently into place to create a beach-inspired scene.
Cut lengths of twine or rope and wrap them around the necks of the mason jars, tying them in knots or bows for a rustic touch.
Insert LED tea light candles into the mason jars and watch as they cast a warm, flickering glow, creating a cozy atmosphere in your home.
This one is my 3rd favorite project involving crafting with natural sea glass substitutes, and I have quite a few people who want me to make a couple of these for their homes.
Conclusion:
Crafting with natural sea glass substitutes allows you to unleash your creativity and bring the beauty of the ocean into your home. From candle holders to picture frames to wind chimes, these DIY projects offer endless possibilities for adding a touch of coastal charm to any space.
Plus, you have many different projects to keep you busy and out of trouble, which in my case, is a must !
Experiment with different materials and techniques to create personalized creations that reflect your love of the sea and the beach.
I hope that you try to make at least 2 or 3 of these, and enjoy the process and seeing the end result as much as I do. If you liked these projects, you may also like this post on how to make sea glass light fixtures.
Now, before you leave, may I ask a small favor of you ? Could you please share this post on Pinterest, Facebook or Twitter (now called X) ? I would greatly appreciate it, as it helps my blog get seen by more people who would probably like what I post here.
You may also enjoy this post – How To Polish Sea Glass With A Dremel
