Learning how to make stained glass stepping stones can be more than just a functional piece of equipment in the garden. Stepping stones can be as beautiful as the flowers nestled in your garden.
Small pieces of stained glass can be affixed to cement stepping stones with mortar and outdoor glue. If the stone will be placed in the garden for decorations and will not be stepped on, the stained glass can be stacked in a three-dimensional design. But if the stepping stone is to be functional, the glass will need to be level across the top of the stone.
Needed Materials:
Making a Stepping Stone
First, gather your materials and create a simple design or template. Use a board to work on that is slightly larger than the stepping stone. A piece of sheet rock works well. Place your template or design onto the board. Glue it in place. Place a sheet of see-through contact paper over the template, sticky side up. Because you can see through the contact paper and because the glass will stick to the contact paper and set your design, it's the perfect medium for this task.
Place the pieces of stained glass onto the sticky contact paper, over the design. When you have covered the design with stained glass pieces, trim the contact paper around the design and then set the design aside.
Set the mold onto the wide screen or chicken wire and use wire cutters to carefully cut a piece of screen that will fit inside the mold to reinforce the grout or concrete. When you have finished, set the screen aside and, using the Vaseline, coat the inside of the mold with the gooey mess. Place the design-contact paper side down-into the mold, being careful that the design fits into the mold nice and flat with no portion of the contact paper riding up the sides. (The sticky side of the contact paper will still be facing up at this point.)
Use a wooden spoon to press the contact paper into the Vaseline so that the contact paper forms a tight suction with the mold. The last thing you want to happen before you pour the grout over your design is to have the contact paper ripple or crease, forming a flaw in the finished stepping stone.
When you are sure the contact paper is in place, with the stained glass pieces facing up, place the screen into the mold. Meanwhile, mix the grout according to the manufacturer's directions. Place the mold in the center of the board and carefully pour the grout into the mold.
The mold must remain untouched for about one week. After a week, when the grout is completely dry, turn the mold over and press lightly onto the center to break the seal. The mold should slide off the stepping stone easily. Remove the contact paper so that the shiny glass pieces are exposed. Use a razor to remove any grout that may be covering the glass. Your stepping stone is now ready to be used.
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With a few simple glass etching designs and tools, you can create terrific gifts for your family and friends, as well as add spice to your home. |
Having all of the right stained glass tools that you will need on hand and knowing why you need them will help you begin your project with confidence. |
