Faux Sea Glass & Ideas for Summer Centrepieces

I have always loved sea glass. My favourite part of being on the beach is treasure hunting for pieces of it and sea shells. I also love a creative challenge and so when I saw the Silhouette Challenge for July was "summer" themed, I set out to make a decorative jar with the the look that I love...

There were a few options that I found online to getting the sea glass look. My original inspiration came from this beautiful bottle that I found HERE on Pinterest.

Lauren Saylor of A Fabulous Fete hand painted the writing on the bottle. I was hoping she was going to share how she got the sea glass look on her bottle, but she bought it at Michaels already weathered.

The plan was to use an etching cream, but when I read all of the warnings of the toxicity on the package and saw the price tag which was beyond my budget, I began to think of alternative non-toxic solutions to get the look.

The first thing that came to mind was to use pastel coloured tissue paper and adhere it with "Mod Podge". There were some challenges with this technique, but if you have a wide mouth jar without writing on it, you will be in good shape. I found this particular jar at the thrift store. I used a piece of tissue paper that I had in my stash and found one of them was just the right shade of aqua and had some texture to make it look like the picture above.

Faux Sea Glass using Tissue Paper

FOR THIS LOOK, here is what you will need...

widemouth glass jar
Mod Podge in matte finish
tissue paper in muted colour
net, twine or rope to cover the rim of the jar with
brush for applying Mod Podge
hot glue and glue gun for attaching net around rim

Steps

1. Find some pastel coloured tissue paper you like and cut it a little larger than what you would need to wrap the jar. 2. Brush on a generous layer of Mod Podge and immediately wrap the tissue paper around the jar being careful not crease it or tear it. 3. Apply Mod Podge over the tissue paper and let dry. 4. Cut off the excess paper on top and on the back where they meet. 5. Attach net or twine of your choice to the rim of the jar with hot glue. 6. Cut the vinyl letters on your Silhouette and carefully apply letters to the jar.

To imitate her beautiful handwriting, I figured that my "Silhouette would come in handy to try and get a script verse cut out of white vinyl to achieve the look. Make sure to use a thick font no smaller than 72pts. I attempted smaller sized type and inevitably lost bits and pieces of it when I tried removing the vinyl around the letters.

Although it is not real weathered sea glass, I am pleased with the results. The jar, net around the rim, tray and shells all came from the dollar store. So for less than $5, I have a pretty summer vignette. I think it would make an awesome centrepiece for a wedding with the couple's initials.

The jar to the far right was also covered in an ombre coloured tissue paper. Altough there is some overlap of the paper as you get closer to its neck, I think it still looks pretty with the netting around the rim.

Faux Sea Glass using Food Coloring,
Mod Podge and Paint

FOR THIS LOOK, here is what you will need...

small glass jar or small bottle
Mod Podge in gloss
food colouring
acrylic paint in a light shade of aqua
sponge brush for applying Mod Podge
sea sponge for applying the paint

Steps

1. mix 2 drops of blue and 3 drops of green into a tablespoon of Mod Podge and mix well. 2. Using your sponge brush, cover your jar or bottle with the coloured Mod Podge, patting it with the sponge brush so that you get a bit of texture. It will look milky when wet as in the bottom left photo and then will dry transparent 3. Let dry well. 4. Mix equal parts Mod Podge and acrylic paint in a light aqua shade. 5. Wet your sea sponge and wring dry. 6. Put a small amount of paint on the sea sponge patting it onto a piece of paper towel to get rid of the excess. 7. Pat the sponge onto the jar or bottle, trying to get an even amount of pattern throughout the entire piece. 8. Let dry and seal if desired with varnish.

NOTE: This technique is better suited for small glass containers, as it is more difficult to get a consistent pattern on a larger surface. Also note that the colouring is not permanent. it will come off with water. I really like how this particular technique looks on these small square vinegar bottles that I had on hand. They already had an aqua tint to them and looked the most like sea glass with the food colouring and the paint. What do you think?

Faux Colored Glass using Food Coloring

FOR THIS LOOK, here is what you will need...

clear glass jar, bottle or vase
food colouring
vinyl lettering of your choice

Steps

1. Adhere vinyl to jar or vase. 2. Mix 1 drop of blue and 2 drops of green food colouring into a container of water. 3. Add more water until you get the colour you want. A little goes a long way!

I think this would look so cute for a beach wedding. What do you think? I hope I have inspired you to put together a cute summer vignette with the help of your "Silhouette"...

My Silhouette Challenge buddies and I are all sharing projects on our blogs today, so peruse the projects below for a wealth of Silhouette inspiration!

1. Home At Eight // 2. DIY Just Cuz {Sam} // 3. DailyDwelling // 4. Where The Smiles Have Been // 5. My Paper Craze // 6. Get Silvered // 7. DIYJustCuz {Brittany} // 8. Whatcha Workin' On? // 9. The Stamp Doc // 10. Practically Functional // 11. Simply Kelly Designs // 12. Patina Paradise // 13. Architecture of a Mom // 14. Weekend Craft

Blessings,
Lucy

Partying at these locations...

Your Turn to Shine @ Bless'er House
Feathered Nest Fridays @ French Country Cottage
Creativity Unleashed @ Practically Functional
Fridays Unfolded @ Nancherrow
Shabbilicous Fridays @ The Shabby Art Boutique
Frugal Friday @ The Shabby Nest
Catch as Catch Can @ My Repurposed Life
Show and Tell Friday @ My Romantic Home
A morning Cup of Joe @ The Cottage Market
Think and Make Thursdays @ Little Red Brick House
Simple and Sweet Fridays @ Rooted in Thyme
Anything Blue Friday @ The Dedicated House
Friday Features @ Oh My Heartsie Girl

Saturday Sparks @ Pieced Pastimes
Share it One More Time @ One More Time Events
Sundays at Home @ Thoughts From Alice
That DIY party @ diy showoff
Inspiration Monday @ Redhead Can Decorate
Something to Talk About @ The Altered Past
Inspire Me Monday @ My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia
The Scoop @ Stone Gable
The Inspiration Board @ Carolyns Home Work

Talented Tuesdays @ Home Remedies
Wow Us Wednesdays @ Savvy Southern Style
Friday Favorites @ Casa Watkins

36 comments

Pam - GetSilvered.13 July, 2015

Wow, I love this tissue paper technique. Brilliant job, really captures that Sea glass look and the vinyl lettering opens up so many possibilities. Thanks for showing us the technique and your jars are fabulous.
Eff @ whatchaworkinon.com13 July, 2015

These jars look so cool and beachy...a real summery feel!
DIY Just Cuz14 July, 2015

They turned out great! I've never used Mod Podge before but there are clearly endless possibilities for applications. It really does look like sea glass, pinning this! -- Sam from DIYJC
DIY Just Cuz14 July, 2015

Every time I look at this I'm amazed that it's paper!! It looks so fabulous and seemed so simple to do!
Pinning :)
--Brittany
www.diyjustcuz.com
Susan Clayton16 July, 2015

Very nice. Martha Stewart has a glass paint that works better than the Mod Podge if you ever want to try that. I'm with you on the tinted water method. Back in the 60's my mom had glass swans and every few weeks she changed the water and the color.
Karren Haller ♥ Oh My Heartsie Girl Friday Linkup17 July, 2015

Oh my goodness, Lucy, I love the Fau glass ideas, I have wanted to do this for so long. You have some great options and the tissue paper sounds like something I could manage. I have seen where they use paint swirl around in bottles and bake in the oven, that didnt appeal to me, so thank you for this informative tutorial!!

Now I would like to invite your to share on my Friday Features Linky Party!!
Hope you have a great weekend!
Karren
#OMHGFF

Cathy Carroll18 July, 2015

I love how your faux sea glass turned out. I have done the food coloring with mod podge and also food coloring with elmer's glue but have not tired the tissue paper. I love that technique and will have to try it out. Your vignette is beautiful. Cathy
Lisa O'Driscoll18 July, 2015

Wow...how pretty! I love the way these turned out! Visiting from Sundays At Home

xoxo
Lisa @ Fun Money Mom
Have a Daily18 July, 2015

Well, I think that they all turned out great! I have used Mod Podge and tissue before and I like the look. I love the writing on the bottles! Thanks for sharing with SYC.
hugs,
Jann
Rita C.19 July, 2015

Lucy, what beautiful results with your project! You caught my eye on Dwellings link party, and I just wanted you to know I love it all.
Rita C at Panoply
Lynn Riggs Driver20 July, 2015

Brilliant and gorgeous!! I can't wait to make some of these with my girls; they love to craft. ;)
Jenny Leads21 July, 2015

I love how you showed three different ways to create "sea glass". I once tried to use sea glass paint, and it didn't turn out anywhere near as great as yours. Plus, you created yours with stuff I already have laying around the house - I definitely need to try the tissue paper technique. I actually see a glass on my counter right that would work perfectly... Thanks for sharing with us at Dream. Create. Inspire. Link. Hope to see you back tonight!
Jane H22 July, 2015

I just love how your projects turned out! What a great idea to use vinyl lettering vs etching the glass. Pinning this so I can try out your method, thanks!
Kerryanne @ Shabby Art Boutique22 July, 2015

Stunning results Lucy. Love how these easy to do projects turned out and I appreciate you sharing them at Shabbilicious Friday. I'm delighted to be featuring this project at tomorrow's party.
Gail Wilson23 July, 2015

My favorite is the food coloring! so pretty. Catching you this week!

gail
Christy James23 July, 2015

I'd love to try one of these techniques...love the look! :)
Meredith @ unOriginalMom24 July, 2015

These are all so beautiful!! Thanks for sharing the details on all these techniques. My favorite part is the vinyl lettering, it adds such a great touch!
Anonymous25 July, 2015

love these.
Cindy @ Dwellings-The Heart of Your Home26 July, 2015

Love them!
Thanks so much for sharing at AMAZE ME MONDAY!
Blessings,
Cindy
Tracey Lee from Mia Bella Passions26 July, 2015

So gorgeous....
Sharing the love by featuring Links to this FABULOUS post over at Mia Bella Passions Create, Inspire, Love...http://miabellapassion.blogspot.co.nz/2015/07/create-inspire-love-5.html
Jessi @ Practically Functional27 July, 2015

Oh my gosh, I love how these turned out! I saw that same hand painted bottle and thought it was just gorgeous, and I love what you did with the inspiration!
Amy Lee27 July, 2015

So many great ideas! I love sea glass but have yet to actually find any on my beach trips - now I can make my own! Thanks so much for sharing with us at Talented Tuesdays!
Morgansceramics28 July, 2015

OMGosh! I am in love with the square decanter one!! Will definitely have to make a few. Tks so much for sharing.
Michelle James03 August, 2015

What beautiful ideas! I love sea glass & love the look you achieved. I am stopping on my way home to buy food coloring!! It looks just lovely. Thanks for sharing at Friday Favorites & we hope you will join us again! Michelle OurCraftyMom
Michelle James04 August, 2015

Good morning! I just wanted to let you know that I will be featuring this great project at Friday Favorites which will be live Thursday evening. Thank you so much for sharing with us! Michelle OurCraftyMom
Heather{Our Life In a Click}04 August, 2015

These are all beautiful! Thanks so much for linking up. I'm also going to feature you at Friday Favorites! :)
mark lawrence07 October, 2015

Thank you very much dear for the step by step tutorial for summer centerpieces. Those Faux Sea Glasses are out of this world. I would love to make them for my son’s birthday party. Could you suggest some recommendations for the inexpensive event location rentals?