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Yes, my husband did this for me when I didn't want to wait for him to take them to work. It does work, but it does take a lot of patience. He took some type of clay or putty to wrap around the hole he was drilling so he could pour water into that and make a well while he was drilling.
I am so sorry but have just one more question ... you said not to use cardstock because it was too thick. Was your paper completely opaque, just thin? Or was it actually somewhat transparent? Thanks so much!!!
Okay, I am so glad I found this thread as I wanted to do these this year but didn't want to purchase all the lights. I can get them half off to 75% off most places right now. I even bought a strand of pink lights so I may make a princess one for my daughter. The glass blocks with the holes already in them are at Hobby Lobby. Not sure if anyone has listed that yet as I am only on page 2 of reading the comments.
Thought l would let you know that Michael's Stores also sell the glass blocks with the hole already drilled. Our Rona Hardware stores also sell them predrilled but they were such a big seller this past year, that they are sold out and not getting anymore in until March. Michae's is also sold out so off l go to try and find some. I absolutely love what you have done with these blocks.
Question: If you didn't want to use string lights, is there some other light source to use.
Thanks for the info. Do you know what section they are in at Michaels? I've been looking, and either can't locate them or they are out. I have another Michaels I can try ...but the last two, I couldn't find a sales person to ask without standing in line at the register for 15 minutes. Thanks a bunch! Lisa
I saw them at our local Michael's ( London Ont) and they had them sitting on a shelf over in the beads section. Not sure why they put them there, but that's where l saw them. Good luck
I have made these glass blocks, but in a different way. I stamped images with staz on ink and them "colored" them in with glass paints. The result is kind of like a stained glass look. To finish them off I sprayed them with an acrylic spray, and added a bow very similar to yours. My son drilled the holes for me on the bottom of the block close to the center. I mostly use white lights with a white cord that I found in the wedding section at Michael's craft store. I tried to get the "frosty" look with glitter for some snowflake blocks that I did at Christmas, but I like your idea better. Thanks for sharing!
I am truly a novice at this! I bought som 8 X 8 glass blocks at Home Depot for $5. My DH bought a drill bit there also for $18, and has drilled a few block for me-less than 5 minutes. I attemped to make one for a wedding with etching on it, but used the wrong stencils and you can barely see the etching! I want to cover it up with some vinyl, and I don't have a circut, so my question is, where is the best place/site to get vinyl stick on for these blocks. I am going to order everything for the beaded glass blocks because they are absolutely gorgeous, but I need this block done by next week! Sorry for the long post, but I am stumped!
I am truly a novice at this! I bought som 8 X 8 glass blocks at Home Depot for $5. My DH bought a drill bit there also for $18, and has drilled a few block for me-less than 5 minutes. I attemped to make one for a wedding with etching on it, but used the wrong stencils and you can barely see the etching! I want to cover it up with some vinyl, and I don't have a circut, so my question is, where is the best place/site to get vinyl stick on for these blocks. I am going to order everything for the beaded glass blocks because they are absolutely gorgeous, but I need this block done by next week! Sorry for the long post, but I am stumped!
I have seen plain vinyl sheets at Hobby Lobby. If you want something fancier, check with an auto detailing place. Lots of companies use vinyl to advertise on their trucks and such and they can be cut by the auto guys to almost any shape or saying. Not sure if that is exactly what you are looking for. Good luck!
Oh! I do have a cricut, so if you live in ND, come on over!
__________________ Jennifer
Live each day with kindness, happiness, and a smile.
I used Pittsburgh Corning Glass Blocks (6"x8"x3") from Lowes. Drilled a 1 3/8" hole with the drill press (510rpm) using a Diamond Rimmed Core Bit. I wanted the 1 1/4" bit but they were out. The drilling took about 1 minute per block. Used one hand to spray the water and the other to pull down the press. (Anyone living near Vancouver, WA is welcome to come over to get holes drilled in their blocks!!)
After cleaning and drying the blocks...
1. Cut the paper you want to use to 6 1/2" x 4 1/2".
2. Cut a piece of O'So Sticky Tape to 7" x 5".
3. Use a small amount of hermafix, or mono, or double sided tape to center the paper on the glass block.
4. Peel a little of the back down of O'So Sticky Tape and put it 1/4" over the top of the paper. Press down firmly. Pull the rest of the back of O'So sticky tape down a little at a time, pressing down as you go, until the paper is completely covered.
5. Roll brayer over the top to make sure the O'So Sticky Tape is secured around all edges.
6. Peel off the top of the O'So Sticky Tape.
7. Pour clear microbeads all over the O'So Sticky Tape.
8. Roll brayer over the top to really seat the beads. Gently brush off extra beads.
9. Put lights into the block, leaving the plug end hanging out. Put a small piece of O'So Sticky Tape on the cord to attach it to the block. Don't peel off red liner. (I used a 50 light string set.)
10. Wrap ribbon around block and secure on top with hot glue or more O'So Sticky Tape.
11. Cut a 52" length of ribbon to make the bow. Hot glue finished bow on top of block.
*You can use any size of clear microbeads. You will use about 1 ounce of beads per side. I used all three sizes from Pennywise Arts. (Not on the same block, I gave people a choice of bead size when ordering.) www.pennywisearts.com
*I use the 6"x6' mega roll of O'So Sticky Tape from Pennywise Arts. www.pennywisearts.com
*You can use any type of paper. I used tissue paper and wrapping paper. I've seen printer paper that has been stamped used. The Fairy Paper I used is from England and you can order it here under Gift Wrap: Stationery - Flame Tree Publishing
I have all the Fairyland, Forest Fairies, and Neptune's Treasures papers. (If you want to see close-up individual pictures just let me know.)
I hope you enjoy the photos!!
OMGosh! These are GORGEOUS...My favs are ALL but ultimately the fairy ones...would love them for my daughter's room...
I am a Jersey Stampin UP demo and we sell vinyl sheets in various colors...let me know if you are interested...
I talked to an SU Demonstrator today, and she did not mention this. I wanted to order some premade, and some blank vinyl in hopes that I could find some fancy letter stencils! I am trying to make one with "Jingle all the way" and the snowflakes, but I don't understnd how maryz did the snowflakes! Thanks a million-please leave your website, or a way to contact you and I will order.
Anneki, I used white staz-on on mine (which I will not use again because it scratches off very easily) and then used a rub-on from Stampin Up! This year, I did buy a Cricut Expression and will use etching cream on the whole front of the block before I put vinyl on them. Good luck! Any questions, feel free to ask!
schweeda-I actually found a monogram vinyl that covers almost the whole front of the block, but not quite enough in the middle, so I did two coats of glass frost and then put the vinyl over that-it seems to have done the trick! I could not use etching because the rest of the block was decorated with pearls, lace and ribbon already! I will try the etching on the next though!
I was wondering if someone could please post a picture of the hole in their block. I need a visual of where it is, and the best place to drill the hole.
Thanks
These block lights are gorgeous. They are absolutely beautiful and thank you so much for giving us the step by step instructions.
OMG!!!! I'm going to start looking NOW for someone with a drill press....these would make wonderfully unique gifts!!! Please let us know what you sell them for...maybe I'll get you to do my gifts instead of trying to find someone with a drill press!! LOL Thanks so much for sharing the photos and the directions!!
Just saw this video a few minutes ago about doing glass etching on the glass blocks and filling with tiny Christmas lights. Thought I would add the link in here ..
Ohh, so pretty!
Vinyl Sheets
