In life, there are very few guarantees. Unless, of course, you’re talking about glassware at thrift stores. Because I can guarantee you that every thrift store on Earth has a plethora of glass. Vases, stemware, dishes, and more- there is a LOT of it and it’s usually pretty cheap. Thankfully, there are a ton of glass craft ideas for all of that glassware- let me show you a few of my favorites.
Cloisonné-Style Vases
Image credit: Sadie Seasongoods.
Can you even tell that these exotic vases started as clear glass vases from a thrift store? They’re the kind you would get with a small bouquet from the florist or even a hospital gift shop. But a globally-influenced paint job gives them such an exotic look, like you brought one home from an overseas trip.
Glass Art in Old Windows
Image credit: House of Hawthornes.
All those glass saucers, platters, and small plates? Yes, they have tons of crafting potential, too. And once you have an old window to DIY with, you can assemble it all into a fabulous piece of hanging artwork like this.
Glassware Garden Totems
Image credit: Little Vintage Cottage.
Whether you use vintage lamps or pretty glass bowls and vases, one thing’s for certain: they look especially lovely when recycled into garden totems like this.
Pressed Glass Painting
Image credit: Sadie Seasongoods.
Pressed glass vases are about as common as it gets when it comes to thrift store glass. And while they’re perfectly fine in their naked state, the right paint can really make those pressed patterns pop! In this case, a special kind of paint from the craft store turns plain pressed glass into modern boho pottery.
Propagation Station
Image credit: Organized Clutter.
Glass jars, bottles, and vases are ideal for propagating plants like this, aren’t they? You can decorate them if you’d like, but what a wonderful way to grow plants from cuttings by using something inexpensive from the thrift store. OR even glass jars from your recycling bin!
Pressed Flowers on Glassware
Image credit: House of Hawthornes.
Whether you press your own or buy them pre-dried, pressed flowers are really having a moment. They’re fun to add to any number of projects, but this upcycled glass candle holder is definitely one of my favorites.
Standing Birdbath
Image credit: Sadie Seasongoods.
A vintage lamp from Grandma’s house or a thrift store might be exactly what you need to make a birdbath like this. But the bath part itself? A shallow glass platter that also came from the thrift store- add a few small rocks in the center for more standing options for smaller songbirds.
Mercury Glass Painting
Image credit: Petticoat Junktion.
Mercury glass has been a longtime staple of various home decor trends. From vases to bowls and everything in between, its vintage elegance looks gorgeous in just about any setting. And if you’d rather not pay the hefty price tag for something at the antique store, you can make your own pieces with this glass painting tutorial.
Cane-Wrapped Jars
Image credit: My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia.
Believe it or not, but pressed cane has made quite the comeback recently. But not just as furniture seats or table-tops. Cane is popping up in wreaths, frames, and yes- even around glassware, like mason jars. This thrift store flip idea is so easy to make– all you need is a roll (or sheet) of cane and some glass jars from the thrift store.
Glassware Bird Feeder
Image credit: House of Hawthornes.
A DIY platform feeder like this looks as pretty as it is useful for the birds. And it’s a perfect craft idea for glass snack sets or other glassware you find at the thrifts. Bonus- you could offer bits of fruit on the side next to the teacup to attract butterflies and other pollinators.
Terrariums
Image credit: Sadie Seasongoods.
Find some pretty decorative jars while thrifting? Bonus if they have a top! Either way, those pretty, elegant jars are ideal for repurposing into succulent terrariums. For real OR fake plants…
Topiary Tree Stands
Image credit: Sadie Seasongoods.
You might not think of glass candlesticks as versatile for crafting and upcycling, but don’t write them off so quickly. Turns out, you can make your own topiary trees with moss balls from craft stores and a pair of vintage glass candlesticks to use as the bases. But the best part is that nothing is permanent- neither glue nor an adhesive is needed for this project. So you can still use them as candlesticks on your dining table at any point, too.
Bug-Repelling Jars
Image credit: Sadie Seasongoods for the Charlotte Region ReStores.
Once summer rolls around and you’re hoping for a little porch or patio time, file this glass jar craft idea away. Because they are PERFECT for repurposing into bug-repelling lantern jars like these.
Winter Snowmen
Image credit: Funky Junk Interiors.
But what about winter, you might be asking? Well, there’s a glassware craft for that season, too. Take these stacked snowmen, for instance- aren’t they a great way to upcycle punch cups and small bowls?
Upcycled Cake Stands
Image credit: Sadie Seasongoods.
Glass candlesticks are quite lovely and surprisingly easy to find at thrift stores. And if you find a few pretty plates or small platters, then you can repurpose the glass candlesticks as bases for DIY cake stands like these. They really “elevate” your dessert display at parties, if you catch my drift…
Hanging Glass Bird Bath
Image credit: Sadie Seasongoods.
Bird baths are a wonderful thing…until you have to clean them. But this one, made from a glass casserole dish lid, is shallow and SO easy to disinfect to keep the birds happy and healthy. (Adding a few pebbles to the middle of it helps smaller birds keep their footing, too.)
Glassware Candles
Image credit: House of Hawthornes.
A pretty glass candy dish like this might come from the thrift store or even the back of your china cabinet. And a great way to repurpose it into something to keep or gift use is by turning it into a hand-poured candle like this.
Nautical Floats
Image credit: Sadie Seasongoods.
Here’s a fun and summery way to upcycle some clear glassware from the thrift. Turn them into these nautical decor pieces inspired by classic Japanese fishing floats! They’re surprisingly easy to make and are perfect for all of those fishbowl or otherwise round glassware pieces.
Stained Glass Pumpkins
Image credit: Sadie Seasongoods.
Starting as clear glass pumpkins from craft and thrift stores, these stained glass pumpkins are surprisingly easy to make with the right kinds of paint. But trust me when I tell you that they look even more magical at night.
Craft Ideas for All That Glassware
Image credit: Sadie Seasongoods.
From vases to bowls and everything in between, that thrift store glassware holds a lot of (upcycling) potential. I hope these ideas have given you some fresh inspiration before you head out on your next thrifting adventure. Because that huge selection of inexpensive glass should never be completely written off…
Craft on!
S
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Image credit: Sadie Seasongoods.
Sarah Ramberg is the owner of Sadie Seasongoods, a website that celebrates all things secondhand. From upcycling ideas and thrifted decor to vintage-centric travel itineraries, Sadie Seasongoods is a one-stop shop for anyone who loves thrifting and approachable repurposing ideas. Sarah is also the author of “Crafting with Flannel” and has been featured in numerous media outlets and magazines.
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