How to Make a Stained Glass Stepping Stone

Materials and Tools:

paper
pencil or black permanent marker
copier machine
glass: red, orange
dichroic glass pieces
glass grinder
glass-breaking pliers
glass cutter
sticky shelf paper
cooking spray
round stepping-stone plastic mold pan
quick-setting cement
bucket for mixing, mixing spoon, water
hammer
sponge
utility knife
glue stick
rags
scissors
glass cleaner

Steps:

1. Pick a sunflower pattern (or any desired pattern). Measure the plastic mold to ensure the pattern fits. Make two copies of the pattern, and number each piece.

2. Cut along the lines of the pattern and lay the pieces on the original, ensuring that you have all the pieces.

3. With a glue stick, glue the pieces on colored glass with the numbers facing down on the glass.

4. Wearing safety glasses, score the lines around each pattern piece with a glass cutter. Break away the excess glass with glass-breaking pliers.

5. Smooth the edges of each glass piece with a glass grinder.

6. Place the glass pieces on the second copy of the pattern, paper side down, to make sure they fit.

7. Cut out a piece of sticky shelf paper to fit the inside of the mold. Remove the backing of the paper and place the adhesive side on the glass. Rub out all the bubbles under the paper.

8. Spray cooking spray into the mold.

9. Turn the entire glass piece over. The shelf paper will be on the bottom, and the numbered pattern pieces that are glued to the glass pieces will be on top. Place the glass piece in the mold. Sprinkle dichroic glass pieces between the glass pieces of the sunflower design.

10. Mix the quick-setting concrete according to the manufacturer's directions, about six parts cement to three parts water. The consistency should be that of peanut butter. Work quickly because the concrete sets up fast.

11. Pour the concrete to about a ½-inch from the top of the mold. Tap the edges to force out any air bubbles. Let the concrete set up for 45 minutes to an hour.

12. Turn the mold over to release the stepping stone. Peel away the shelf paper. Clean away any concrete that may have stuck to the glass before it sets permanently.

13. Shine the stained glass on the steppingstone with a rag and glass cleaner.