I Need Ideas! What to do with these Glass Rods.

Question

We took these from an old light fixture and I just can't bring myself to throw them out. There has to be some cool project out there that they would be perfect for. I have more than 50 of them, each 24.5 inches long! What would YOU do with them?

Donna Gill · Answer

Hhhmmm. Interesting. I wouldn't throw them out either. What is your decorating style? Do you want to turn them into something for you or something you can sell?

Elaine · Answer

get a pretty vase, battery twinkle lights ..place lights in the vase and the glass rods make sure some of the lights go up the rods a ways maybe some interesting twigs or dried/fake flowers too. turn the lights on and watch the rods glow!

Mary B · Answer

Elaine, I tried to do something with lights last Christmas....but I couldn't get it to look right. Do you think it should be an opaque vase to hide the lights? I was using a glass one...silly me! Donna, I bet your cupboards are as full as mine (TEEHEE). I would say my style is eclectic traditional if there is such a thing. Hop over to Sweetwater Style (my blog) and see how you would describe my style! http://sweetwaterstyle.blogspot.com/ maybe you will see a room that they would work in!

Donna Gill · Answer

Hi @Mary B . I took a look. Yes, I absolutely get it now. Great blog! Totally stealing your fabric rug idea. It solves a major issue for me. Anyway, here is where I am with the glass rod thing...just formulating ideas. Think shutter frames, or large painting frames. Paint awesome colors. Take out whatever is in the middle. lay the rods with tiny gaps. Secure with strapping and glue of course. Back with fabric for an interesting wall sculpture. Or, add hardware and hang in a window (instant powder room privacy?) Alternately, style something for your porch or garden (I am assuming you have one.) Wind chime? More rustic outdoor version of above? Back with a mirror? That's what I brainstormed so far. I hope you are following my train of thought.

Xena Nierobisz · Answer

what about... glass rod wind chime? you can paint them different colors and do something like this:

Mary B · Answer

Ooh, I like this a lot! Did you make it? Give the instructions if you did!!!

Gail Salminen · Answer

@Mary B these are definitely keepers. Have you tried to arrange them in styrofoam or the foam used for flower arrangements with some moss on top. This would allow you to set the arrangement, adding some lights and perhaps some dried flowers or pussy willow type stemss could add some interest.
I also like @Xena Nierobisz idea as well, not sure if you can colour some of them with some glass paint or not.
Could also be interesting in a garden pot or houseplant pot as well.
Gluing them in variating lengths on a mirror or window could also be interesting.
Could also be a way of using them in a pond/water setting.
Do update us on what you decide to do, very interested in seeing the product(s)
Thanks for sharing.

Mary B · Answer

WOW! These are all great ideas! More in a couple of days than I have been able to come up with in a couple of YEARS! Thanks

Vicki Menton · Answer

could you paint some of them with a translucent paint that would allow the light to still shine through?   Sandwich them between a pair of frames and hang from a window  like a new twist to stained glass?

Sue Walker · Answer

I would make some type of wind chime but the rods would need a hole in one end. Is there something to tie through? Another idea would be to use the styrofoam idea. Take a medium size container, add at least two layers of styrofoam (or one very thick layer). Don't let the foam come up to the lip of the container. Arrange some of the rods in a spread out manner, those on the edges tilting outward slightly. Then take a color-changing string of Christmas lights and weave it around the base of the rods. You might also try arranging some small mirrors atop the foam aroound the rods to help reflect the light more.

Marian taylor · Answer

glass paint them and stack sideways and wind twine up and to connect them like blinds and hang in sunny window and enjoy

Marian taylor · Answer

or use wire to attach them, like large jump rings and attach together sideways

Marci N · Answer

I imagine if you went to a jewelry making site you could find some of those ends you glue on. 
They would make a pretty chandelier crystals too. I have the chandelier crystal drops and I put them in my window, I have rainbows on everything when the sun shines in.

Leona G · Answer

If you have some old flower arranging frogs you could put that in the bottom of a vase to hold them in position and then arrange some of the irridisent Easter grass to cover some miniature lights, florist also have small lights that they use in arrangements that are battery operated that you could put in the vase and turn on when you want some extra sparkle.

Mary B · Answer

Oh what a great idea...I just scored a new frog at GW the other day to add to my collection. See! http://sweetwaterstyle.blogspot.com/2013/08/braggin-bout-my-bargains.html and here is my froggy collection! http://sweetwaterstyle.blogspot.com/2012/04/frogs-for-flower-arranging-and-more.html I think this would work! Thanks

Debra Peters · Answer

i was thinking clear marbles in the bottom of the vase to help make the rods stand, and mix with lites...?

Bonnie D · Answer

Rats! Debra Peters stole my suggestion! I can just see the rods lighting up a corner.

Roberta · Answer

Since you have so many, you could also use them on frames or to frame mirrors.

Colleen · Answer

These are interesting, please keep us posted as to what you do.

Starpup · Answer

Use glue dots to attach mini-xmas lights (battery-operated tiny twinkling ones-I think white could look good), put in a clear cut crystal vase along with a spray of silk poinsettias; fill in gaps with tiny silver and gold round glass ornaments. Great centerpiece or 'welcoming' piece for your foyer. :-)

Michele rivera · Answer

Mount them on a painted light weight board cut to size. The color will show through. stagger them as you mount them and fill empty spaces with glass it would be a fantastic mosaic wall hanging.

Linda Wenzlick · Answer

I saw stars made from these for sun catchers or ornaments by joining the points of the stars with twine but I'm sure some beautiful yarn or very thin ribbon would also be beautiful!

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