Glass Block Tutorial

Several years ago while in a local florist shop, I saw these fabulous lit glass blocks with pictures on them. That got me thinking, hey, why couldn't I stamp on a block! Through trial and error, my husband, Lloyd (the handy guy with the drill) and I came up with this version. Hopefully through the pictures, web link and my directions, you too can make some of these fun blocks!

Lloyd found these great directions on drilling your own block , this is a site for diamond drills, you'll have to click on the "How To Use Diamond Drills", about 2/3 of the page down are the instructions for drilling the glass blocks... don't let the directions scare you, it's not that complicated! There are many sites where they sell diamond core drill bits, here are a couple just be sure to check quality of bit before purchasing.

*NOTE* The drill bit in my pictures is not one of the diamond core bits, it is a masonry carbide bit. BUT, from here on out we will be using the diamond core bits (now that Lloyd did the research...hehe)

You won't find diamond core bits at your local hardware store.

You can purchase the glass blocks at your local building supply store and if you don't have a drill press, I'm sure someone you know has one or knows someone who does. Offer to bake them some cookies in exchange for drilling *wink*...Lloyd likes chocolate chip.

Ok...... here we go....Glass Block 101

Drilling the block

It's very important to keep spraying water on the drill bit as it gets very hot in the process. That was my job! It was tough, but someone had to do it!

I like to paint my block with Gesso as it gives the block some texture and the ink something to grab onto.

Here, I used a sponge, but I've also used a sponge paint brush. You want to try to get the Gesso on evenly and not too thick or you'll have dark spots when your lights are on. Gesso is available at any craft department and dries quickly.

Now you're ready to stamp your images. You need to use a permanant ink, I like to use Stazon (although in the picture you'll see Brilliance because my Stazon was getting dry!)
The sky is the limit when it comes to decorating your block.

Remember the 'trial/error' part? Try to be careful not to scratch your gesso'd block because if you have to touch up with more gesso, you'll have dark spots.

Now the fun part, coloring your block!

Back to the 'trial and error' again...hehe...

I've tried painting with ink from the pad (before I had reinkers) and with reinkers. Also using a waterbrush, paint brush, blender pen and now my favorite, the Fantastix by Tsunkineko. For now my favorite is the reinkers as you can get more intense color, although you could use any paint product, I'm sure. I just haven't branched out *gotten brave* and tried it! Experiment, you'll never know till you try!

Your final step for the block front will be to give it several coats of some kind of sealer to protect it and give it a nice finish.

Insert your string of lights and enjoy! (the shorter the string of lights the easier it is to insert)


This is by no means the only way to do these, just my way *wink*

have fun!!!

*some questions...and hopefully some answers*

Yes, you put Christmas lights into the block, the shorter the string the better (it takes a while to push all those lights into the hole!)

Where you put the hole is up to you, but we put them in a lower corner on the back side of the block. You could put it on the side if you wanted to decorate both sides of the block.

My first blocks were drilled with a 1/2in drill bit, too hard to get the lights in that little hole! Lloyd now uses a 3/4in drill bit...ahhh, easier

Here's a link to another block I made.

And here's a link to an interesting blog about drill bits!

thanks for stopping!

Dawn