Decoupage Glass To Make a Pretty Paperweight

How to makea customizable DIY paperweight by repurposing glass from a thrift store light fixture. This easy DIY paperweight project will not only hold your papers down, but they also make a great gift idea that can be personalized in many colors and styles depending on the decorative paper, fabric or printable words you use.

In my quest to keep my papers on my desk better organized I made two pretty paperweights by repurposing glass from a broken outdoor light fixture.

With a printed copy of the words – To Do and FILE, decoupage medium, scissors, and glue I had myself two brand new handmade paper weights for my desk.

Where to Find Beveled Glass To Make a DIY Paperweight

My inspiration to make a useful pretty glass paperweights was a broken light fixture I found at the thrift store for a $2.00.

What makes this style of brass and glass light fixture ideal to repurpose into a paperweight is that each section of glass is beveled with finished edges.

The type of beveled glass can also be found in brass and glass boxes as shown in the photo above. This type of beveled glass is great to use as the edges are not sharp. They are smooth and finished and ready to use once you remove them from the fixture.

How To Make a Pretty Glass Paperweight

You can decoupage any type of paper to the back of the glass. Gift wrap, photos, tissue paper, napkins, scrapbook paper, a computer printout with a quote or favorite design.

You can make a computer printout of your initials using a favorite font decoupage a monogram print, or favorite quote onto a piece of glass to personalize your paperweight.

supplies needed:

Printable for FILE
Printable for TO DO or To Do .pdf
Typography gift wrap used on To Do paperweight can be found at Luxe Paperie
Beveled glass or flat glass that has smooth finished edges
Tin snips or point nose pliers
Razor blade
Mod Podge
Spray bottle of water
Paint brush
Piece of gift wrap, card stock, scrapbook paper, fabric or computer printed designs on paper
Felt in coordinating color
Craft knife
Pencil
Spray glue
Scissors
Safety glasses and work gloves

Time needed: 1 hour

How to Make a DIY Glass Paperweight

Download .pdf or Make Your Own
If using the download printable .pdfs. Use your printer interface to print to size needed.

Print out a few hours before to make sure ink is dry before making the paperweight. Once Mod Podge is brushed over it – cure time is a few hours.

If using your own image or decorative paper, cut to the size of the glass.
Remove Glass
Put on work gloves and safety glasses. Use tin snips, wire cutters or point nose pliers to grab and carefully pull away the metal strips from the glass.

Wash each piece of glass in hot soapy water and use a razor blade to remove any caked-on adhesive along the edges.
Cut Images or Paper
Using scissors or craft knife, cut out your paper and images to size.
Brush On Mod Podge
Brush on a thick even coat of Mod Podge on top of your .pdf printout or paper. Don’t move the brush around too much as you don’t want to smear the ink.

Let it dry thoroughly on a flat surface. When it is dry it will be clear and shiny.

Add a second even coat of Mod Podge over your print-out and then spray it lightly with water.

Roll or brush a thin even coat of Mod Podge on the back side of the glass.
Place Design Face Down
On the back side of the glass, place print or paper face down on the back of the glass. You will have a few minutes before it dries to get it into position.

Use a wet finger or paint brush to gently go over the back of the paper to smooth out any air bubbles and creases out to the edges of the glass.

Keep your finger wet and your touch light so you don’t rip the paper.

Let dry.
Apply Mod Podge to Back of Print or Paper
Apply a coat of Mod Podge to the back of the print or paper. Using the brush to continue getting creases and air bubbles out. Let it dry overnight.

The Mod Podge will appear white. It will dry clear. Some spots may stay whiter longer, but they will all dry clear.
Trim
Once the paper is completely dry, use a craft knife to trim all the edges by running the knife along each edge of the beveled glass.

Use glass cleaner to remove any Mod Podge that may have gotten on the top and edges of the glass.
Add Felt Backing
Cut a piece of felt to the size of your glass.

Spray glue on back of the felt. Let it get tacky, then center felt on the back of print and on top of the paper.

Use your hands to smooth. Cut excess felt with small scissors.