Turn cracked glass into treasure

Hands-on time: Less than an hour.
Total time: Window paint becomes translucent in 24 hours. Entire project will take 48 hours.
Skill: Easy.
Cost estimate for paint: $8 to $24 (depending on number of colours).

Materials & Tools

• An old window with leaded design that has cracked panes (available at flea markets, salvage centres or garage sales)
• Arti'stick window paint colours by Pébéo, available at Loomis Art Stores (I used 01 yellow, 02 orange, 07 dark green, 08 light green, 05 dark blue, 06 light blue)
• A small artist's spatula
• A fine-tip paintbrush
• Damp cloth or paper towels
• Swag ceiling hooks (available at hardware retailers)

If you're out on the flea market circuit this summer, you might spot old leaded windows with cracked panes. They can be transformed into real gems. Minor cracks can be camouflaged by using Arti'stick window paints to add texture and colour. Once the gel dries it becomes translucent, creating a stained-glass look.

This camouflage treatment involves applying and blending Arti'stick window paints with a spatula directly onto the cracked window panes. The gel medium also acts as an adhesive and prevents the glass pane from cracking further.

Using this technique is less expensive than having the cracks repaired professionally or purchasing the equipment to do it yourself.

Sand, paint or strip the window frame if needed prior to the paint application. I left the frame in its natural state. Before starting, clean the panes with a light soapy cloth and wipe dry.

To create a bevelled stained-glass effect, I mixed two paint colours of similar hues in each pane. I did two diamond-shape panes in each of the following colour combinations: yellow with orange, dark and light green, and then dark and light blue. Work on one colour combination at a time. Apply the paints directly from the tubes. Squeeze orange paint onto a window pane in a swirl motion and then apply the yellow paint in the same manner over and around the orange. Use a spatula to blend and spread the two colours in a criss-cross manner to completely cover one pane area at a time.

Do not overmix the colours. When dry, the spatula-blended strokes will have a brilliant, translucent stained-glass look. For a clean finish, use a fine-tip paintbrush to apply the paint along the edges of the lead strip shapes. Wipe the lead lines with a damp cloth or paper towel to remove any excess paint.

Repeat the same step for each additional colour combination for the remaining panes. Let the paint dry for at least 24 hours until it becomes translucent. Touch-ups or a second application can be added if needed. Once dry, turn the window pane over and repeat the whole process. This way no one will know which side or pane had a crack.

Use swag ceiling hooks to hang your stained glass creation. Old window frames can make intriguing wall or ceiling decorative accents, especially if used between two rooms.

Tips

• Do not let your project dry in the sun, room temperature is recommended.
• The same process can be used on regular windows and other glass items around your home. Pébéo also sells self-adhesive lead strips, which can allow you to transform plain windows and glass doors or panels into original works of art.

Variations

• Children can keep busy this summer making their own creations with Arti'sticks.
• Once a basic design like a flower, ladybug or geometric shapes are dry, they can be easily peeled off and repositioned onto windows and other surfaces, like mirrors, vases, candles, ceramic tiles, metal, assorted jars and assorted home plastic accessories.