Hi. This is Shirley Bovshow, garden designer and co-host of Discovery Home Channel's "Garden Police" show. I love to use tumbled glass in the garden! It's expensive, so I always use a underlayment material or weed cloth so that the glass does not become imbedded in the soil. My co-host, Michael Glassman and I have used tumbled glass in a variety of our designs for the show. I also have used it in my private practice. Please take a look at some of the photos from my web site. Hope it inspires some ideas. In a dry river bed: http://shirleybovshow.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=56&Itemid=85 In a succulent garden bed: http://shirleybovshow.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=76&Itemid=69&limit=1&limitstart=5 For a glass runnel and detailing a fountain: http://shirleybovshow.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=73&Itemid=69&limit=1&limitstart=8 I have a lot more photos. I invite you to watch my show on the Discovery Home Channel every Thursday night at 8 PM. I have an extensive database of all Garden Police episodes with before and after photos, details and sources for garden decor material and plant lists. You can check out the web site after each episode airs for this information. By the way, we use American Specialty Glass. They ship all over the country. Shirley Bovshow Garden Designer, Host Garden Police Show Here is a link that might be useful: Shirley Bovshow/ Garden Police Show

Get a hold of a tumbler(Harbor Frieght) and some stained glass from a stained glass store or Hobby Lobby, and tumble for a day or so...WAAAAYYY cheaper! and easy. Or use bottles smashed up and tumbled. Just make sure it real colored bottles and not the painted stuff as it will wear off. Clear will turn white.

A member now passed on - FLAGTRUCK - had a small one from Harbor Freight - they were about $100 last time I checked. She used it to tumble plate shards. I suppose you could tumble glass, but I wouldn't think for very long at a time. Last time I tumbled glass was in an ice cream freezer, and 15/20 minutes was long enough. Excuse me, but disturbing neighbors wouldn't keep me from using it outside. My neighbors used to get the sound of my tile saw, which is much louder than a mixer.

Vintage, I thought maybe a little explanation was needed. If you want to smooth the edges of your glass, just put the glass in the tumbler with water (about 1/2"-1" over the glass) and a drop of dish detergent. Let it run for 30-45 minutes. If you want the sea glass look, then you add the grit and must tumble it for quite a while. You can get the same results by placing your glass in a jar or plastic container and shake it or roll it around.