Thanks all. I was ready to give it up a few months ago, too, because I was having to tiptoe through the glassware to get to my file cabinet when I was gluing like crazy getting ready for a craft show. The mess was even driving me crazy. I don't think I'll do any more craft shows (well, maybe one this spring) because it's getting to be too much for an old lady like me. I've bought a few more pieces of glassware lately to go with what I already have. I probably won't give it up completely. I want to maybe do more wall flowers. Depends what sells. I also hope to make some cast leaves and mushrooms. Something a little smaller than the totems and birdbaths. Things that I can store outside....like on the bottom shelf of my potting shed. That will make DH happy. And hope to get into some other type of crafts, like altered art.

Lucky you to have a set. I've been wanting some to make a bench. Randomly glue (use a spray glue) some of the pages together in each book. Stack the books together so that they are the same height & level. When you get them set just right, then glue those books together. I would think silicone two would work but you might consider a construction type epoxy. The stacks of books will be the legs of your bench. Then put a top of some sort for sitting, on the legs. I like the look of all the bindings showing on one side. So, I would stack them all the same way and glue those little wedges of wood that are used to shimmy doors & windows to level the stacks of books. When everything is dried, I'd throw on several coats of a sealant. The books will probably soak up a lot of the seal, but it would be worth it to me to get that look. Hope you do use them for something. I kick myself now for letting a set go that my Mom & Dad bought when I was a kid. Never entered my mind that someday I'd be in love with junk! Vickie

Mod podge washes off? Not in my experience. I used it to decoupage images onto a blue plastic soap dispenser in my PR and it stands up very well to the wet environment and washing. I can't imagine it'd be any different on ceramic. I think the art looks doable, but I'd only do it on inexpensive plates that I didn't care about. If it's a valuable plate, I wouldn't risk doing anything to damage it.

Though a repeat from another site, this is what I did with a few: An old wooden framed window, a few sheets of glass, clear caulk and a glass cutter are the basic tools you will need. Simply remove the clear glass panes (if present) from the window. These will provide great templates for your colored glass. If there are no existing clear glass panels, a cardboard template will work wonders. If you purchased a multi-pane window, never assume all of the panes are the same size. Simply cut the stained glass to fit into the sections of the window. You would be amazed at how easy it is to cut glass, though I do suggest using a pistol grip cutter and not the typical cutter one can find at any hardware store. You can find easily find someone who has cut glass and will be happy to show you. My husband is actually the one who showed me, and on the second try I had it down pat. Simply cut the panels to fit the windows, use clear caulk to seal them in, and wa-la! Inexpensive first try at working with stained glass. Very simple, basic, easy to do and colorful! You can use all the same colored glass if you wish, or mix them up. I used various colors in one of my first projects, an assortment of various clear colors I had in the glass supply box. I have numerous thin strips of stained glass which I have in mind for another window created with these strips. In stripes. I'll simply cut small pieces of wood to go between the strips of glass. Though I have a few panes left to fill in (waiting for the right colors to show up at the craft store) this gives a basic idea of what I'm talking about. (copyright from another site, but this is my picture) Recently I found old wooden windows with many tiny windows, but have yet to begin that project. We live in the country, so this particular window set did not get the full treatment of sanding the windows, painting them, etc. I was going for the "Trash to treasure" feel. The picture I'm showing was taken in the shade, but you should see the colors when the sun sets on the windows! :-) Here is a link that might be useful: