Recycled Crafts

Creative DIY Projects That Turn Trash Into Treasure

How to melt recycled glass bottles in a microwave to make jewelry

by

melt glass bottles in microwave

I’ve always been interested in learning new things and expanding my skills, so when I received a microwave kiln as a gift, I knew I wanted to try my hand at fusing recycled glass into jewelry. I was a bit intimidated at first because I had never tried anything like this before, but I was also really excited to give it a go. I’ve always been interested in upcycling and finding new ways to create beautiful items from what would normally be considered waste, so this seemed like the perfect opportunity to combine my interests and try something new.

I started by gathering up all the recycled glass I could find. I rummaged through thrift stores, checked local recycling centers, and even asked friends and family if they had any unwanted glass they’d like to donate. Once I had a good collection, I was ready to start my first project.

To offer some guidance on how to fuse recycled glass into jewelry, I decided to watch the videos posted on the blog Upcycle Design Lab. This blog is all about upcycling and repurposing, and they have a great section on fusing glass into jewelry. I was really impressed by the quality of the videos and how easy they made the process seem. The instructions were clear and easy to follow, and the end results were stunning.

I was so eager to try it for myself, so I set up my workspace and got to work. I started with a simple project, just to get the hang of it, and was pleasantly surprised at how quickly and easily the process came together. Before I knew it, I had created my first piece of jewelry from recycled glass, and I was so proud of myself.

I’ve been hooked ever since and have been experimenting with different techniques and designs. I’ve even started to make gifts for friends and family, and they’ve been amazed at what I’ve been able to create with just a microwave kiln and some recycled glass. I’m so grateful to have found this new hobby and to have the resources and guidance available to me through the Upcycle Design Lab blog. I’m looking forward to seeing where this journey takes me and what new and exciting creations I’ll be able to make in the future!

How to dip paint recycled glass bottles

7 Things to Make With an Old Window Shutter

How to make faux beach glass bottles

 

Related Posts:

Have you read?

How To Make A Milk Carton Village – A Recycled Craft for Kids

Ready to turn your recycling bin into a colorful, miniature village? Grab those empty milk cartons and let’s create a town filled with tiny houses, shops, and even a school or bakery! This craft is perfect for kids of all ages and encourages imagination, storytelling, and eco-friendly creativity.

 What You’ll Need:

  • Empty milk or juice cartons (washed and dried)

  • Paints or markers

  • Paintbrushes

  • Craft glue or glue stick

  • Scissors (adult supervision recommended)

  • Colored paper or old magazines

  • Bottle caps, buttons, or plastic lids (for windows or decorations)

  • Sticks, straws, or skewers (for flag poles or chimneys)

  • Optional: glitter, stickers, washi tape, cotton balls (for snow or clouds!)

 Step-by-Step Instructions:

Step 1: Clean and Prep the Cartons
Make sure your milk or juice cartons are washed and completely dry. Remove any plastic lids or caps and keep them for decorations!

Step 2: Plan Your Village
Decide how many buildings you want to make. Each milk carton becomes a house, shop, or whatever your imagination dreams up. Arrange them side by side or in a circle like a real village square.

Step 3: Cut Out Doors and Windows
With the help of an adult, carefully cut small door and window shapes into your cartons. You can also glue cut-out shapes from colored paper if you’d rather not cut into the carton.

Step 4: Paint and Decorate
Use paint or markers to bring your buildings to life. Make brick patterns, colorful siding, or roof tiles. Let each child choose their own theme – rainbow bakery, monster house, fairy home, or tiny fire station!

Step 5: Add the Roofs
You can paint the top pointy part of the carton like a roof, or glue on cardboard triangles to create overhangs. Want to add a chimney? Glue a straw or cardboard roll on top!

Step 6: Make Flags and Signs
Cut small flags from recycled plastic or paper and tape them to straws or sticks. Glue your flags to the rooftops. You can even create tiny signs for each building – “Toy Store,” “Library,” or “Super Cat’s House.”

Step 7: Build Your Village
Place all the finished buildings together on a large piece of cardboard, tray, or table. Use bottle caps for stepping stones, cotton balls for bushes or clouds, and draw roads with marker.

Step 8: Play!
Now that your village is built, use little toys, action figures, or LEGO people to live in your new town. Create stories and adventures—your Milk Carton Village is officially open!

 Learning Bonus:

This craft is not just fun—it also teaches recycling, fine motor skills, creative thinking, and storytelling. Plus, it’s a great group activity for playdates, classrooms, or family craft nights.

Let your kids’ imaginations run wild—and remember, no two villages need to look the same. Each one tells its own story!