** I’m sorry I sold out of glitter so quickly. I just ordered more and will have it back in stock ASAP! **
Years ago, I read an article about German glass glitter featuring Wendy Addison. I think I even clipped out the article and put it in my old school, pre-Pinterest “idea binder.” Fast forward to when I started my business. The very first thing I made was hand painted wooden ornaments, but the second holiday season, I wanted to do something different, so I sought out the German glass glitter I fell in love with in that magazine article.
I remember getting my first order. It was so sparkly and beautiful…not like any other glitter out there. I started glittering anything that would hold still long enough…
…Pine Cones …
…a metal star found for a dollar at a thrift store that topped the Little tree in the living room last year…
…papier mache and cheap plastic ornaments that needed a bit of sparkle and have since adorned my Christmas tree…
…and chipboard letters, plastic tiaras, small banners and more. I’ve sold glittery things in my retail spaces for years and then started selling jars of the glitter itself. Now, finally, I am selling it in my online store.
If you’re not familiar with it, German glass glitter is made in Germany and it is made from crushed glass, so the name is literal. It’s definitely a “big girl” glitter and not one that is for kid’s crafts. Since it’s crushed glass, it does have sharp edges, but in all of my years working with it, I’ve only been stuck once or twice.
The glitter I’m selling in my shop is a 4 oz. jar, which is plenty to do dozens of ornaments, pine cones or chipboard letters. It is my own custom blend of my favorite grits that I use for all of my projects. To use it, simply brush the surface you want to glitter with a white school glue (like Elmer’s) and sprinkle it with the glitter. Definitely do this over a tray or container, so you catch every bit of glitter and can reuse it. The glass glitter will tarnish like silver over time, which can look lovely if it doesn’t go too far. I store mine in a lidded plastic container when it’s not used for Christmas and it has stayed beautiful for several years. Pieces that are left out year round will tarnish more as they are exposed to the air.
(I know “coarse” is misspelled on the label. We missed that in the proofing, so we’ll all just have to live with it until these labels run out.)
I will give you a warning about German glass glitter…once you use it, no other glitter will ever measure up.
Don’t say I didn’t warn you.
Today was packed full. I did my workout, attended a virtual meeting with my MMSMP team and worked on some photo shoots with my intern, Kelly. I’ve been working on pictures for the lookbook for the milk paint line, which is like “playing magazine”, and today we shot some images for the color Dried Lavender.
Kelly was a lovely impromptu model. Her outfit was just so perfect that I couldn’t resist asking her to pose for me.
This evening, my mom came over to have some dinner and help me with making the slips for the dining room chairs. We got a lot of the pieces cut and the piping sewn and I was able to complete one. I’m the kind of person who needs something finished when I’m done working.
I’m all fluttery about how it turned out and I can’t wait to show you a preview.
25 Responses
Ok, so it’s 7:15 a.m. CST and the Glass Glitter is “out of stock”
I’m SO bummed! I’ve been waiting for this to hit your on-line store and I’ve missed it. Boo-Hoo!
Please let me know when it’s re-stocked!
Oh goodness! I’ll order more today!
Hi Marian, I love the German Glass Glitter and will be checking out your online store. My husband’s family is from Germany. We have some antique Christmas pieces that I cherish. I love the idea of making a few new “heirlooms”.
Can’t wait till it’s restocked! I have a bag of pinecones that my students collected for me yesterday while waiting for class 🙂
I just checked out the web site and it already said sold out…..are you going to have some more? I love all your ornaments!
Does the German Glass Glitter leave glitter all over when it is dry and you put it on the tree and take the ornaments off the tree like other glitter does? I do not like glitter like that. I will not buy any christmas ornaments that have glitter on it. Is there any other colors?
I really love that you get “fluttery” about great furniture and finishing projects. Just like me! 🙂
You gave me a little jar of that glitter at Haven, when I gave you your (long overdue) mini stockings. I’ve been waiting patiently to use it for some Christmas crafts and I’m SO excited to finally get to it! In the interim it’s been decorating my sewing room. Love the little quilted Ball jars you use. Thanks so much 🙂
So bummed it’s already out of stock. Please post when it’s back in stock.
Thanks!
~ Chris
Marian, I love the glass glitter, too – thanks to you! I ordered some soon after you posted your glass glittered letters tutorial a few years back and now I always keep some handy. It looks beautiful in those little glass jars. Btw, the photo of the glittered pinecones hanging from your chandelier will always be one of my all time favorite pictures.
your amazing.it is so cool to see how you have grown.your look is so unique.fresh,vintage,clean.just right.love the glitter.my sister had a home decor store and i did a lot of the merchandising,one year i needed glitter for Halloween.so i crushed up a broken mirror for it.it turned out really cool,kinda reminds me of it.i’m having a hard time knowing what my style is.i am an artist and i just get so flippy floppy with my looks .i like too many,.any suggestions
OK, I have waited and waited for this day to buy german glitter glass and it is already out of stock??? What????
Hi Marian, I have a few Wendy Addison pieces (silver glitter) that have tarnished until almost black. They are not at all attractive any more. If I had realized that would happen, I would have tried to protect them with some sort of spray. Do all the colors tarnish? Also, do you know of anything I can spray on future pieces to keep it from happening? Oh, and one last thing- do you know of anything I could use to try to get some of the tarnish off? Or maybe I could just add some new glitter on top, then seal them.
I love your Christmas tree! Can’t wait to get some glitter and give it a try.
GORGEOUS!! I haven’t ever had the chance to play with German Glass Glitter, but I’m excited to someday!!! Thanks for sharing! -Jen
Well, as I feared, that didn’t last long. I got home from my car repair appt, and alas, it was up and gone already. Will be looking forward to your restock!
I am just so excited – can’t wait to have some super duper glitter!
Roll on your next order
Soooooooooo excited, both for our furniture and our floristry…x
Love
Trixie
x
http://www.lovinglymadeltd.co.uk
That tree in the photos is fabulous Marian. Loved the idea of using pages of music in a chain/flag effect. Fantastic!
I’m just sayin…I know its for decorating but the first thing I said to myself is…DANG that would be pretty on my nails.!!
I would order a jar of the glitter glass too when new stock comes in.
oh, that is interesting!
I am german and did not know that there is german glass glitter ;0)
I am gonna ask my mum about that.
After reading a posting by you two years, I purchased German glass glitter on eBay. I LOVE it! It sparkles better, looks expensive, and adds a touch of vintage to anything you put it on!
I really like the german glass glitter and the many ways you have used it. Also the music pages on your tree are great!
In the picture of Kelly, the gravel(?) is blue. How lovely. What is it made of? Is it really that blue?
Here’s a thought- you mention that the glitter tarnishes over time. I was once told by a friend that the little silica gel packets found in various things that we buy, if kept in a jewel box will keep silver from tarnishing. I have since tried it and it seems to work. I wonder if these little paper packets of silica gel placed in the jars of glitter would accomplish the same thing. It might be worth trying.
how do you keep glass glitter from turning dark?
I’m echoing in on Kathie’s question above – I have 2 beautiful Christmas ornaments covered with German glass glitter that after a couple of years, have both tarnished badly – anyway to restore and maintain their sparkle?
You really have to re-glitter them, since they can’t be polished. in the future, store them in an airtight bag.