This is one of the reuse projects that I stumbled upon several years ago, and I am happy that the creator is still active. Daniel Maher, of DM Stained Glass [Facebook], makes stunning stained glass windows, and teaches courses for beginners and the more experienced.

The project I was first impressed with was a window made of green bottle bottoms.

Credit: Daniel Maher

The style originates in what is called crown glass windows.

Daniel has done several such “stained glass” windows since, which he shows in his gallery of Housewares Graveyard. Even though these windows require a level of mastery to make, I think they serve as an inspiration for reuse of old bottles, or even some “poor mans stained glass” [YouTube, New Yorkshire Workshop] with Vitrail and lead-like edge banding.

Description from the Housewares Graveyard gallery:

The Graveyard series are windows whose primary glass is rescued from the mundane life of serving bowls, platters, goblets, lids, jars and general household utility. There are a limited number of glasses available as a “stained glass” material that possess strong prismatic qualities or have images imprinted in them. The texture of glass bends light depending on its irregular or cut surface. Assembling the variety of textures creates a jewel-like symphony of texture. The limited availability of these objects makes each piece unique and a one-of-a-kind work of art.