DIY Beach Stone & Glass Garden Paver

Make a one-of-a-kind stepping stone for your garden using simple supplies, natural beach treasures, and colorful glass. This version uses a plastic gardening tray and a sand mold, which gives the finished paver a smooth surface with your design beautifully revealed once flipped.

Visit our Instagram or Facebook to see a short video with the step by step!

We made ours with the Jerusalem Cross. The Jerusalem Cross is an ancient Christian symbol that dates back to the Crusades in the 11th century. It features a large central cross surrounded by four smaller crosses, often interpreted as Christ and the four Gospels reaching to the corners of the earth. While it has strong Catholic roots—especially linked with the Franciscans and pilgrimages to the Holy Land—it is also recognized and used more broadly as a symbol of Christianity worldwide.

Materials

• 24" square plastic gardening tray (or similar container)

• Sand – about ½" layer to cover the tray bottom

• Beach stones – rinsed and dried

• Glass vase filler beads (flat marbles)

• Mortar mix (or sand/topping mix)

• Bucket + trowel/spoon for mixing

• Stick or pencil for sketching your design

• Water + spray bottle

• Hose for rinsing after release

• Gloves + dust mask (for safety when mixing mortar)

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Prepare your tray

• Place your plastic gardening tray on a flat, level surface.

• Pour about ½ inch of sand evenly across the bottom and smooth it out.

2. Sketch your design

• Use a stick or pencil to lightly draw your pattern in the sand.

• Simple shapes and flowing lines work well. This will be your guide for placing stones and glass.

3. Place the stones and glass

• Position the glass beads sideways so that half of each bead is visible above the sand.

• Place the beach stones the same way—half in the sand, half showing.

• Arrange them carefully, following your sketched design.

4. Mix the mortar

• In a bucket, combine mortar mix with water according to package directions.

• Aim for a consistency similar to thick cake batter—spreadable but not runny.

5. Fill the tray

• Gently spoon the mortar over the sand, stones, and glass.

• Spread slowly to avoid shifting your design.

• Continue until the whole tray is filled and the surface is covered evenly.

• Smooth the top flat with a trowel or the back of a spoon.

6. Let it cure

• Allow the mortar to cure undisturbed for at least 24 hours (longer in cool/damp weather).

7. Reveal your design

• Once hardened, carefully flip the plastic tray over onto the ground.

• Lift off the tray and gently hose away the loose sand.

• Your stones and glass design will be revealed on the surface of the paver.

Tips & Tricks

• Test layout first: Arrange stones and glass on the table before pressing them into sand.

• Go bold: Large stones or clustered glass beads create strong visual impact.

• Optional sealer: A clear concrete sealer can make colors pop and protect from weather.

• More curing = stronger stone: While you can unmold after 24 hours, full strength develops after 28 days.

This method is quick, simple, and kid-friendly—perfect for turning family rock-collecting trips into lasting garden art. 🌿✨