Seedling Protectors

• Use large sheets of glass over freshly planted and watered seed flats when starting your garden. They are much easier to remove for watering than paper or plastic wraps, and you can see through them to check on newly emerging seedlings. They will not distort or tear, and due to their heavier weight, they stay in place better. Best of all, they are reusable from season to season -- simply stack them out of the way when not in use.
  
  

Art Aids

• Small glass panes make excellent palettes for mixing artists' paints. They are smooth for ultrafine blending, and because they are transparent, it is easy to see the exact hue of the paint before applying it to the canvas. Glass sheets also come in handy in the art studio as translucent light boxes for tracing or viewing photographic slides. Extra large glass sheets -- particularly if thick or tempered -- also make handy tops for work tables where a smooth surface is desirable.
  
  

Replacement Glass

• It is a good idea to keep a few windowpanes around in sizes similar to the panes in your existing windows. You never know when a mishap will crack or shatter a windowpane. On a mid-January weekend, you may want to replace that pane quickly instead of waiting for a professional glazier to do the job. Keep a glass cutter handy to cut sheets to size and make the repair yourself. You can use these spare sheets to repair broken glazing over art and photographic prints as well.
  
  

Sharpening Tools

• You can use old glass sheets to aid in sharpening knives and other edged tools. Since glass is smooth, it makes a perfect substrate upon which to glue assorted grades of sandpaper for a flat and level sanding surface. Use adhesive glue to attach sandpaper, and then immediately go over each piece with a rolling pin to smooth out any wrinkles before the glue dries. Hone the blade edges by positioning them at the correct angle over the sandpaper and applying gentle force in the same way you would use a sharpening stone.
  
  

Garden Tepees

• Early in the gardening season when plants are young and vulnerable to late frosts, it is a good idea to offer them at least minimal protection. Two panes of glass partially buried in the ground at their bases and propped against one another at the tops offer a protective tepee against harsh winds and downpours, while letting in the necessary light for growth. Aim the openings away from cold north winds and the sun will warm them somewhat as well.