I learned to work with foreign/found/recycled objects and glass shards on Magazine Street in New Orleans. Using stencils to help design pictures in various sizes from 3 x 3 to 12 x 14 on mat painting boards or wood or molds, one places pieces of broken glass to make a picture. Later it is sealed with resin. Unique pieces! No drawing!
When I was in New Orleans last fall, I took a few lessons on how to make pictures with glass shards (pieces of broken glass). One could use a stencil or your own creative idea to design/position the glass. The glass is mounted on wood or paint frames in sizes ranging from 5×7, 8×10, to 12×14. Then, the artwork is sealed with a coat of resin.
This Flower is made on a wooden board (6 x 12) with a long, thick necklace coming out of a light switch cover and turned over ½ way to reveal its gold backing. The buds are bottle caps with a gold bead on top. Glass pieces make the leaves and flower.
The Seahorse (12 x 14 mat board) has rocks and shells at the base, as well as various shards.
The Dragon Fly (8 x 11) is made on a mat board with various pieces of glass shards.