BOTTLE UP! 2019 “GARNET & WINGS” Challenge - Altered Bottle

Anita Buckowing has started a Facebook challenge group called BOTTLE UP! 2019.

Here’s what the group is about: 

“Welcome to BOTTLED UP! 2019.

This is a themed project-based group that is open to all with the hope that all participants have fun and enjoy sharing their creations and maybe learn something too.

This Group was inspired by a post on MyModernMet.com that detailed a ceramic artist that created unique bottles for 100 days straight.  After discussion with a few friends, we decided to challenge participants to create a unique bottle every two weeks (total of 26 bottles in 2019).

Since some folks like themes to help provide direction to their creative energy, we decided to publish a schedule (each month has a birthstone color theme and every two weeks has a subject theme).”

While I am not sure I will be able to meet the challenge and keep up with creating a bottle every 2 weeks, I have challenged myself to create at least one a month!

It’s a fun way to think outside my normal “clay jewelry” box these days.  It’s also a great way to showcase not only my favorite glass etching products from etchall®, but 

to show the broad range of applications of another of my favorite versatile products - Makin’s Clay®! 

For my first bottle I’m following the January themes of Garnet & Wings.

Materials: 

Glass bottle 

etchall® Creme 

etchall® Etchmask

etchall® Pick Tool (or craft knife)

Makin’s Clay® - Red 

Makin’s Professional® Ultimate Clay Machine® 

Makin’s Professional® Cutting Mat 

Spellbinders® butterfly die and die cutting machine

Self-adhesive faux gemstones 

Alcohol ink (optional) 

Beacon® Mixed-Media Glue 

FloraCraft® Submersible LED Light Strand, 15 Lights

Squeegee 

Scissors 

Red organza ribbon 

Instructions:

You can find the instructions on how I made my dimensional Makin's Clay® butterflies for my altered bottle here. 

Following manufacturer instructions, cut desired number of butterflies from etchmask using butterfly die. Use pick tool or craft knife to remove any unwanted pieces that remain after cutting. 

Wash and dry bottle.  

Place butterfly masks onto bottle where desired. Be sure to press to adhere well in all areas. 

Apply a thick coat of etchall® creme over the surface of the bottle. Let set 15 minutes. 

Use squeegee to return creme to the bottle - etchall® is re-usable!  

Wash bottle thoroughly and remove etchmask butterflies.  Let dry. 

Use Beacon Mixed-Media Glue to mount clay butterflies to the bottle where desired.  

If you have the desired color faux gemstones, apply as desired to make “flight trails” behind butterflies.   If you only have clear/silver gemstones, a great way to color them is with a touch of alcohol ink.  Non-adhesive faux gemstones can be substituted and adhered with the same Mixed-Media Glue.  

 

Add a bit of glow inside your bottle and highlight your etched butterfly details with a string of LED lights.  These lights from FloraCraft® can be turned off and on with a simple twist.  I used a touch of the Mixed-Media Glue to actually adhere the plastic battery case to the bottle top. 

Wrap organza ribbon around the rim of the bottle and up far enough to cover the light case.  Tie a bow and the bottle is complete!