There is just something about glass that always brings out my creativity and I look at all types of glass containers and just imagine how I could decorate them. Since I have a huge abundance of “spirit” bottles donated to me from friends, family and some restaurants, these are what I work on most.
A lot of the first bottles were done in Galleria glass paint and I still use it extensively for items I paint that are mostly intended for decorative pieces. These paints have a tip on the bottles that makes it much easier and the application can be thicker than with a brush. Pébéo Glass Paints and markers are another medium I use for things that might be washed on a regular basis. The paints need to be applied with a brush or use you can use the markers. Both have to be baked in the oven to cure them.
First things first…you have to thoroughly clean the bottles, inside and out. When I have several bottles saved up, I fill the bathtub up with fairly warm water and let them soak until the labels start falling off. Then after I’ve cleaned up all that mess, I use dishwashing liquid and a bottle brush and clean the insides. You may have to use something like Goo Gone to get the adhesive from the labels off. Then I use hot water to rinse them because it seems like they dry faster. Microfiber towels do well to put the finishing touches on them. The outside has to be really clean and residue free.
While painting on a rounded surface or any three dimensional surface, you have to do it in sections. I usually use place something like Styrofoam pieces under the upper part of the neck of the bottle and as close to the edge of the bottom of the bottle I can so I can rotate the bottle as it dries and not disturb the painted areas. Do not rotate the bottle too soon; wait until you see transparent areas that look dry. If you move it too soon, the paint will slide off!
After 8-10 hours of drying time, you can embellish your design with small stones, rhinestones, glitter paint, etc. but be careful again about rotating the bottle when you glue the embellishments on. Let the glue dry some first or the embellishments will slide off, also.
You can make your own stoppers from bottle corks by sticking decorative picks, etc. I find a lot of these things in the Christmas ornaments and picks at the craft stores. You can use large acrylic stones by hollowing out a place in the top of the cork for the end of the stone to be glued in to. I also use purchased bottle stoppers when I find some really unique ones on sale somewhere.
Always use a strong glue and the appropriate drying time.
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