Altered Bottle Challenge - "Garnet & Wings"

Anita Buckowing has started a Facebook challenge group called BOTTLE UP! 2019.  If you'd like to join the fun, 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 and share with the group 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.  Here's how I created the delicate, dimensional butterfly accents for my altered bottle. 

Materials:

Glass bottle 

Makin’s Clay® - Red 

Makin’s Professional® Ultimate Clay Machine® 

Makin’s Professional® Cutting Mat 

Instructions:

Make a sheet of Red Makin’s Clay® by rolling through the Ultimate Clay Machine® beginning on setting #1, and increasing one setting at a time to setting #8. Let sheet dry overnight. Cut to as size that will fit through your die cutting machine. 

Following manufacturer instructions, cut desired number of butterflies from dried sheet of Makin’s Clay®. Makin’s Clay® remains flexible after drying and is lightweight, not brittle, etc. A great option for die cutting to add dimension to your projects. Use clay tool, or craft knife, to remain any unwanted pieces that remain after cutting. 

If you'd like more information on how I created the etched glass effect on the bottle, find those instructions here.  

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!