If you’re like us, you’ve been indulging in quite a bit of wine at home lately. And as we find ourselves with a few more empty bottles lying around than normal, we wanted to share some creative ways to repurpose those bottles into something beautiful. On the heels of Earth Day, and in the spirit of sustainability, home improvement and DIY guru Cassie Bustamante created an easy DIY table display using empty 90+ Cellars wine bottles. This project will bring a little spring into your home in no time.
So before you toss your empties into the recycling bin, grab a few bottles (bonus points if you can mix in a couple of different shapes) and let’s get started. It’s a great way to spend a weekend crafternoon!
You’ll need
- Empty 90+ Cellars wine bottles
- Metal Leaf Adhesive Size
- Metallic Foil Transfer Sheets
- Foam paint brush
Step 1
Pour yourself a glass of wine to sip while you create! This is an important first step, not only to get the creative juices flowing, but also to ensure all of the wine bottles are empty. Cassie enjoyed three delicious spring-friendly wines - Lot 2 Sauvignon Blanc, Lot 42 Pinot Grigio and Lot 158 Beaujolais - in preparation for this project. All three bottles are slightly different shapes and shades as well, which provided some dimension for the final result.
Step 2
Remove the labels. Some labels will peel off easily, but if yours does not, soak the bottle in warm water for 30 minutes and then wipe the label off with a rag. Use a little Goo Gone to ensure there isn’t any sticky residue left over. Fresh lemon juice is another great, and natural, way to do this. Finally, dry off the bottle to ensure you’re working with a clean canvas.
Step 3
Lay down parchment paper to collect any loose flakes or drips.
Step 4
Apply Metal Leaf Adhesive Size (like this one) on the outside of the bottle. If you like an organic look like Cassie, start at the base of the bottle, brush about halfway up and leave a rough edge. Or if you prefer a straight line, just tape it off wherever you’d like the gold leaf to end.
Step 5
Wait 30 minutes. When it’s ready, the Adhesive Size will be clear but sticky.
Step 6
Now it’s time to apply the foil. Cassie used Gold Leaf, which comes in small squares with tissue paper on one side. Gently press the Gold Leaf onto the Adhesive Size with a foam brush and pull back the tissue paper. Use the tissue to wipe away excess Gold Leaf. Repeat all the way around the bottle.
Your bottles are all done (yes, it’s that easy)! Now pick some spring blooms on your next walk through the neighborhood, pop them into your vases and create a beautiful spring table display.