I was on a roll after vintaging up some brand new glass, and I knew there was more I could do with my trusty IBC bottles. These beautiful babies definitely do not belong in the trash, especially in my cheap frugal household! So here is yet another technique I did with them:
As I mentioned in my post about Giving Modern Bottles a Vintage Twist, my love for vintage glass came after I created some shell-topped bottles for my mother. But I was horrified by the price that the antique dealers and thrift shop owners got away with charging ($8 for a tiny bottle that fit in the palm of my hand! Yikes!!)
My love for vintage glass would have to wait for the day when I didn’t mind using my hard-earned money to start a fire with. (I guess there are some benefits to having a sugar daddy…) Anyways, I still had a strong obsession love for these bottles, and was constantly drooling over pictures like these in my “Inspiration” folder:
From "Country Living". Soft pops of color - lovely.
- From “A Classic Pearl” – Look at those hues!! They remind me of a misty morning in Laguna.
- From “Tears of the Sea” – LOVE. THESE. COLORS.
It was this lovely picture of sea-tumbled beach glass that cinched the choice of color for me. Aren’t those blues simply de-vine? And I absolutely adore that smooth, translucent haze that beach glass has after being thrown across the bottom of the ocean!!
It’s here that I must give credit where credit is due. I was totally inspired by Maryann’s bottles over at “Domestically Speaking”, and was immediately propelled into action after reading her post and seeing her amazing results.
From Maryann at "Domestically Speaking" - her milky blue bottles are pure bliss!!
I love how my bottles came out as much as I loved Maryann’s bottles. My bottles look to me as if that’s where the beach glass from the picture above came from, and that makes me very happy. It’s the small things… =}
Want to know how I did it?
step 1: Gather your materials, which are: glass bottles, wax paper (or newspaper, magazine paper, or anything else) to cover your work surface, acrylic paint in the color of your choice, a container to hold your paint, a paint brush, an oven, and some water. (Not sure why the “Materials” shot turned into step 1… Must have been too eager to share this tutorial with you guys!!) Also preheat your oven to the lowest setting (200 degrees, in my case).
step 2: Pour your paint into the container and add some water. I don’t even know how much water I ended up adding – I just knew I wanted the paint thinned, but not watercolor thin. You know what I mean? Yeah, I don’t either half the time.
step 3: Start painting your bottle! (I used the paintbrush to apply the paint this time because I wanted the texture that the brush strokes created to show. I was trying to make the bottles look like beach glass, and glass tumbled by the waves and currents of the sea usually has lots of texture.)
step 4: It’s at this point that you can determine if you like the consistency of your paint mixture or not. My original mixture (on the left) was thinner than I wanted it, so I added more paint. My new mixture (on the right) was more the look I was going for.
step 5: Continue painting until your entire bottle is covered.
step 6: Paint the rest of your bottles and glassware.
step 7: Place your bottles and glassware into the oven for 30 to 45 minutes. **IMPORTANT NOTE: I simply grabbed the entire wax papered cookie tray and placed the entire thing (along with the bottles) into the oven. DO. NOT. DO. THIS!!!! Take the bottles OFF the wax paper and place them directly onto the rack inside the oven.
Why, might you ask?
Because if you don’t, this will happen:
I ended up having to throw this one away because for the life of me, I just could not peel the wax paper off the bottom. It was literally baked on. Bummer, because I had big plans (and a great tutorial) planned for this particular glass. Lesson learned.
Even so, I’m totally loving the way these came out. I decorated my entire summer mantel around them!!
So there you have it! Who knew that something that would have ended up in the garbage could have made such a pretty flower vase? And the look is so versatile! Simply paint it another color to make it your own. If you’re like me and are obsessed with decorating with vintage glass, check out my other bottle tutorial about giving new bottles that distinct vintage look.
Thanks for reading and crafting with me, everyone!!
love seeing all your pictures summer time away from the ocean as there are none where I live can be made so much funner by the looks in the post you shared thanks
Thanks, Angie, and I’m really glad you like it. Just about everything I do is inspired by the sea in one way or another. I’m sure you’ll be sick of the ocean by the time I’m done. ^_- I’ll have to come visit your blog and see what part of the world you hail from. =] I find that as much as I love the ocean, there is oodles of charm in other places for me, as well. Thanks again, Angie!!
Beautiful! I have a bunch of bottles I’m itching to paint in various ways. I’ll definitely be trying this technique.
It’s always nice to find a tutorial where you already have what you need. I’d love to see the finished product, Tracy!! =]
I am so excited to do this, these are absolutely beautiful. I was just wondering what I would set the oven at when I go to bake them?
Thanks so much,
Amanda
p.s. I live at the beach too, Mandalay Shores, Oxnard, CA
Thanks for the kind words, Amanda! Honestly, I wasn’t sure what temperature I should set the oven too, either. So I just set it to the lowest my oven would go, which was 200 degrees. I allowed my bottles to bake for about 30-40 minutes, but basically what you’re looking for is for the glass to become clear again. Be careful – the glass will be extremely hot for a while. Let it sit inside the oven until it’s cool to the touch. I hope that helps, Amanda, and I’m happy to have a fellow beach-lover/liver here!! ^_^
Ohh…so pretty! I love those blues as well! Beautiful mantel…great tutorial – who knew that you could paint the bottles with that? I always used spray paint, but I do love how yours look! Excellent job! visiting from It’s So Very Cheri!
Stacey of Embracing Change
Thank you, Stacey!! I actually never even thought of painting with spray paint – what a fabulous idea!! I guess I’ll have to
demandpolitely request that my husband brings home more IBC Cream Soda so I can try that next time!! ^_-They are pretty! What a beautiful shade of blue! It certainly makes the room pop!
Thanks!! I love that turquoisey-aqua-teal color. If it was up to me I would decorate my entire house that way, but I wouldn’t want people to have to wear sunglasses inside my home. =}
Very cute! Thanks for fess’n up to the “oops” I might have done that same thing. Those blue bottles would look great in my kitchen!!
No problem, Rebecca. =] I seem to have a lot more of those “oops” moments than I’d like to admit. But I guess that’s to be expected. I am from Southern California, after all. The sun has a tendency to bake our brains. I’d love to see how your bottles turn out!! ^_^
These bottles are really neat and your mantle display is gorgeous! Great work! My blog post today included some re-purposed bottles as well. Fun stuff!
Thanks Kristen!! I saw your bottles – what a fabulous idea to paint them with chalkboard paint!! I can think of a baker’s dozen ideas to do with bottles like that. And that party was almost as adorable as your daughter. Almost… ^_^ Great job!!
My husband loves the beach and these would make him very happy:) Thanks for the great ideas! I found you at The DIY Showoff, and would love it if you stopped by too. Love your blog!
Thanks Julia!! My husband is more of a desert guy, and I wish I could convert him. ^_^ I’m on my way over to your place now to show some love. Thank you again for the kind comments!! =]
So beautiful; cool idea!! Great tutorial, and I love the pictures of your mantel.
http://www.freestylinbeth.com
Thanks Beth!! =]
Ohh I sooo adore glass jars (I am working on a post about them right now) and I LOVE what you did with yours! Andddd I am CRAZY in love with all things beach themed so yes, I think your beach-y color is divine! I am a happy new follower of your beautiful blog! I am so glad to find another lover of all things beach inspired!
Jaime from Crafty Scrappy Happy
Ok, so I clapped and squealed like a five-year-old girl when I found out that you’d become a follower. ^_^ I L-O-V-E your blog, so I’m so honored to have you here!! Thank you for the sweet comments, and I hope to drown you in beachy inspiration for a long time to come. ^_-
These turned out great. Beautiful. I’m so obsessed with painted bottles right now – especially beachy ones. I would be thrilled if you shared this project at my link party.
http://carolynshomework.blogspot.com/2011/06/inspiration-board-link-party_28.html
Thanks for the creative inspiration.
carolyn | homework
Thanks, Carolyn!! I’m feeling an obsession coming on with bottles and such, too. =} I think I’m going to try spray paint next and see what happens. Thank you so much for the kind invitation to your party!! I’ve already added your button permanently to my site and linked up. =] Thank you again!!
Your bottles turned out great and just make the mantle vignettes!
Thank you so much, Erin!! ^_^
I LOVED this idea. Thank you so much for sharing. I live in Jamaica and I’m always looking for beachy looking ideas! LOVE, love , love it! http://caribbeanmissionarywife.blogspot.com/
Thanks Maria!! Jamaica… wow. Do you want to adopt me? =}
These are gorgeous!!! I need to make some of these for my Mom’s beach house!
Ooooo!! Please do!! (And then send me pictures so I can look at them until my eyes cross with envy… Wish I had a actual beach house!!) lol ^_-
OH WOW!! I love that blue bottle! I love the feel of the beach and the decor you put it with! Definitely adding this to my “to try” list! Thanks!
Absolutely, Caley!! I truly mean it when I say that it’s my pleasure to share my love of all things beachy with my readers. ^_^
very pretty mantel~
Thank you!! ^_^ I should dissect it for my readers – it’s all stuff from the dollar store, old glass containers I pulled out of the back of our cupboards, and my trash to treasure beachified blue bottles. I’m glad you like it!!
They turned out great Nicole. I love the color!
Hugs…Tracy
Thanks Tracy!! ^_^ Hugs right back atcha!!
Love this beautiful beach glass look…thanks for the tutorial
Laurel
Thanks, Laurel!! And it’s my pleasure to share it with you. I’d love it if you became a follower, because I have lots more beachy tutorials in the works that I’d love to share with you!!
These are so great and thanks for sharing the tutorial. I will have to try this!!!
I am following you now.
ladeedacreations.com
Thank you so much, Dee!! It’s such a pleasure to have you here!! ^_^
I had NO idea you could do this! I am going to have to try it. How fun, cheap and easy…all of my favorite things. Lisa~
Hey, whaddya know!! Those are all my favorite things, too Lisa!! ^_- Thanks for joining me.
Good job on the bottles. I was trying a project like that, but the paint was on the inside. I’m a new follower from Thrifty Thursdays.
http://www.meldreamsoften.com/2011/06/past-few-days.html
Thanks for following me, Melissa!! At first I considered swirling the paint on the inside of my bottles, as well. But I really wanted to be able to use them as “vases”, and I wasn’t sure if the paint would eventually come off, even after being baked. I’m glad you liked the tutorials!! ^_^
Love your beachified bottles. And your mantle. What a great post. Thank you for sharing this. I will have it give it a try as I love bottles!!
Thank you so much for visiting!! Hmmmm… The name of your blog has me intrigued. I must come over and investigate. =}
Hi, friend! I’m admiring all your creative posts here. Can you please share them at the Creative Bloggers’ Party & Hop? Hope to see you there at the party
PS: I have a blog party called Market Your Biz and Giveaways every Tuesday at 5 pm, PST. Please feel free to link up your etsy and giveaways
Thanks SJ!! I just added your button to my blog, and I am your newest follower. It’s great to meetcha, and thanks for inviting me to your link party. ^_^
I just wanted to share with you my finished project, thanks to your wonderful tutorial!
http://amandawickcunningham.blogspot.com/2011/08/beach-bottles-from-shabby-beach-nest.html
OMGosh, those bottles are A. MAZ. ING Amanda!! You did such an amazing job!! I L-O-V-E all the different hues of beachy beautiful you chose; I can just imagine how they glow when the sun shines through the window. I’m especially crushing on the underwater effect that’s created when you close the shower door. Thank you SO, SO much for sharing this with me!! I’m absolutely humbled and honored that you were inspired by my tutorial. ^_^ You rock Amanda, and I can’t wait to see what else you come up with!!
Hi Nicole!
I’m a late-comer to the party! But I just happened upon your blog and I LOVE what I see. I have a question for you on this post (which, I know, is an old post). What color paint did you use? I am not good at picking out paint colors and would LOVE to find that beautiful shade! Thanks, Nicole!
Amazing
i am hinestly glad i stumbled across this. I was sure to save it as a favorite and be sure to return to this sight and see some more awsome ideas. I always collect colored botttles,milk glass old books just never make the time to play. Thanks again.
Honestly. oops and i must add, I loved How u left the thin paint, melted wax paper and pics of different angles. you made it so easy thanks again..
I’m a new follower and I love your blog! This post is fantastic and I’m in love with your mantle!! Where did you get the silver seahorse and starfish? I really love those pieces to accent all of it!