After 10 years of producing and bottling wines for Wisconsin, we’ve racked up quite the empty wine bottle and cork collection. With the wine all drank and the corks all popped, what’s left to do? PROJECTS!! Here are some of our favorite DIY projects for wine bottles and corks.
Wine Bottle Lamp Shade
Supplies:
Old Wine Bottle
Diamond Tipped Drill or Engraving Tool
Wiring and Low Voltage Light Bulb
Lampshade with Structure Pieces
Place old wine bottle on soft surface. Use diamond tipped drill or simple engraving tool to slowly drill small hole. If using engraving tool, be sure to cool glass every minute.
If you want to remove label soak in hot water for about 10 minutes.
Insert wiring through hole and assemble bulb at the top of the bottle (be sure to ask the store for proper assembly instructions).
Place the assembled lampshade over the light and vuala!
Glass Flower Vases
Supplies:
Old Wine Bottles
White Spray Paint (make sure it’s glass usable)
Super Glue
Polymer Clay Flowers (available at almost all hobby shops)
Remove label from wine bottling by soaking in hot water for about 10 minutes.
Spray wine bottle and flowers with solid colors (yellow and white are favorites)
Once dry, arrange flowers on bottles with super glue.
Add one or many to each wine bottle.
Cork Candles
Supplies:
Corks
Mason Jar with lid
Acetone Alcohol
Small glasses
Soak cork in a capped mason jar filled with acetone alcohol for one week.
Remove and allow to dry for half hour.
Place cork in any style/color small glass
Light and enjoy!
Wine Cork Bath Mat
Supplies:
At least 100 corks (varies depending on size)
Hot Glue
Non-Adhesive Shelf Liner
Pocket Knife (sharp)
Cutting Board
Scissors
Ruler or Yardstick
Hot Glue Gun
Sand Paper
Cut each cork half lengthwise with sharp pockets knife. If edges are jagged, use sandpaper to smooth out.
Arrange corks into a rectangular shape with the flat sides down. Use the yardstick along the edges so the configuration is as straight as possible.
Measure and cut the shelf liner to size with pencil, yardstick and scissors.
Transfer the outer rows/columns of corks to the bath mat with a dab of hot glue (make sure edges line up evenly).
When frame is in place, transfer remaining corks to their positions without glue. Once you adjust so the frame is evenly filled, place glue on each piece and press back down. Done!