Beach Bottles

Remember a few days ago, when I mentioned that I'd be using string for some projects?

(if you don't, you can read about it here)

Well, this is what I've been doing with it...

These Beach Bottles, made from jars that were headed to the recycling bin, are simple and inexpensive to make.

Supplies

• empty jars - free.
• jute string - $1.97 for a roll that I barely made a dent in.
• string from my kitchen drawer - free.
• left over cardstock from other projects - free.
• buttons made from shells - $1.65 for a package of 32 bought at 50% off sale.

Tools

• glue gun & glue sticks
• scissors
• hole punch
• marker or stamps with ink pad

Here's the how to...

I've broken the process into 2 parts.

PART ONE - The Base


1. Wash and remove the labels from your jars and bottles.
I soaked mine in hot soapy water to help get the sticky glue off.
Some of them required a bit of elbow grease too.


2. Starting at the top of your jar, squirt on a dot of glue...

...and place the end of your jute string.

3.  Continue gluing and wrapping the string along the top and then around the jar, keeping the rows tight together.

You can stop where ever you like.  I kept going in order to cover the best before date that was stamped onto the jar.

4.  About a third of the way down, I started to leave a bigger gap...

...all the way down to the bottom, where I cut the jute, then covered the end with glue and tucked it in as much as possible.

5.  Now, let's turn our attention back up to the top...

...and glue on another piece of jute so that it looks more finished.

PART TWO - Embellishment

This is the fun part!

You can embellish your bottle however you like.  The options are endless!

Here's how to do it like me...

1.  Think of some of your favourite words.

1.  Once you've chosen which ones you'd like to use, make the tags.
Cut rectangles out of cardstock, clip the corners off, then punch a hole.
I stamped my words onto the tags, but a marker works too.

2.  Time to tie the tag.  Cut a piece of string.  Longer is better.
Fold string in half and thread through the hole in the tag.

Put the tails (ends) through the loop...

...and tighten.

3.  Tie onto your bottle, making sure that the knot is close to the tag.  Make another knot so that it is nice and secure.

4.  Thread the shell buttons onto the tails.

5.  Tie a knot on the ends.

6.  Admire your creation!

They're so fun and easy that I've made a few...

I'm not sure what I'll put in them (if anything).  Maybe some shells, sand, or pebbles
.

A pair of them are currently on our side table (which is actually a wooden stool).

They make me smile whenever I walk by them.

Thanks for dropping in.

My Beach Bottle project has been featured at...

Sally Lee by the Sea

I've shared this project at...