Little Crafting Going On: Bottle Your Plant!

                                      Bottle Your Plant! 

                                A CUTE LITTLE CARE FREE TERRARIUM IN A BOTTLE! 

   This is one of my favorite home made/hand made gifts to give. (I know, I make jewelry, you think I'd be giving that, or a painting, but no. Those are 'personal taste' items. 

I suppose this is as well, but it adds a little 'life' to the recipients  surroundings, and they are almost completely care free.   (and no bugs) 

              Very easy to make, but a quick how to never hurts, right? 

 

You start with any bottle you like. I love apothecary bottles, and you can see those in the top photo. Wine bottles work well, as they come in all shapes, sizes even colors, and keeping the cork in the bottle keeps the water from evaporating. (you may need to change it now and then, but not often) 

You will need glue, or Mod Podge. A glue stick works as well.. I use a sponge 'brush' to apply it. (For what? We'll get there) 

I also like to add ribbon, string, hemp, lace, there are basically no limits. Let the creative juices flow!!   Often, if the Bottle Plant is going to be a gift for a special occasion, I will choose a charm, flowers, something fitting to hand around the neck of the bottle. See what's in your 'junk' drawer! 

 I reuse items as often as possible, or use magazine cutouts, great photo's or scrap booking supplies. Seed packages are great too!  Think 'recycle/reuse'.  Below is my choice for this project: 

 I have chosen an old seed package (so pretty) some silk ribbon and silk flowers. 

The seed package is going on my bottle as 'the label'. (I do not always put a 'label' on, again it depends on the 'occasion'.  However on a wine bottle, it just makes it a bit more fun!   

 a light coat of Mod Podge. (this will just give you glue bubbles under the paper and when you push it out the sides it will wrinkle and tear your 'label'.  Be gentle! 

My 'label'.  

When you put your plant in the bottle, you will obviously want water. I cover about an inch of the bottom so that the water and the roots do not show. (Small Ivy works best, and you do not need to pre-root. It will be just fine if you clip a stem and put it in. It takes care of itself! 

 I added a small leave charm for fun. 

 Here I am wrapping the silk ribbon around the neck of the bottle.  Below, I have tucked my silk flowers in and tied up the ribbon. I like this! 

Cut a stem (size is our choice) Or several from an ivy plant or a vine of your choice. (smaller leaves work the best) 

 Then you simply drop it into the bottle and add water, as I said, about an inch or less will be enough.  

Below is my vine in the bottle (a couple different varieties looks really neat!) I then put the cork back in the top. This holds in the oxygen, and the water does not evaporate as I said earlier.  Very little care needed! 

About two or three times a year you may want to take the plants out and trim them back, and trim the roots. 

How to get them out?
Simply turn to bottle upside down, the water will help push the vine out, and if you can get it, just get a tweezers and gently yank that baby out!!! 

 These are in Apothecary bottles. (Easily found at antique stores and not expensive)  Special occasion? 

 This Apothecary bottle (BEST find EVER) is just one I've done for wedding table decorations.   

All the bottles I make do not always hold plants. 

I make 'memory' bottles as well. The contents is the choice of the person I'm making it for, but I'll show you one I have done in memory of my Mom. We shared a great love of Lake Superior and Light Houses. So....................

I couldn't fit a light house in the bottle, but I put in small pieces of driftwood and some lake stones and sea glass.  I made it look 'watery' by adding Diamond Glaze. 

Just pour it right in. 

this was taken before the glaze had a chance to dry, however it dries clear and adheres what is in the bottle so that it's not going to move around if I move the bottle. 

I love how the driftwood looks. This is a great way to make a 'memory bottle' of a vacation to the beach, or anywhere!  

I finished the top off with Hemp wound around the neck (glue around the neck first) and then randomly hung a strand of pearls that were my Moms.  Great memories of a wonderful woman.

If you go back up about four photos you see the lighthouse stamps I put around this bottle. 

You might not be making wine, but your making memories and gifts. 

Enjoy a plant in a bottle!