Something Old, Something New
My dear friend Kathleen Francour recently dreamed up a project that kept six talented crafters smiling all day!
First, she opened up her amazing treasure trove to us, and generously shared her vast collection of antique bottles in every shape and size, sparkling old jewelry, millinery flowers, trims, buttons, rubber stamps, porcelain figurine fragments, vintage ribbons, pieces of lace, cameos, tulle, feathers, metallic cording, decorative papers and glittered chipboard letters - all representing a lifetime collection of embellishments!
We squealed with delight and anticipation, as we envisioned what we might create out of this assortment of wonderments.
Using Mod Podge, a glue gun and white glue, we began to apply layers of papers and trims to our bottles. We continued to apply buttons, charms and other dimensional objects (even porcelain poodles!) until our bottles seemed to be complete. We marveled at how quickly they all came together… the bottles you see here were created in just one very magical day.
When our bottles were finished, we filled some with “fairy dust”, (a combination of clear glitters and sand), beads, interesting old buttons or paper flowers. Some of us tucked little messages inside, curling up a little piece of paper and tying thin silver cording ‘round it.
If you’d like to make a similar project, the best sources for bottles are antique malls, tag sales, auctions and flea markets. Look for vintage perfume bottles or pharmacy bottles. The most important thing is to find one with an interesting shape, or an interesting stopper. The bottles shown here were purchased for an average of $3 each.
I really like this project, because it is appealing to crafters possessing any level of experience, and even children can participate! I love the idea of combining old materials with new, to create something entirely unique.
The talented crafters gathered together for this fabulous project were my friends Sheila Herrin, Anne Higgins, Tina Higgins, Dena Fishbein, and Kathleen Francour. Thanks, Kathleen, for another inspiring day, and for sharing your exquisite photos!
Editor's note: To read other posts in this craft project series, click Craftstravaganza, Charmed I'm Sure!, Love in Every Stitch and Blooming Buckets.
Holy smokes!! These bottles are adorable and that must have been so much fun playing with all those yummy goodies!!! What a darling and clever idea! Love it!
Posted by: Anita Hiltz | Tuesday, February 05, 2008 at 05:26 PM
Wow, beautiful bottles. Adding this to the to do list.
Nerissa
Posted by: Nerissa | Friday, June 15, 2007 at 09:21 PM
These are just the prettiest bottles ever, and how much fun to dig through all of the treasures. That had to be so exciting!
Posted by: Renee | Thursday, June 14, 2007 at 09:20 AM
I love them! What a wonderful idea, and such amazing goodies to glue and play with! Truly magical!
Posted by: Ulla | Tuesday, June 12, 2007 at 09:38 AM
C'est magnifique ce que vous faites !! j'adore !!!!!
Posted by: Anne | Friday, June 08, 2007 at 12:25 PM
Des flacons qui reprennent du service ! une pure merveille !
Posted by: kristin | Wednesday, June 06, 2007 at 04:40 AM
Oh these bottles are the greatest! Makes you feel all giddy just to look at them. Are any of these for sale?
Posted by: Lisa | Tuesday, June 05, 2007 at 05:30 PM
Hi Brenda,
I love your art! You are an inspiration to me in the licensing world. Thanks for sharing and I hope to someday meet you.
Christine
Posted by: christine adolph | Monday, June 04, 2007 at 07:32 PM
wow, each and everyone is beautiful and so is your blog, thanks for the inspiration and I will be back to visit again!
Posted by: the butterfly collector | Monday, June 04, 2007 at 12:37 AM
these bottles are wonderful!! I want them all ;)
I found your blog through Gypsy Purple~
Posted by: izabella | Sunday, June 03, 2007 at 04:09 PM
I've died & gone to heaven. I want them ALL!
Posted by: Sandy | Saturday, June 02, 2007 at 04:54 PM
I love the bottle with the pink poodle and the K, my favorite of all...is it for sale by any chance?
Posted by: Maggie | Saturday, June 02, 2007 at 06:47 AM
these bottles as truly gorgeous - they look like they were so much fun to make
http://i-think-im-an-artist.blogspot.com/
Posted by: vicki grobels | Friday, June 01, 2007 at 06:26 PM
Just came over from Gypsy Purple these bottles are amazing, love them.
Posted by: carolyn | Friday, June 01, 2007 at 10:13 AM
I love every last one of them. They are simple but complex. What a treasure of art. Kara
Posted by: Kara WArd | Friday, June 01, 2007 at 04:04 AM
I LOVE these! What fun ideas! I have the bottles and the doo-dads. Just need to find some free time!
Thanks so much for the inspiration!
Posted by: Heather | Thursday, May 31, 2007 at 11:51 AM
These are all so beautiful and SO inspiring. I've got all of the embellishments so now I'm on the hunt for some old bottles - can't wait to make one of my own!
Posted by: dawn | Wednesday, May 30, 2007 at 09:37 AM
Well, I pretty much needed a bib while viewing this post. I was DROOLING ! LOL
Eye Candy!
Posted by: Stephanie Coop | Wednesday, May 30, 2007 at 05:44 AM
This is absolutely stunning....
I`m always amazed at the beautiful things you make!!!
Posted by: Gypsy Purple-Chamara | Tuesday, May 29, 2007 at 08:18 PM
Simply divine and sweet!
Posted by: Annette Dupont | Tuesday, May 29, 2007 at 05:32 PM
Seriously! The cutest things I ever saw! xoC
Posted by: charlotte lyons | Tuesday, May 29, 2007 at 01:59 PM
These are all so beautiful and fun! I'll be going to our local flea market this weekend and looking for some bottles!
Karla
Posted by: Karla Natale | Tuesday, May 29, 2007 at 12:45 PM
Wow, these are even more amazing then the buckets. I can not even begin to pick a favorite. Love it. Thank you for sharing with us. Clarice
Posted by: clarice | Tuesday, May 29, 2007 at 11:54 AM