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Wednesday, January 23, 2013

Frosting and Other Decorative Techniques for Altering Bottles– Tutorial

For those of you who love altering bottles like I do, I have some fun and easy techniques to share with you.  I’ve created four altered bottles using a different technique on each bottle.  Three are Valentine themed (shown in the picture above) and one is winter themed.  I’ll walk you through how I altered each bottle and explain the products and techniques I used.
Blue and Silver Winter Themed Frosted Bottle
The winter themed altered bottle was inspired by a cobalt blue bottle.  To me this bottle screams “winter” and is begging to be frosted.  For this project I’ll show you how to use stickers to create a mask and how to apply Frosted Glass Spray to a bottle.
Start with a clean bottle.  Next, apply snowflake stickers to the bottle in the design you desire.  Make sure the stickers are flush against the bottle to insure that the spray does not seep under the stickers.
To create the frosted effect I used Rust-oleum Specialty Frosted Glass spray.  You can find the spray in many hardware and paint stores.  I purchased my can at Home Depot.
There are some important items to note in order to obtain a good result. 
  • First, shake the can longer than it says in the cans directions; particularly when the can is full.  This stuff is really hard to mix-up.  The can says 2 minutes but shake it longer. 
  • Be sure to work in a well ventilated area.
  • Keep the bottle and spray can moving to avoid the spray concentrating in one area.  Into the bottle I insert a large paintbrush handle wrapped in a piece of paper towel so that the handle fits snugly.  This gives me a way to hold the bottle securely and allows me to turn the bottle while spraying.
  • If you are using stickers as a mask, spray the bottle lightly.  The spray will dry darker.  If you get too much frosting on the bottle you will not be able to lift the stickers without lifting the frosting.  You might want to practice on a piece of glass before tackling the bottle.
  • If you make a mistake and want to start over, soak the bottle in warm sudsy water then you can easily remove the frosting and start over.
Below is a video demonstrating how to frost the bottle.
Once the frosting is dry (I give it 30 minutes to be sure), use the point of an X-Acto knife to gently lift the stickers from the bottle and reveal the pattern.
Before and after frosting.
I applied Glossy Accents to the neck of the bottle and sprinkled it with Diamond Dust to give it an icy look. 
I used two silver beads (glued together with E-6000 glue) as the stopper.  The wire from the ends of the acrylic wheat sprays are inserted into the beads.  I hung 2 different silver snowflakes from the wheat sprays using jump rings.  The entire assembly is glued to top of the bottle using E-6000 glue.

To finish the décor, I added more of the same stickers I used for the frosting process, dabs of Silver Stickles and some clear rhinestones.

Blue and Silver Bottle Supply List

         Items Used for the Bottle Topper

Frosted Pink and Gold Bottle
With the Valentine themed bottle pictured to the left, I’ll demonstrate another option using the Frosting Spray.  Instead of masking the bottle with stickers and then frosting the bottle, I first frost the entire bottle and apply the stickers after as a decoration.  Unlike the blue winter themed bottle, with this option you can apply the spray as thick as you like.
Just as with frosting the blue bottle there are some important items to keep in mind.


  • First, shake the can longer than it says in the cans directions; particularly when the can is full.  This stuff is really hard to mix-up.  The can says 2 minutes but shake it longer. 
  • Be sure to work in a well ventilated area.
  • Keep the bottle and spray can moving to avoid the spray concentrating in one area.  Into the bottle I insert a large paintbrush handle wrapped in a piece of paper towel so that the handle fits snugly.  This gives me a way to hold the bottle securely and allows me to turn the bottle while spraying.
  • Spray one layer then allow it to dry about 30 seconds before spraying the next layer.  Continue in this fashion till you have applied as much as you desire.  Remember the bottle will dry darker than it appears when it is wet.
  • If you make a mistake and want to start over, soak the bottle in warm sudsy water then you can easily remove the frosting and start over.
Below is a video demonstrating how to frost the bottle.
In the picture below you can see the before and after versions of the bottle.
Once the frosting is dry (I give it 30 minutes to be sure), you can begin decorating the bottle.  I added gold heart stickers and used Flamingo and Avocado Liquid Pearls paint to add color to the bottle.
I used E-6000 glue to combine the arrow, cherub and lantern.  The arrow is painted with Flamingo Liquid Pearls.  I used White Gilders Paste on the cherub and the lantern is jazzed up with some pink rhinestones.  To hold the stopper in place I used more of the E-6000 glue.
Alpha Stamps also carries two other lanterns that would work great as stoppers:
I attached various beads and chain to a jump ring held by a ribbon on the side of the bottle.  

The green beads are restrung from a piece of beaded trim (pictured above).  It’s a great way to use a leftover piece of trim that is too small to use on other projects




I used Inca Gold Gilders Paste to color the cream birds that are attached to the front of the bottle.  Pink paper roses held by small hearts add the finishing touch. 
Frosted Pink and Gold Bottle Supply List

     Items Used for the Bottle Topper

     Items Used for the Dangling Beads at the Side of the Bottle


 Gold and Patina Bottle Colored with Gilders Paste
In addition to the Frosted Spray there are other products that work well with the sticker masking technique.  For the bottle pictured above, I’ll demonstrate how to use Gilders Paste to color the bottle.
Start with a clean bottle.  Next, apply stickers in the design you desire.  Make sure the stickers are flush against the bottle.

Use a piece of foam (I used Cut-N-Dry Foam, but you can use any foamy material like a makeup sponge) to apply Patina Gilders Paste to the bottle in a pouncing motion.  Do not rub the bottle as it may cause the stickers to lift or may force Gilders Paste under the stickers.  Continue until the bottle is completely covered and allow the paste to dry.  Give it a longer drying time than the product instructions indicate.
Use a different piece of foam; apply the Inca Gold Gilders Paste in a pouncing motion.  Note in the picture below I applied the paste in a random pattern so that you can still see the Patina paste.  Allow the gold paste to dry.  Give it a longer drying time than the product instructions indicate.
Use the point of an X-Acto knife to gently lift the stickers from the bottle and reveal the pattern.
Another option with sticker masking is to keep adding another layer of stickers, apply more color and remove the stickers to reveal an additional pattern
The main feature on the front of the bottle is a cameo from my new Romance Collage Sheet.  To create a bezel over the cameo, I applied Glossy Accents.  The glue naturally likes to dome.  The picture below shows the wet glue; it will dry clear and shrink some.
Tips:  It’s important to avoid inserting air bubbles into the dome.  Store your Glossy Accents bottle upside down so that any air bubbles float to the bottom and won’t be dispensed with the glue.  As you are dispensing the glue, don’t lift the tip of the bottle out of the dispensed glue; keep it down squeezing out more glue and using the tip to spread glue into the areas you desire.  And lastly, never shake the glue bottle as it will introduce air bubbles into the glue.
Around the neck of the bottle is Gold Fleck Trim to which I hung gold hearts using jump rings.
To add the topper I colored a cork (left over from another bottle) with Gold Mixative Alcohol Ink.  I also used the Gold Ink and Clover Alcohol Ink to color the stickpins
The hole in the large teal bead was big enough to insert all three stickpins.  The bottoms of the stickpins are inserted into the cork which holds everything in place.  Alpha Stamps carries the puffed bead in other colors and shapes (teal, brown and a red heart).
I decorated the bottle with gold stickers and rhinestones.  Just as with the stickpins, I used the Clover Alcohol Ink to paint clear rhinestones the perfect color.  The last touch was to add butterflies from my Romance Collage Sheet
I decorated the bottle with gold stickers and rhinestones.  Just as with the stickpins, I used the Clover Alcohol Ink to paint clear rhinestones the perfect color.
The last touch was to add butterflies from my Romance Collage Sheet.
Gold and Patina Bottle Supply List
         Items Used for the Bottle Topper
Red and Gold Bottle Colored and Stenciled with Alcohol Inks
Using Alcohol Inks is another option to use with the sticker masking technique.  For this bottle I’ll demonstrate how to use both the transparent and opaque versions of alcohol ink and stickers to create a design.
Start with a clean bottle.  Using a sponge, apply Red Pepper Alcohol Ink to the bottle; covering it completely.  Allow it to dry.  Notice how the ink is transparent.
Apply stickers in the design you desire.  Make sure the stickers are flush against the bottle so that the next layer of ink won’t seep under the stickers.
Use a piece of foam to apply Gold Mixative Alcohol Ink to the bottle in a pouncing motion.  Do not rub the bottle as it may cause the stickers to lift or may force ink under the stickers.  Continue until the bottle is completely covered and allow the ink to dry.  Notice how this ink (Mixative) is opaque unlike the Red Pepper ink.  The silver and copper versions of this ink are also opaque.
Using the point of an X-Acto knife, gently lift the stickers from the bottle to reveal the pattern.

The base of the bottle is made from a wooden candlestick holder.  I colored it using Inca Gold Gilders Paste (with a sponge and a Q-tip to get into the grooves).  Lastly I added red border stickers.
Making your own beaded trim; the trim at the base of the bottle is made from gluing together two strips of trim (red and gold) and adding cherubs, hearts and cream beads with jump rings.  The gold trim is the same trim I used around the neck of the Patina and Gold bottle
The topper started with a wooden finial which I painted with Red Pepper Alcohol Ink. To attach the other pieces I drilled a hole in the top of the finial.  I used a heart shaped stickpin to attach the red heart and gold bead to the finial.  Everything is glued in place with E-6000 glue.
To dress up the rest of the bottle I used more of the red border stickers, images from my Romance Collage Sheet and red and ivory paper rose buds.

32 comments:

Createology said...

Be still my heart! Laura thank you so much for generously sharing your wonderful tutorials for how to alter bottles and make amazing gifts. Creative Bliss Dear...

Lynn Stevens said...

Beautiful Altered bottles Laura!
and so much easier and cleaner than trying to sand blast them. LOL
hugs Lynn

Karen B. said...

Wow ~ your bottles are amazing and your tutorials fantastic!

hugs
Karen B. ~ Todolwen

PeggyR said...

Those are gorgeous and the tutorial is great!

Karen B. said...

Me again ~ I just tried to e-mail you with an question but it didn't work so I will ask you here and I hope you don't mind. I tried working with this spray this past winter and I am not sure why but the spray, when dry, didn't stick to well to the glass. How did you treat your glass before you sprayed it? Any advice would be great!
hugs
Karen B. ~ Todowlen

ginger@bearbits said...

Hi Laura,

You have created some lovely bottles! Thanks so much for generously sharing your tutorials. I always learn something useful here!

Thanks!
~ginger

Paper Compulsions said...

Oh how beautiful. Looks like so much fun too. I have used etching cream in the past but this looks much easier. Love your "turning tool". Lots of great tips too.

chrissie said...

The frosting makes such a lot of difference to the bottles. Your decorations are always amazing and add so much more to the beauty of the piece.

Love Chrissie xx

johala said...

I am completely admiring your work! Simple bottles become treasures with you!
Thanks for sharing!
Hugs and kisses

Joanne said...

My mind is buzzing. I'm off to the haberdashery shop right now - seriously.
xx

Wilma said...

Hello Laura,

Your art is so beautiful, I absolutely love it !!
Thank you so much for sharing and your great tutorials.
They are very inspiring and helpful.

Blessings,
Wilma.
Shabby Royale.

maria l. said...

So beautiful work
Thanks

Di Denson said...

Oh Laura I can't wait to give these a try. Thanks for sharing all of your techniques. DiAnn

Mixed Media/ Altered Crafts said...

Your altered bottles are simply stunning!Really beautiful work.
Tee

Scrapthat said...

WOW! You did an AwEsOmE! job on your bottles!!The are gorgeous!

Martina said...

Dear Laura, these altered bottles are just brilliant, fantastic, totally awesome, wow, what more can I say. Love them all!!!!
Hugs MARTINA

Diane at Craftin Your HeART Out! said...

Hi Laura,

OMG you have done it again!!! I was waiting to see what you were up to with Altered Bottles and now I know. These are out of this world!! Your Artwork is amazing and jaw dropping. Thank you so much again for the inspiration and Tutorials.

Warm regards,
Diane

BR said...

Words cannot describe this beautiful work. Thank you SO much for sharing. You are such an inspiration..

Bärbel said...

Wow, erstaunliche und atemberaubend schöne Ergebnisse, die gestalteten Flaschen sind wunderschön!

AppleApricot Wen said...

Stunning! So gorgeous... Thank you so much for the tutorial too!

hugs, Wendy

DVArtist said...

This is a fantastic tutorial and I thank you so much for sharing it. You are the best.
Nicole/Beadwright

smokeysmom said...

Gorgeous bottles, Laura!! You are so talented! I love all of them.

Unknown said...

Laura thank you, thank you, thank you, for posting this tutorial. I've long envied your work and have been dying to try it. Now I know how! Hugs...

Victoria said...

Laura,
these are so cool! Thank-you so much for the how to. I'm going to try them!

This N That said...

Once again I am awed by your work..

Unknown said...

Thank you so much for this tutorial!
I love altered bottles and I have not taken the time to figure out how to get the bottles to look so pretty!

I am so grateful for instructions and a supply list...lol

Caroline said...

OH MY GOSH!! I remember pinning the blue one (yesterday, I think). Received my email of blog news today in UK & here I find myself. I am in awe, blown away!! You say easy? I beg to add "if you are talented"... No way could I achieve this level of amazingness! You truly are gifted. A rarity with which you are blessed! Phew!! Caroline :)

Anonymous said...

Laura,
These are simply divine! I have posted a link to your blog on mine! With your permission I would love to include a photo with the link. You can drop me a note at mistiroses.blogspot.com if this would be ok! Thank you. :)

Lori said...

I never thought to alter bottles and yours are just gorgeous. My favorite is the patina. Thank you for the tutorial.

SiBo said...

I came across altered art by coincidence and I must say: your bottles are amazing! The Valentine bottle is my favourite! Thank you so much for your tutorials and explanations. Many greetings from the old continent, Sibylle from Luxembourg

Janice and poppy said...

This is the first time I've seen this they r amazing. U r very talented Thanks for sharing.

Kaz said...

Totally stunning. Thanku so much for the tutorial. So generous. Kaz 😊