Monday, December 12, 2011

Making Ice Block Presents and Bottle Art.


Welcome to my studio blog friends.
Today I have a little project for you making ice block presents for decorations under the tree or outside on the porch, windows etc. Easy to make and looks so festive. The skies the limit to how you can decorate these as well as colors used glitter etc.

For mine I used glass medium for a frosted look on clear glass and merely brushed it on the glass and let dry.


Glass medium gives glass, ceramic or other slick surfaces some tooth for paint to stick and found again at craft or art shops. I was not going to paint these, but the frosted look hides the light stings inside as well. It also helps the glitter to stick better.

The blocks I used are found at most art shoppes and the holes are already drilled and ready for adding the light strings inside. I used white light stings so they don't show and blend with the outer surface. A variety of sizes make it more interesting too and also available.


If you use glass blocks without the holes, using a drill bit designed to use on glass etc. works well. Just be sure to drill carefully and slowly so as not to break the glass. Moving the drill too quick can cause the glass to break.


After the medium is dry, add the light strings, glitter, ribbons etc. Plug in and that's it. The light strings can join together if you have more then one like I show here. I do not recommend more then 3 strings joined together for safety. Also, the light stings with 20 to 50 lights work best. Any more and the glass may get too hot. They will be warm anyway, but not an issue and will not break the glass.



Another festive idea is one I am sure you have seen at art fairs and markets. This one is wine bottle art, or if you don't have wine bottles, any other style of bottle will work large enough to accommodate a string of lights.

This looks so festive on a kitchen counter, snack bar or sideboard. Again to am empty, rinsed and dry bottle, drill a hole using a ceramic/glass drill bit in the bottom of the bottle backside. Some bottles has double glass in the bottom so be careful not to break the glass.



Again using light strings around 20-50 works best. For electric lights, leave the stopper or cork off to let any heat escape. You can let it decoratively hang off the top with wire if you like. For mine I used a battery box set of lights from the company Bethlehem Lights to design and display without a plug or electical outlet. The battery box, stands narrow and right behind the bottle so you don't see it when displayed.

To the bottle neck I added grapes and a black with Greek Key ribbon to finish.



Lots of ideas can be created with this art form. For the shabby rose designs I will be offering this after the holidays with white lights and frosted bottles of different styles with roses. Pretty to use year round in cozy home decor and night time ambiance.

Thank you for stopping by and I hope you are nearly ready for Christmas.
See you again soon.

18 comments:

Sissie's Shabby Cottage said...

Ooh what pretty ideas to bring sparkle and light to the Christmas Holiday. I love those glass blocks.

hugs
Sissie

Gone said...

Ohhhhhhhhhh, those are beautiful! I love the lighted glass blocks, wrapped as presents! I'm all set for Christmas - and will be taking some time off after this weekend, to spend with family and friends!! Wishing you and yours a Merry & Blessed Christmas. ♥

Anonymous said...

What great ideas ! ! I will try them out.....
Happy Holidays !
Marilyn

Unknown said...

Awesome! You are amazing with your creative talents you come up with!! Alas, I am a copy cat if I am possible ... wish I could make bows like you do.

Well, back to my painting in the basement ... I love to paint & am finishing up things down there. YAY! Oops! sorry Harold, I 'accidentally' got paint on that ugly brown book shelf ... guess it is going to have to be painted now. Chuckle.

Merry Christmas
TTFN ~
Hugs & love,
Marydon

Anonymous said...

Oh C, I love this bottle idea. You find those clear bottle which are quite large at shops about town. I'm thinking I need to purchase one for all year use for this idea. Forget night lights, this is by and far a much cooler way to ad ambiance!! Lovely ideas. Thank you for sharing. Tammy

Mari said...

Hi Celeste~What a wonderful idea, I will be on the look out for these, I want to try my hand at them :)
Thanks for sharing!

xo~Mari

Betty said...

They are beautiful. I just adore the block ones. Clever ideas.

Createology said...

These sparkly twinkly lights really give a lift to the glass bottles and blocks. Wrapping them with beautiful bows is a bonus. Jingle Bell Joys...

~CC Catherine said...

Hi Celeste! Thanks so much for helping to bring awareness to my Christmas Auction for precious little Amelia! I SO appreciate the support! Your bid is also appreciated on the one Tea Cozey! :) I adore these lovely lighted pieces of art using the bottle and the glass block. They are so festive and I've seen them before, but never knew how to make them. I might just try my hand at this! Wouldn't the wine bottles make lovely centerpieces on an evening celebration? Love them! And as always, love your blog! Thanks again...I wish you baskets of blessings this Christmas! ;) Hugs! ~CC Catherine

Ceekay-THINKIN of HOME said...

I didn't use my block this year...but they are so pretty....mine was a gift, so I can't take credit for it!!

Unknown said...

Milford!!! Why thats right up Kemper to Branchhill-Guinea to 28!!
I don't know ho long it's been since you lived here, but it has shot up. You aren't in Country til your way out passed the Nature Center or almost outside of Blanchester. Your blocks remind me of a lady from Mt Orab I met last year at the Loveland HS Craft Show....she does the lighted blocks with figurines and things in themes...birthday, UC, Nascar, etc...she sold over 100 blocks before 3p and still had 2 hrs to go. Well, we met up again at the Sycamore HS in the Sycamore Township/Montgomery area. It's an upscale area if you can recall. Anyhoo, there was another lady set up behind the Lady with glass blocks selling the wine bottles lit up with bows and grapes....well.....Wine Bottle Lady sold out before 4....Glass Block Lady sold 10. 2 schools not 15 miles apart...totally different buyers. Another Lady from hamersville created gorgeous hand-painted glass serving peices she did the same shows too and found pitchers and glass set sold in Loveland, but Wine decanters with goblets sold better at Sycamore.
We all just marveled at how different areas could be and not far apart at all.

Anonymous said...

Dear Celestina Marie,
What lovely ideas for putting light into the dark days around Christmas. I've never seen this before. Really unique and beautiful! Love those ice cubes with the bows; gorgeous!!
Blessings,
Ingeborg

Nezzy (Cow Patty Surprise) said...

I was just admirin' the ice wrapped presents at the Mexican Restaurant we ate at Sunday.

Thanks for sharin' the 'how tos' with us.

God bless ya and have a beautiful day sweetie!

Pop over if ya get a chance and enter my giveaway. I'll leave the light on and put out a platter of fudge!!! Heeehehehe!!! :o)

Tina said...

it look fantastic! have a nice day,xx tina

Julie Marie said...

Hi Celeste... we finally have our computer back!... It was so nice talking with you this morning... I just love your ice lights decorations... they look so sparkly and festive!... I can just picture your home this time of year... it must look like a beautiful fairyland inside and out... love to you, xoxo Julie Marie

Stephanie ~ Angelic Accents said...

Love your quick tutorial on how to do the glass blocks and wine bottle! Very festive. Got your sweet Christmas card yesterday! Maybe it will get me in the mood to finish mine up!!!! LOL

Cindy Adkins said...

Oh wow, these are gorgeous--and what fabulous tutorials!!!
XO
Cindy

Anonymous said...

I second Cindy's WOW. These are truly amazing and dreamy. I love it.

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Celestina Marie
Celestina Marie

Welcome To Rose Garden Market from Celestina Marie Design. It is so nice to meet you. My name is Celestina Marie named after my grandmother and my friends call me Celeste.My creative journey extends over 30 years enjoying the love of painting and redesigning vintage and new treasures. I love to go treasure hunting and the fun of finding great vintage pieces to redesign..