Next, in order to coat the bottles so they won't peel
too easily, I spray them with several coats of polyurethae
spray.

Next, measure out about 1/4 cup of mod podge.
Next, add 2 or 3 drops of white acrylic paint and stir.
Next, take a throw away glass jar to test with
and sponge a small area. Let it dry and then decide if it
needs more drops of white paint to get the look you want.

You want a sheer look but enough white so the sring of the lights is cammoflauged

Next, Using a soft, 2" paint brush....I quickly apply a thin coat over the entire bottle and then quickly use the brush tips to pounce over the entire bottle.

Practice on an old pickle jar or something first.
I do it fast so it won't dry before I am finished.

Let them dry 24 hours and then I seal with a glossy
waterbase varnish, like ceramcoat varnish.
Let that dry 24 hours.

Next I wrap raffia around the neck of the bottle
Next tie on a few grape leaves....cut from garland.
Next I run raffia thro the loop at the top of grape
stem and tie grapes onto neck of bottle.
Next I take several strands of raffia and wrap over
stems at neck of bottle once or twice and then make a bow.

Next, take 20 clear light string and push one blb at a time into back of bottle

Toasting to soso ~~~~ :P

We get them at a winery,,,,used after wine tastings.

Below is pic of my Antique Bottle w-Lights. I pulled back the ivy vine and grapes so you would see there is a bubble inside the bottle which I put a small birdnest's with two birdies inside of it. You can see the hole for the bubble by the grapes and the spout of the bottle on the other side. I grabbed two more of these bottle at a yard sale this past summer, hoping to do the same or something different with them (any ideas).

Sal

I use the polyurethane spray.

If you have time to let the bottles cure for months
the coating becomes more durable.
I have to be careful when packing in boxes to keep
the prongs from the electic cord from scratching the coating off.

I love your bottle., that was a great way to use it.
I can't think of anything that would be better than that.

I make several hundred of these bottles a year, so profit is a big consideration.. I use very few spray products for
a lot of reasons. Cost, breathing fumes, having no place to spray during freezing weather---- just not a big fan of sprays

thanks,
ginger

Arlene

http://www.grandbrass.com/catalog.cfm?category=Bushings&subcategory=Sn ap In Bushings

judy

Also, to get the label off, I boil hot water in a teakettle and pour into the bottle. A few minutes later the label usually peels off pretty easily.

I had trouble getting the lights in. I should have used a larger drill bit like the one suggested here. The first directions I came across suggested 1/2 inch. That's a tad small.

I found a string of 20 LED lights at Big Lots just before Christmas. I thought the number was about right, and it had a plug on only one end. (many have plugs on both in case you want to assemble a long string of lights.)

I saved the label as it was kind of a joke between DH and I, and he passed away after I purchased the wine, but before I made the light. The label is a re-print of an old bicycle poster with a naked woman holding a bicycle, flying through the sky.