This tutorial shows you how to make drinking glasses and fancy barware from recycled wine bottles. The process is easier than you think and you can create unique gifts while repurposing beautiful wine bottles.
A few years ago, I bought my nephew and his lovely girlfriend, some glasses made from wine bottles, at an Etsy store. I've been dying to make some ever since.
So after a little trial and error, I did it.
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I had been gathering bottles for a couple of months. One thing I wish I had done right away was to remove the labels. This was truly the hardest and most frustrating part of the project.
I'll save you some trouble. Use turpentine, it was the only thing that worked well for me.
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Making the Wine Bottle Glassware
- First, you need to buy a glass cutter. I purchased this Bottle Cutter
from Amazon for around $16.
- Start by scoring the bottle at the height you want.
- This varies from bottle to bottle. To change it simply loosen the wing nuts and slide the bar up and down to your desired height.
- I'm right-handed, so I kept pressure with my right hand and used my left hand to turn the bottle.
Breaking the Bottle
Next is the cool part. I tried using the two bucket method, described in the bottle cutter directions, but that did not work for me.
Instead, I used the following method I found in this video.
Caution: You should wear protective eyewear just in case.
Place towels in the sink or a plastic bucket with some water as shown here. Then pour boiling water on the score mark, while turning the bottle over the sink.
Then run cold water on the score mark while turning the bottle again.
Sometimes it will break right away. Others required a few repeated steps of boiling and cold water.
You may hear a crackle and then, boom, the bottom falls into the bucket.
A couple of them did not break evenly and cracked through the glass. I can only guess that I did not do a good job of scoring.
Finishing the Wine Bottle Glasses
The bottle cutter came with some sanding paper so you can sand the edges.
I ended up with 5 glasses made from 7 wine bottles.
I'm even thinking of turning the bad ones into candles like my friend Tanya of Lovely Greens did. Don't they look beautiful with the wooden wicks?
These wine bottle glasses make great handmade gifts as pretty barware and I've even used them to hold pens, scissors, and other office supplies in my office.
This just might be one of my favorite projects. I would definitely try this one again.
P.S. You may also enjoy this easy Glass Etching Tutorial for personalized barware, or this popular Mason Jar Holiday Oil Candle. You can find them and many more handmade gifts on my DIY Projects Page.
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DIY Glassware from Wine Bottles
Equipment
- Bottle Cutter
Materials
- Empty clean wine bottles
Instructions
- Start by scoring the bottle at the height you want. Take your time with this step.
- Place some towels in the sink or a plastic bucket with some water inside.
- Pour boiling water on the score mark, while turning the bottle over the sink.
- Then run cold water on the score mark while turning the bottle again.
- Sometimes it will break right away. Others required a few repeated steps of boiling and cold water.
- You may hear a crackle and then, boom, the bottom falls into the bucket.
- Sand the edges with the paper that comes with the bottle cutter.
Anny.
Thank so much for this! It’s a great idea.
My questions is, do wine bottles resistant the heat from the candles? Will the bottle break?
Thank.
A.
Patti Estep
Anny, I haven't had a problem so far. I guess it's possible depending on the bottle but the wax doesn't get that hot.
Diane
I am having a hard time making the rim of the glasses shinny. I have a lap grinder and it is working well for the Smoothness of the rim, but it is still cloudy. I have tried sanding, but still haven’t achieved the shine on the rim I am looking for. I would appreciate any advise.
Patti Estep
Diane, I'm sorry I don't have any direct advice. However, I was wondering if you could add something like a polyacrylic to finish the edge. However, I don't know if it is food safe or if there is a food safe alternative. Just a thought.
Sean
You have to sand from 80-2500/5000 grit
Briana Browne
Hi Patti. I like your idea. I have a lot of empty wine bottles at home and I have no idea really how to recycle them. I think this is an interesting project and I'd like to try it this January. I hope to learn more exciting DIY crafts from your blog.
Patti
Hi Briana,
I'm so glad you like this project. I was surprisingly easy once I got the hang of it. Now I'll be sneaking empty bottles from my friends and families at the end of the night. 🙂
Thanks for stopping by and have a Happy New Year!
Patti
Jeanette
How did you get the edges smooth enough so as not to cut you when you drink out of them?
Patti
The bottle cutter came with some paper called emory cloth which you can buy at most home improvement or hardware stores. It worked well but I did notice a few extra scratches on the glass so maybe just be careful.
tagloff
If you can find a ceramic nail file, it works perfectly for rounding down sharp glass edges.
Patti Estep
Good idea. Thanks!