Expert: MaryAnn F. Kohl - 4/11/2007

Question
Hello! I'm hosting a late night opening at a gallery and we have been donated a load of plastic juice bottles. I want to do a craft project for adults. The evening is themed around our exhibitions which are 80s interiors, cars and jets and italian (as both these designers are italian). We've not got any ideas beyond little racecars, but even they're a bit childish. Any other ideas - we've only got until tomorrow afternoon (12th!!) Thanks so much!!
Helen

Answer
I'm more of an art person than craft, but here's a quick and easy idea...well, two of them...that might help. OH NO. I just read that you needed the idea by the 12th. I was out of town then...just got back. Well...here's the ideas anyway.

Idea 1: Leather Bottles
Tear masking tape into little squares or triangles (any shapes) and cover the bottles, overlapping the tape as you go. Then rub with any color shoe polish. Brown will make the bottles look like leather.


Idea 2: Antique Metal Bottles
Cover the bottles with aluminum foil. Paint with black tempera paint. Then dry. Next, rub away the paint, leaving black paint in the cracks and folds. Looks like antique metal. Before covering with aluminum, as a more advanced idea, glue on some small cardboard shapes, or wind heavy yarn in shapes to make designs. Then cover with foil. The shapes underneath will rise up and accept the paint in their edges to make the designs antiqued and visible.

Sorry I was late responding. I was on the Big Island with my daughter enjoying the hula competition called "The Merrie Monarch Festival". Just got back.

But I'm curious. What DID you do with the bottles? If you can let me know, that would be great. My email is: maryann@brightring.com
Write to me directly...it's easier!

MaryAnn
Kohl
www.brightring.com
maryann@brightring.com