Bottoms Up!

Description

<strong>PROJECT TITLE:</strong> Bottoms Up! This project was based on a stained glass technique called Dalle De Verre. A technique invented in the mid- 20th century of setting large, thick pieces of cast glass into a frame of reinforced concrete or epoxy resin. Our rendition of this technique uses recycled glass bottles instead of cast glass. It is a modern version of an old world technique producing an illusion of thick glass beaming with color.<br /> <strong>DESIGNED BY: </strong>Jeanne Baruth&nbsp;<br /> <strong>SKILL LEVEL:</strong> 3 (Adult 1-5: 1 being the easiest, 5 being most difficult)&nbsp;<br /> <strong>TIME TO COMPLETE: </strong>4 to 5 hours without dry time&nbsp;<br /> <strong>PROJECT TIP:</strong><br /> &middot; Always, wear safety goggles when using glass-crafting tools. Everyday eyeglasses have only impact resistant lenses.<br /> &middot; To ensure top performance keep your bottle cutter blade oiled.<br /> &middot; Cover any extra grout with a wet paper towel. Use grout to fill any cracks that might appear in the grout after drying.&nbsp;<br /> <br /> <strong>MATERIALS CHECKLIST:</strong><br /> <br /> <strong>Generation Green (g2 ) </strong>Bottle Cutter Picture Frame with glass &ndash; We used a 13&rdquo; x 17&rdquo; with an opening of 10&rdquo; x 13&rdquo;.<br /> Variety of glass bottles - different colors and sizes (enough bottoms to fill the opening of the frame).<br /> Acrylic Paint &ndash; Red Emery Paper Clear Silicone Gray or Black Grout &ndash; 2 cups Gallon Freezer Bag Eye Hooks &ndash; 4 heavy duty<br /> Chain &ndash; Decorative (chain length will vary depending on the window length)<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong>INSTRUCTIONS:</strong> Read and carefully following the instructions contained within the Generation Green (g2 ) bottle cutter manual.<br /> <br /> 1. Cover the work area with craft or newspaper.<br /> 2. Choose the frame for your project. Remove the glass from the frame and set aside. Paint the frame red, let dry.<br /> 3. To determine how many bottles you will need for this project, set the bottles inside the opening of the frame.<br /> 4. Once you have a count, measure from the bottom up and mark varying heights from 1&rdquo; through 3&rdquo; on each bottle using a Sharpie.<br /> 5. Next, using the bottle cutter, score and separate where indicated.<br /> 6. Smooth the rough edges as instructed in the bottle cutter manual.<br /> 7. Clean the original glass used in the frame. Insert glass back into the frame and secure in place with small nails.<br /> 8. Place the cut bottles, bottoms up, randomly into the frame until you are please with the placement.<br /> 9. Lift each bottle and place a thin bead of clear silicone around the rim, return it to it location on the glass inside the frame. Press with a small amount of pressure to seat it to the glass. Once all bottles are secure, allow to dry according to the manufacturer&rsquo;s recommendation.<br /> 10. Mask off around the interior of the frame using painters tape. This will prevent the grout from getting on the frame.<br /> 11. Measure 2 cups of grout into a bowl. Reserve a few tablespoons of grout and set aside. Following the manufacturer&rsquo;s instructions add water. If grout is too dry keep adding water, 1 tablespoon at a time. Mix grout with craft stick or plastic spoon until the grout reaches &ldquo;fudge-like&rdquo; consistency. If it is too watery, add the reserved dry grout in small amounts until the consistency is correct.<br /> 12. Fill a gallon bag with the mixed grout. Snip a small tip off the end of one corner.<br /> 13. Squeeze a thick layer of grout into all the spaces between the glass bottoms.<br /> 14. It is very important to remove with a paper towel any grout that is on the glass before grout is completely dry. Remove masking tape at this time.<br /> 15. Once completely dry, add two heavy duty eye hooks to the top of the frame. Clean glass with window cleaner.<br /> 16. Attach a chain to the eye hooks and suspend the frame in front of a window or lamp for best impact.