Upcycled Hanging Herb Garden

Description

Upcycled Hanging Herb Garden
BY Lauren DiSanza
SKILL LEVEL: 2.5 (1 being the easiest, 5 being most difficult)
TIME TO COMPLETE: 4 hours (does not include drying time)
→PROJECT TIP
• Always, wear safety goggles when using glass-crafting tools. Everyday eyeglasses have only impact resistant lenses.
• To ensure top performance keep your bottle cutter blade oiled.

MATERIALS CHECKLIST
• 3 - 1.5 Liter Wine Bottles
•Corks
• 33 yards of jute
• Elmer’sGlue • Marker • Craft or Newspaper
• Rubber Mallet

Create today and preserve tomorrow with this upcycled herb garden. Upcycling is the process of converting waste materials (such as glass bottles) or useless products (like our old damaged coat rack) into a brilliant new item! So go green and craft this nifty project today!

INSTRUCTIONS
Read and carefully following the instructions contained within the Generation Green (g2) bottle cutter manual. Instructions for use will not be repeated in these instructions.

1. Cover the work area with craft or newspaper.
2. Choose three 1.5 liter bottles, remove labels and glue residue from the surface of the bottle. Measure, then mark with a Sharpie9 1/2” down from the top of the bottle.
3. Using the bottle cutter, score and separate where indicated.
4. Smooth the rough edges as instructed in the bottle cutter manual.
5. Place the bottles on your work surface with the necks facing up.
6. Cut jute into twenty-two 1 1/2 yard segments.
7. For each planter, fold two of the 1 1/2 yard segments in half and wrap them around the bottle’s neck; secure with a standard double knot. Repeat this process three times, so that you have a total of four groups of strands around the neck. Space them equally around the bottle. Tie a single square knot (FIG. 1, You can find example in the Pdf. file) at the top of each cluster.
8. Next, using two strands from adjacent clusters of jute, form a square knot about 1 1/2” down from the original knot. Repeat this process around the bottle until you have four knots. (FIG. 2) 9. Repeat step 8, until you reach the rim of your bottle; you will be making a diamond pattern down the surface of the bottle. Your last row of knots should sit at, or just above the cut rim of the bottle.
10. Tie an overhand knot (FIG. 3) at the end of each cluster of jute to secure in place, then braid the remaining strands together, forming 4 braids 4 1/2” – 5” long. Place a small piece of tape around the edge to keep from unraveling while you braid the adjacent strands. Using an overhand knot, join two adjacent braids to create what will resemble shopping bag handle. Repeat on the other two segments. Trim the remaining jute and secure with a small drop of glue. Allow to dry before hanging.
11. Repeat steps 7-10 on one other bottle.
12. For last bottle tie three loops instead of four from the 1 1/2 yards of jute around the neck and repeat the process found in steps 7-10. For this bottle you will have three knots per row and you will tie the three braids together.
13. To finish planter, insert the wine cork back into the bottle. If cork is stubborn, tap gently with a rubber mallet.