The other day, I wrote about attempting to drill through glass and I finished up the project this weekend. I think it turned out beautifully — I love the idea of bottled light thanks to Christmas Lights in a bottle!
These would be pretty by a wintery window or under an entry table. I like the way the gold paint makes the bottom of the bottles look misty and glow-y, even during the daytime.
I’ve got a ton of images and DIY instructions below if you’d like to try this too.
CHRISTMAS LIGHTS IN A BOTTLE TUTORIAL
I started with these apple juice bottles. I have long admired these bottles — I love the contrast of the big round barrel and the teeny little handle — and was glad to finally come up with a project where I could use them. The juice is good too! I got impatient waiting for the family to finish up the contents, so I had my oldest son pour what was left into another pitcher, then I washed out the inside.
Next, for my Christmas lights in a bottle project, I used my handy mini scraper tool to take off the label. This tool is basically a straight edge razor blade with a handle. When you’re done using it, you can flip the blade upside down so the sharp part is hidden in the handle. Such a useful tool! I use it to take sticky things off windows and other glass — no chemicals required.
Once the bottle was clean and label free, it was time to drill through the glass. We used a 3/8″ drill bit designed for glass and tile. The drilling takes a little while — maybe 20 minutes — because you can’t go too fast. The drilling will create white dust (I guess it’s technically sand) and as the hole gets bigger, it will smoke a bit from the heat.
[UPDATE: Hah! Apparently I did it all wrong. Lots of readers are chiming in with suggestions for safer and easier and faster ways to do this. Among other things, suggestions include wearing a mask, drilling while using water to cool the bit, and using other tools entirely.]
Next we painted. I experimented with some old jam jars and baby food jars first to try different techniques — like paint dripped from plastic spoons. But the kids voted and liked the sponged look best, so that’s what we did for the final project.
I used a disposable sponge brush and Liquid Leaf paint — but any metallic enamel paint should work. The paint is not water-cleanup, so a disposable brush is great for this project. I only needed a little bit of paint to get the coverage I wanted. Instead of brushing the paint on, I was mostly “patting” into place.
Once the paint was dry (it dries very quickly), we started stuffing our Christmas lights in the bottle. You’ll need a 50 light string that is not made to connect end-to-end. We had the hardest time finding lights like this. We went to 4 stores, but they all carried only end-to-end lights (which are the kind I prefer for my Christmas tree). Finally, I tried to think of who might carry old-school Christmas lights and Big Lots came to mind — because they often carry items from last season. Hooray! They had just what we needed.
The lights fit through one at a time, but it was a bit tight — I would recommend using a slightly larger drill bit and the light stuffing would go much faster. Oscar and Maude loved this part the best. Stuff every light on the string in, and the plug will dangle out the back, ready to find an outlet.
And that’s it! The Christmas lights in a bottle are a very satisfying project and a fun addition to our holiday decor. Though really, these don’t have to be holiday at all. We could use these for any sort of event where we want a little glow-y light happening. Maybe we need to have a party where bottled light is the theme. : )
I’ve made some lighted wine bottles, my only concern is how hot the bottles get with the 50 ct. lights. The bottle was very hot to the touch. Any ideas of using lights that don’t get so hot?
I’m a retired Industrial Arts teacher and the right coolant for drilling glass is kerosene. The best way is to make a small one inch ring around the spot to be drilled with PVC (they sell small tubes at a hardware store for plumbing, etc.) let it dry overnight and fill it with a little kerosene. On a drill press, the drill will go right through in no time. I never tried using a drill motor. ANY heat will crack the glass. Wear safety glasses.
Peggy: if you have old mirrors & the mirror itself is shabby try turning it into Mercury Glass. If you Google DIY Mercury Glass & there are some super easy DIYs online. I saw a DIY on an Anthopoghie Inspired Mirror where it had the mercury glass look but some spots on the mirror there was floral fabric showing thru. I also saw some awesome ways to embellish mirrors cheap! Silk flowers take off stem and dip in plaster or spray paint attach w hot glue gun (Metallic colors look good w the mercury glass look). Good luck !
Hi, Drilling a bottle the safe way
Drill press
diamond core bit what ever size hole you need
I use 5/8 for wine bottles lights
flower wire , a spray bottle with water
leather gloves eye protector and mask because of the glass dust is harmful to your lungs,
set up drill press to height you need you can put a brace in the back to get the spot you want the hole
spray the bottle
gently start lowering the handle of the drill press make sure the bottle is secured in place. gentle pressure as you hear the drill cut into the glass spray the bottle with some water, after the core bit makes the hold pass it up and down a couple of times to make sure edges are all smooth, check and make sure no spider cracks are around the hole and everything is smooth, if you have any cracks throw the bottle away and start over, I use flower wire to hold my lights up to the top that they are not all at the bottom I then recork the bottle the heat excape is the hole you put in the bottle. that is why you have to make sure no cracks are in the bottle. the bottle will break with the heat build up
safe cutting, gloves Leather are good eye wear and nose and mouth covered
I have seen so many people in the hospital ER because they did not put safety first.
Enjoy creating your crafts be safe
Put lighter fluid on any sticker/label and lat it set for a few seconds. The label will practically fall off but if it doesn’t, curl up one corner of the label and slowly pour the fluid on that area and it comes right up….continue doing that as you peel it off. As the label gets wetter, you won’t need more lighter fluid. So simple, I promise you. Of course, if you are going to use anything flammable on the area, wash it first.
Another idea… go to the craft store or walmart and buy the bags of potpourri and put it in the jar the lights heat it and make the room smell nice. I cover the top of the jar with lace instead of a lid and the scent comes through the lace. The lights don’t get hot enough to start a fire, but warm enough to make everything smell nice.
Hi. I tried this but the bottle is getting pretty warm when I turned on the lights. Is this a potential fire hazard? I used a wine bottle.
WONDERFUL project. I took my jar to the local glass store and they did it for free (or a tiny fee depending on the type of jar).
Tip: a hairdryer works great to warm the labels and peel right off. Or try the dishwasher. Goo-gone also works.
I’ve done this tons of times
Place a piece of masking tape over the area that you will be drilling.
Use a diamond tip drill piece. Drill on medium speed….don’t push while you are doing the drilling into the glass, but do apply some pressure to keep the tip moving through.
Becareful when you pull the drill and bit back through. Then put your lights in.
Do the lights get hot? Just worried that the lights would melt the wiring and ruin the project. Love love love the idea!
Thanks for the post, maybe people who tell you that you are doing it wrong should post there own up instead of ??????
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I made glass blocks a few years back. And yes SAFETY FIRST, What my husband did was lay a towel in the kitchen sink and let the water run very slow, just so that the water was running where he was drilling and he has drilled about 100 blocks for me. We are going to try the wine bottles next. I purchased my lights at Hobby Lobby and Big Lots. I also am surprised that you did not break your bottles when you did them without water. I will try the Apple juice bottles they look neat.
Drill the glass under running water it will stop it from splitting or breaking.
We can’t find lights in a jar in any shops. So it is a great idea, but make sure you drill the jar with running water. I am going to try a wine bottle should be interesting.
My name is Bill I use wine bottles and drill a hole below the back label, I fill the wine bottles up with water and use water to keep drill bit cool. To finish the project I decorate the bottles with hats and scarves, purchased online.