How to Turn the Bottom of a Plastic Bottle into Flowers!

You have used a portion of a plastic bottle for something (maybe an Inverted Planter perhaps) and you dont really want to waste the bottom of the bottle...

Never fear, here's what you do.

Cut around the bottom grooves so that you have one piece that looks kinda like a flower.

Punch some holes, or use a hot needle to make holes.

Gather some string, fishing line, dental floss, or those metal craft rings.

String them together and VIOLA! You have an instant wall hanging, doorway curtain, or privacy blinds for your window.

Or you can also make a hole in the middle of them and insert a LED into each of them for some pretty flower lights!

You can also spray paint them to get different effects and colors.

Very fun, useful, and great to set up for kids, especially as doorway hangers.

Comments

[Keznaa]

I started gathering bottles for this! By chance do you remember the shade of green you used? Looks so pretty! Also which brand if bottles do you use? I can't seem to find the right shaped bottoms

[einstien123]

Beautiful!

[Diamonds_OnTheInside]

Love these! I want to try making some with lights soon. :)

[HeavenBlueRose]

wow how neat :)

[Chikyugi]

Wow! Looks so amazing!

[chicklets2040]

Green project

[wilgubeast]

Looks great, but the link to your inverted planter Instructable takes us to a deleted project.

[hraza1]

simply awesome. Hats off

[craftyv]

Dear all. If you like this work you must look at Michelle Brand's web site to see more. They are beautiful arn't they. I'm currently putting the "flowers" onto a string of white christmas lights, so far so good.
I'm also looking for a way to join two flowers together to make a "fat" blossom. Glue and hot-glue hav'nt worked because the edges of the plastic are so thin and make the blossom look messy. Any ideas would be appreciated.
Great stuff.

[annagail]

Maybe you can figure out a way to melt them together?

[craftyv]

Thanks, yes I'm sure there's a way. The problem is trying to keep the very thin edges. But I go back to it from time to time. Just published another ible in Photography.

[mokamura]

Dear Craftyv I see your having problems gluing them together , try glue especially for plastic you can find some at a hardware store like Lowe's,home depot or Ace hardware or any local hardware store close to you , they have one I think they call it some thing like opxy ,aproxy not sure on the pronounce it lit alone write so check on it, hope it helps.

[craftyv]

Great, thank you for your interest. I now have two Instructables up, perhaps you might like to look at them. Craftyv. (Free Fun and How Colour can improve your mood)

[jada66]

HOW DO YOU GET TO HER WEB SITE?

[craftyv]

I literally typed in WWW Michelle Brand.com.uk.

She is a designer and Teacher (I think) of design in England. Good luck with finding more.

[hraza1]

its
www.michellebrand.co.uk

[Homeofmyown]

If you look closely, you can see she attaches them together using price tag fasteners. ( Like the ones use to hold price tags on clothing) The fasteners are uniform size and would make even spaceing.

[ali208]

Great idea I love the simplicity of it. I love crafts but never finish anytihng, this is something I think I can finish, however all I have are plain round donut shaped bottle bottoms... or even square bottle bottoms... I might not be able to make a flower but since we throw away at least 24 bottles a day I'm gonna think of something, then post a picture.

[craftyv]

Why not try to cut petal shapes around the bottom or waves I'm sure they would look good. Thinking about it, a variety of shapes and even sizes could look awesome.
It's the overall effect that counts. I cut scalloped edges and they turned out fine.

Good luck with it.

[kathynv]

What a lovely home, and your idea is incredible. About how many bottles do you need for a door curtain? Are the cut bottle 'flowers' stackable? I need to store them in some reasonably small place while I drink enough Diet Coke to make a floral curtain. I'll have to check in my community to make sure that they'll take the remainder of the bottle for recycling. Otherwise, I couldn't justify throwing away that much plastic when I have plastics recycling available to me.

[craftyv]

If you cut the "flower's" and put the hole in they will stack together brilliantly either threaded on a cord or stick or simply stacked inside each other .
If the whole bottles you are using are acceptable at your recycling plant then any part of the whole bottle is acceptable also. Good luck.

[Badgergirl]

These are soooooo pretty! I can't wait to try it. Only problem is I don't have that many bottles. I really like the light idea.

[craftyv]

Just ask all your friends and neighbour's to collect them for you, especially those with kids.
Provide a small box to put them in so they are not bothered by the clutter.
Most people would be pleased that they are being used for craft. Good crafting

[xPiixaaa]

wow the transparent flowers look amazing!

[Applejuice11]

great job! i have to try this some time!

[boukisan]

VIOLA! ha!

[fought piranhas]

How do you cut them out so perfectly?

[laminterious]

I cheat. I use scissors and then a belt sander or hand-held sand paper to smooth them out and make them look good.

[fought piranhas]

Ah ha! Where do you put to holes for the fishing line so they hang right?

[goatgirly]

I NEED to make one for my room but, that is a lot of bottles.

[laminterious]

high school cafeterias, if they dont have recycling, can be a great resource if you or a child goes.

[lala-chan]

Nice stuff! but if I remember right, this design was originated from Michelle Brand, a eco designer back in 2007.

[Grey_Wolfe]

These are lovely. Please tell me you entered this in the Tap'd NY contest.

[laminterious]

I didn't since I was not aware of said contest. :(

[joeysdreamgarden]

How lovely! They look great en-masse. I would never have thought to do that, great idea. :D Joey

[northie]

How did you string them so that they hang on their sides? Did you not string from the center hole?

[container_gardener]

This is a fabulous idea! It would work well on my balcony; the "flowers" would stand up against the elements.

[jelenamitic77]

This is absolutely adorable! Great idea, it looks wonderful, especially in real-flower surrounding!

[RiddleOfSphinx]

Aw, the power of recycling :D

[srilyk]

freakin sweet!