In this Instructable you will learn how to make a miniature ship in a bottle. This ship in a bottle is very cute and can be personalized!

Step 1: Materials and Tools

Materials:

Various balsa or bass wood
Glass bottle (mine is 5 by 2 cm)
Paint of your choice
White paper
Black thread
Black pen
Super glue

Tools:

Tweezers
Exacto Knife
Sand paper
Paint Brush

Step 2: Shape Your Hull

Cut a small piece of balsa wood to size and shape it. Use your exacto knife and sandpaper to cut the wood and shape it into your desired hull. I used reference images of ships to make it have the shape I wanted.

Step 3: Paint the Hull and Bottle

Using your paint and a small paint brush, paint the hull and the deck. To paint the bottle, carefully add blue add white paint to create your sea. I used yellow paint and added black and white accents on the hull. I also painted the deck white.

Step 4: Add a Bowspirit

A bowspirit is a spar extending infront of the ship. To make the bowspirit cut a sliver of balsa wood and attach it to the front of the ship. Some ships have a bowspirit and other do not, so keep this in mind when you are making your ship.

Step 5: Mast and Sails

First, create a mast that extends from a small hole on the ship's deck. This will be used to attach the sails. Cut small pieces of paper to size that attach to small booms or masts. Be as creative as you like. Then, attach some string or thread to the paper sails and draw on some details.

Step 6: Assemble

Since this ship in a bottle is so small, the proper technique used by sailors won't work. The method that worked best for me is to first slip the hull into the bottle and then the sail and mast. To fit the sails, wiggle it in slowly and use your tweezers to guide the mast into its hole on the deck. This takes time, so be patient. Add a drop of super glue to secure it. Then, glue the ship to the bottle on the painted section.

Step 7: Display!

Cork your ship and display it! I also made a little stand out of leftover balsa wood. These mini ships in a bottle are great for gifts or even a necklace!