Art and Plant science : Recycling wine bottles

Me and sunny boy(3yrs) do lot of recycling art and craft activities in the afternoon. I strongly believing in recycling. I have been doing it since I was a kid ... I want to infuse the similar ideas about recycling in his mind.. The another thing is that it does save a lot of money which I would be spending if I have to buy new stuff for toddler activities..

This project is a Recycling + Kids craft activity + Bathroom decor.

I had these two empty wines bottles. These look perfect to put a money plant in it.

My son gets very excited for a painting activity. We started first by putting sticky tape on it. Sunny boy found circle stickers which he put on one bottle. He kept on asking why are we putting sticky tape?I told him to wait and watch. He decided to paint it blue. 

 I was a bit apprehensive about letting him hold a glass bottle so I held on it all the time while he painted. The next one I choose to paint it golden. So he did paint it.

We kept it for drying for a day or two. I pulled the tape to reveal the design. The effect is Wow..It does look pretty.. 

We put the creeper in the bottle..discussing about plant science- what and why plant need - sunlight and water, also we are observing the growth of roots and how the plant turns itself towards the sunlight .. Who knew a simple project could teach a toddler so much!!

Similar designs can be made on mason jars to convert them into tealight candle holders!!

Eco friendly designs by Anjali Venkat

We live on a island with limited resources and have no where else to go..That island is our planet earth..We should try our best to take care of it..The easiest way is to recycle, reuse and recreate..Today I am introducing to you all a fantastic artist who creates beautiful items with recycled material.. Her name is Anjali Venkat-a incredible glass artist from Chennai,India. Her art is funky, boho-chic and functional!!!!

She transforms discarded glass bottles into planters, CD racks, wall clocks, center tables... ...reclaimed wood and old magazine and calendar papers to create functional art. Each piece is hand-crafted and is therefore unique in its design and execution.

 A glass bottle flattened and drilled to make a planter.. would look beautiful as a centerpiece on your table in living room or even the office.. 

                                          A gorgeous plate to serve fruits or starters...

  These candle holders/ diyas are perfect for the coming Diwali season...

This rack would add color and spark to any plain or dull wall....

Another masterpiece decorated with tiny fused glass pieces..

All you lucky guys who are living in Bangalore can see her work in person. Anjali Venkat and Shetal Parrek are holding an exhibition of these and many more beautiful functional art works at the Chitra kala Parishat at Bangalore. It starts from 24th to 26th September. 

You can see more of her beautiful and creative work on her website Anjali design and  on her facebook page here!!!

All images courtesy Anjali Venkat!!

Organize with Recycled bottles

By now all those who read my blog know how much I love recycling..making plain items pretty and reusing!! I did this project in Zürich to organize my craft supplies. (I am so happy to see my stuff again tomorrow!!)

This project came to my mind when I saw glass jar (just like a jam jar) with a pretty cap in a local mall. I was wondering why people are buying empty jam jars/bottles with a pretty lid. I mean you can recycle the ones you have already have at home!! So I came home and decided to do it myself. 


To do this project,all you need is a used, empty, cleaned glass bottle/jar. I used a jalapeño bottle and acrylic colors. Then remove the paper label. I used a bottle without any engraving or labels embossed on it.  

I painted it 2-3 coats. Let it dry for 1 hour or more..

Decorate it whatever design you want using a stencil or painting directly..

Store your craft or food items in your pretty jar..

It's hard to tell if it is  reused bottle or  I bought a mass produced one from the mall:)

Recycling is good..It's very very good.. Just take a look at the pretty things people have created using recycled bottles.. 

                                                                                                   Pic courtesy: Metaefficient

The Christmas trees were made using recycled beer bottles..

                                                                                                                            Pic courtesy: Inhabitat

This Thai temple is build using more than one million glass bottles..It is a piece of art.. Check out more pics of the temple here..

                                                                        Pic courtesy: Jerry Kott

Jerry Kott's Lamps from recycled sculptures..

I am sure you are inspired... just a creative idea .. and you can make your own piece of art!!