Two Solar Powered Garden Fairy Houses From Wine Bottles

I love to paint on things, other than just painting paper, or canvas. Wood is my favorite. Glass is not one of my favorites, but it is a challenge every time. My mom had been saving a ton of wine bottles. She loves to paint on glass, and was planning on painting these. But, she got so many she just did not know what to do with them. Some have been sitting in my garage, for quite some time, then you brought more, lol. A few years ago, I painted a bunch of them, and they are garden watering bottles. You just fill them, invert them, and stick them into the ground near the plant. It works wonderful, and now I have so many plants, I need to make more.  The paint is all still there, even after three years, just not as bright from the harsh sun.   But, I got this other idea first. I bought one Solar powered light, that is small, for like garden use. Then I took two of the large bottles, made sure the solar light would slide down into the bottle, and then painted the bottles. Originally my intention was that they would look like a lighthouse. Which they do. But, then I remembered we live in a state where we get frequent harsh storms, with strong winds, so I figured I better put it into the ground just a little bit. So, I dug a small hole, and put it in there, and filled the dirt around it. Voila, now it doesn't look so much like a lighthouse, but more like a Fairy House. So, that is what I will call them. The red and white one, does not have a solar light yet, but I will get it this week. I am going to take a picture after it gets dark, to see what it looks like. I am going to put these all around my gardens, and maybe save some electricity too, when we have night get togethers. I will be listing these in my Etsy store, as made to order only. You can pick how you want them, but I have to say they take a full day from start to finish, and several layers of paint, and sealer. They would be great for a night wedding, or party. If you were real clever you could probably even hang them from a tree with sturdy wire or rope.

Theme Friday: Pink Hues

This post is a day late. I don't know why, but I can not upload the pictures from my computer anymore. I have to upload to Picasa then upload to the blog from there. Anyway, this week's theme was shades of pink hues. I love the color pink. It is definitely a favorite in jewelry, art, clothes, just about anything. This week I have three items to share with you. Just click the links for each item, if you want to learn more info, or to purchase. All of these items are in Etsy stores. Remember if you want to join in the weekly theme, and get your items seen, click the Facebook app on the left hand side of this blog and then like. First is the Pink Sunrise at the Lighthouse painting. This is an acrylic painting. Next is the Strawberry Rose Button Bracelet, and third is the Pink Polka Dot Bottlecap image sheets. These are handmade items, made by friends of my Facebook page. Be sure to check them all out and save them for your Christmas shopping needs.   I repeat with a new theme each Friday.  All items shared get added to Twitter, Pinterest, this blog and Facebook.

Wire Wrapped Cuff Bracelet, Lighthouse Painting and Moonlight Sail Painting

If you follow this blog, then you know I have not made any new jewelry pieces in a while. Last night I got out all the supplies to make a cuff bracelet today. I told myself I was going to paint, crochet and make a piece of jewelry. These Amethyst colored acrylic beads were the only beads large enough that I could use. I need to get some new beads, so I can make more of these. However, I do have watch faces, and may try that with some smaller beads in between. I had tried cuffs before, but couldn't get it quite right. Thanks to all free jewelry and this tutorial, I now know the basics of how to do it. I do not like a lot of wire, but I do like wire wrapping, just not too busy. I also painted this Moonlight Sail painting, which I absolutely love.  I had to use two coats of the blue paint, to get it as dark as I wanted.  I would have liked a navy color too, but that might have been too dark.  This was my first try, and I must say I did really good.  I started the lighthouse at sunrise, also, but it was a much lengthier painting than I anticipated.  It is about half done, and will be finished soon.  Be sure to check my Etsy store for all my fine items.  I offer a free layaway service, so shop now and pay as you go.