Wine Crafts

Yesterday was devoted to making some little Christmas gifts for my BSF group. I had no idea they would take as long as they did. I have a tendency to just jump right into things first and working out the details as I go. But, it is always a learning experience, and often a challenge. I love challenges. These Christmas trees took the better part of most of yesterday to get them all done, but get them done I did. They are now done and are ready to give to my ladies tomorrow morning.

You all know I LOVE my wines, but I also love crafting too. I save my wine corks and bottles then creatively reuse them later. I turn them into all kinds of things. This is what I made with them yesterday. These are my little gifts for my BSF (Bible Study Fellowship) group.

Making these was definitely a labor of love. Step 1) I had to cut the corks and glue them together in the shape of a Christmas tree. Before I could do anything else with them, I had to let the glue dry completely and let them set. That took a while. I actually started these on Friday or Saturday in order to let them dry completely. Because corks are a type of wood, I used wood glue. I have found this works the best for the first gluing.

Step 2) I painted all the trees, and once again, I had to wait until the paint dried before I could move on to step 3. I just used an acrylic paint.

Step 3) Adding the decorations. I found some little shiny dots that I used as my “lights” for the tree. Step 4) After placing the “lights” on the trees, I added another coating of glue. This time I used a MOD glue, that was not only a glue, but also makes everything nice and shiny. Again, I had to let it dry. So much of this little project of mine was waiting for things to dry and set before I could move on.

Step 5) The final step was to add the ribbons to the trees. I just cut some pretty, festive ribbon then nailed it on to the corks. I used the very tiny nails to hold my ribbons in place. And voila! My little wine cork Christmas trees are done. Don’t they look fun and festive?

I must have been channeling my mother while making these. She and I used to do all kinds of crafts together all the time. She would have been proud of these and would have been right there helping me with them too if she could have been.

Here are some other ideas for both the corks and the bottles. I made this one a couple of years ago, and have made many others, and double hearts as well, since then. This was my first attempt at the corked heart.

Since then, I have progressed and made them more elaborate.

My friend Roxann made this wine bottle dish. I actually have a few of them. I use them all the time for various things. I like to use them as a butter dish when I am entertaining.

I painted this wine bottle light too. You can’t see the little lights too well, but the cork has a little battery pack with mini lights attached to it.

I did not make this wind chime, but I think I know how now, so don’t be too surprised if I make these at some point and you see it again.

I used to have a wine bottle succulent terrarium as well, but it broke. I love making these little funky, creative things. My point is, everything can be reused and repurposed. All it takes is a little imagination and lots of time and patience. Lots of time and patience. 🙂

Today and the rest of the week will be devoted to making cookies. Lots and lots of cookies. We have two services on Friday, and I need to make all the cookies for both of those for my coffee cart.

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays Everyone. Make them merry and bright and stay safe and stay well. ‘Til next time.