Introduction: Desktop Message in a Bottle
Give someone you love a message in a bottle to show how much you care this Valentine's Day; or anyday really.
I remember making "wave machines" in plastic bottles when I was younger.
You could say this is a more romantic version.
It's fairly easy to make. The hardest part is finding the tiny bottles.
I used glass bottles but you could use plastic, which can really float. If the small bottle can float you could skip the string step. Just make sure to weight the small bottle with enough sand to float at the right level.
I remember making "wave machines" in plastic bottles when I was younger.
You could say this is a more romantic version.
It's fairly easy to make. The hardest part is finding the tiny bottles.
I used glass bottles but you could use plastic, which can really float. If the small bottle can float you could skip the string step. Just make sure to weight the small bottle with enough sand to float at the right level.
Step 1: Gather Materials
YOU NEED:
2 bottles - 1 small enough to fit inside the other; labels removed, washed and dried. (I used a small sample of Tabasco for the small and a sea salt bottle for the large.)
Baby oil - enough for 2/3 of your large size bottle
Small amount of sand - to go inside your small bottle
Water - enough for 1/3 of your large bottle
Blue food coloring - or whatever color you want
Glue - appropriate for glass or your materials
Nylon craft string
Spouted Measuring Cup or pitcher
Decorations
ALSO NEEDED:
Small paper and pen
Scissors
2 bottles - 1 small enough to fit inside the other; labels removed, washed and dried. (I used a small sample of Tabasco for the small and a sea salt bottle for the large.)
Baby oil - enough for 2/3 of your large size bottle
Small amount of sand - to go inside your small bottle
Water - enough for 1/3 of your large bottle
Blue food coloring - or whatever color you want
Glue - appropriate for glass or your materials
Nylon craft string
Spouted Measuring Cup or pitcher
Decorations
ALSO NEEDED:
Small paper and pen
Scissors
Step 2: Prep the Small Bottle
Put a small amount of sand into the tiny bottle.
Write a small love note and roll it so it fits through the neck.
Glue the cap on.
Tie some nylon string around the bottle neck, but do not cut it from the spool yet.
Place a little more glue around the neck to secure the string.
Set it aside to dry completely.
Write a small love note and roll it so it fits through the neck.
Glue the cap on.
Tie some nylon string around the bottle neck, but do not cut it from the spool yet.
Place a little more glue around the neck to secure the string.
Set it aside to dry completely.
Step 3: Prep the Large Bottle
Fill a spouted measuring cup with water.
Add food coloring until you reach your desired color.
Pour and fill about 1/3 of your large bottle.
Add food coloring until you reach your desired color.
Pour and fill about 1/3 of your large bottle.
Step 4: Put Them Together
Once the glue is dry, hold the string and lower the small bottle into the large bottle.
Carefully wrap the string around the neck of the large bottle and pull until the small bottle is "floating" at the level you want.
Tie the string a few times to hold it in place. Cut the string.
Slowly pour the baby oil into the large bottle and fill to the top.
Glue the cap on and place more glue around the neck to secure the string.
Carefully wrap the string around the neck of the large bottle and pull until the small bottle is "floating" at the level you want.
Tie the string a few times to hold it in place. Cut the string.
Slowly pour the baby oil into the large bottle and fill to the top.
Glue the cap on and place more glue around the neck to secure the string.
Step 5: Decorate
Wrap jute twine or ribbon around the bottle top.
Tie on buttons or a gift tag.
That's it.
Tie on buttons or a gift tag.
That's it.