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having noticed a lot of bottle being recycled in the neighbourhood I wondered if there was something I could do with the veterans I worked with (Mental health). The charity I worked with at the time were hoping to host a summer ball and wanted table centre pieces - I then remembered a pinterest board where someone had decorated the bottles and put those little cork lights in the middle. this activity was introduced to my clients to help them with some mindfulness and building confidence. I got hold of some old slices of logs to act as bases and we used glue guns to stick all manner of things on the bottles, such as feathers, beads, glitter, string, cut outs.... the results were outstanding. There is a great youtube video which you can take a look at, sadly this post wont let me copy and paste but if you put in DIY bottle art quick and easy you should find it. This lady uses pre coloured bottles, but we found that green and brown bottles worked just as well, one veteran sprayed some with glass etching spray which gave a lovely smokey effect, you can get the cork lights cheaply on amazon. We also tried glass paint, which worked but bear in mind you do have to bake these in an oven. Result, some very pleased veterans, who had something they could also take home with them if they wished, or donate to the charity ball centre pieces.
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Hi Yi-Lin, yes they do look fun, I quite fancy having a go at the tin can planters. I think if you paint them really bright colours they could cheer up any corner, not sure what I would grow in them though, trailing plants like lobelia probably. Thanks for your post!
Hi Karen, This sounds like a great idea and sounded like fun, glad that the veterans had something they could take away or donate as a centrepiece! When reading your post, this link I came across the other day came to mind - making planters out of used milk bottles. https://www.balconydecoration.com/diy-face-shaped-painted-plastic-bottle-planters/ I haven't made one yet but am thinking it could be a fun activity.
Great work Karen! Do you mind me asking where you are based as I also work with veterans?
Of course! More than happy, I am a strong advocate for the tradition OT arts and crafts based interventions so am happy to provide more if requested! and yes that is the video!
Thank you for sharing this idea with the community @Karen! Getting lost in such an activity (flow!) can have many therapeutic benefits, including those you mention... Are you happy for us to share your post across our social media networks, to bring it to the attention of fellow Hub Members? PS. You can add links to Forum posts here (select text then click the far right link icon in the menu that appears). Were you referring to a video like this?