Glass Bottle Challenge The Patriotic Way

Mary Ann Goldberg
by Mary Ann Goldberg
2 Materials
2 Hours
Easy

Here's my entry for this week's challenge. I've had these "ingredients" for quite a while and this week's challenge was again a perfect opportunity to "get 'er done". I'll now be ready for next year's patriotic holidays.

It all starts with a pickle jar. I don't think the brand matters, but pickle jars all seem to have the correct sized area for the flag to be attached.

I went through all my colored stones and picked out 20 stones of each color as close to the same size as I could find. I estimated I'd need two rows of each color, using 9-10 in each row.

I didn't have white stones so I painted clear ones using white acrylic paint.

I had read somewhere that the stones will stick better if the jar is first covered with a layer of Mod Podge, so I gave it a coat. It did keep them from sliding, but no help with sticking.

To keep the jar from rolling I hot glued two screw drivers to the table to use as a holder for the jar. (It's an old table and I'm working up the courage to refinish it - also on my to-do list.)

I forgot to take pics during the gluing process. I removed the staff from one of the four flags (3-3/4" x 6-1/2") and glued the flag on the jar with Mod Podge - it covered exactly half of the jar. I started to hot glue the stones on but they didn't hold. So instead I put a drop of E6000 on the glass, put a drop of hot glue on the stones, then attached them together. That way the stones were kept in place until the glue dried. That seemed to hold well.

I poured in some clear marbles to hold the flags upright. And it's finished!

DIY patriotic crafts

For more patriotic projects you can easily make at home, check out these 4th of July decorations and Memorial Day crafts.

Suggested materials:
  • Pickle jar, glass stones, 4 USA flags, acrylic paint, marbles   (Already Had)
  • Screw Drivers, E6000, Hot glue/gun, Matte Mod Podge   (Already Had)
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3 of 13 comments
  • Kathy A Kathy A on Nov 12, 2017

    I love how this project can be turned around for a totally different look. I think it would also be awesome with a (battery) candle in it for either side. Or a string of tiny lights. Or filled with glass stones to hold sparklers in place on Fourth of July!

    • Mary Ann Goldberg Mary Ann Goldberg on Nov 13, 2017
      Thank you, Kathy, and I agree about the lights - I will add them in. Great idea!
  • Barbara Heimsness Barbara Heimsness on Jul 04, 2021

    I love the project. The only thing I would do different is separate each colored stripe with white. In the real flag the blue must never touch the red which signifies blood.

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