Craft Bottle Plastic

Although we pay for a bottle deposit each time we purchase beverages, not all people return their empty cartons, leaving plastic bottles laying around going to waste. Plastic bottles that are not recycled consume much-needed space on the planet.

Creating plastic bottle crafts is a resourceful way to help rectify this problem and can present a whole range of fun.
-Vases. Cut off the top third of the bottle to make a vase. Decorate the bottle with paints, studs and other embellishments or leave it clear for sunlight to pour through. If you plan on using real plants, place the vase in a sunny location and add water regularly.
-Bottle Terrarium. A terrarium is a container that holds small plants and animals under controlled conditions. The terrarium can be used to duplicate a plant's natural living environment. Fill a base with potting soil, plant your seeds and plants in the soil and water until moist. Cut the end of a 2-liter soda bottle close to the neck, discarding the neck portion. The cut soda bottle will function as the clear dome that will protect your plants and allow sunlight in. Your cut will vary according to the base size. The base and dome should fit snugly together. Place your terrarium in a sunny location and water on a regular basis.
-Change Banks. Remove the brand label from a 2-liter soda bottle and cut a quarter-sized slit near the neck of the bottle to create a makeshift change bank. Paint the outside for a more personalized look or for privacy. You will have to cut the bank open if you want to access the change. The bottle is easily transportable, and makes a great gift.
-Ice Packs. Any size bottle can be used as an ice pack. Fill 2/3 of the bottle with water and leave it in the freezer. When in use, be sure to wrap the bottle in a towel to prevent frost burn.
-Potpourri Holder. Cut the top half of the bottle off and fill the bottom half with assorted potpourri. Wrap the bottle with lace and other trimmings for a decorative touch. You can display the potpourri holder on an end table or on top of a dresser.
-Ocean in a Bottle. Fill a bottle half full with olive or canola oil and the other half with water. Add blue food coloring and glitter to the mix, then reseal the bottle. The mixture will create a wave effect. You can add small items like toy ships and plastic starfish to 2-liter bottles for extra fun.
-Funnel. Cut off the bottom half of a plastic bottle. Flip the top half around and you have a makeshift funnel. You can use the funnel for filling water balloons. This funnel would be great for a one-time use with tough substances like motor oil.

Don't discard those empty plastic soda and water bottles, get creative and make crafty home and garden projects. Keep the bottles intact or use the plastic as a raw material; either way, you can decorate the plastic with permanent markers, spray paint or acrylic craft paint to camouflage the original bottle.