Let’s make painted bottle lanterns!
I came across these cool battery-operated lamps that look just like wine bottles-turned-candle lanterns.
So clever! I thought they would be perfect for a porch at night while watching the fireworks!
They come in sets of two, and they are prime for painting.
Because my husband is such a great artist, I asked him to work his magic. I told him, “Keep it simple so people at home can do it.”
How to make painted bottle lanterns
There’s something magical about transforming everyday items into art—and that’s exactly what we’re with these painted bottle lanterns!
Whether you’re lighting up your backyard for a summer fiesta or adding a cozy glow to your craft space, these upcycled beauties are the perfect blend of creativity and sustainability.
If oyu can’t find pre-lit bottles like these art the store – just grab empty glass bottles (yep, the ones you almost tossed in the recycling bin), your favorite paints, and turn them into glowing works of art that shine as bright as your imagination. Trust me, once you make one, you’ll want to paint a whole collection!
Supplies:
Clean, empty glass bottles (wine, soda, or sparkling water bottles work great)
Acrylic paint or multi-surface craft paint
Paintbrushes (round and fine tip for details)
Painter’s tape or stickers for masking shapes (optional)
Battery-operated fairy lights or cork-shaped LED bottle lights
Rubbing alcohol and paper towels (for cleaning)
Clear sealer spray (optional for outdoor use)
Directions:
First, clean your bottles thoroughly.
Remove all labels by soaking them in warm, soapy water, then scrub off any residue.
Wipe the surface with rubbing alcohol to make sure it’s free of oils or fingerprints—this helps the paint stick better.
Next, it’s time to paint!
Start with the background and then add details and accents.
NOTE: You can also decoupage images on the bottles with Mod Podge – so much easier, right?
Let the bottles dry completely. Depending on your paint, this could take an hour or so. For extra durability, especially if your lanterns will be outside, spray them with a clear sealer once dry.
Pop in your fairy lights! If you’re using cork-style LED bottle lights, just insert them into the top of the bottle. You can also drop a strand of battery-operated fairy lights inside and hide the battery pack behind the bottle.
Here’s what we ended up with! They are freakin’ mini-masterpieces! He even painted a bald eagle, and an up-close version of the Statue of Liberty. I love my honey – he sure knows how to give it is all!
Now for those of us who don’t such extreme talent to be able to whip up something like this, let’s look to other options:
– Glitter the bottle
– Decoupage images
– Use Puffy Paint to write sayings
– Glass etching
-Wrap with yarn
Just remember to keep enough open space so the light shines through! The battery chamber and switch is at the bottom.
Looks like the real thing!
