In this lesson, you’ll learn how to turn an ordinary glass bottle into a beautiful and functional self-watering planter in this two-part live workshop. You’ll learn how to safely cut a glass bottle, smooth the edges, and then customize it with your own etched design.
Once finished, your planter becomes the perfect home for herbs, seedlings, or flowers — beginner-friendly for both makers and new gardeners alike.
*Note, this video is recorded from a live workshop that took place in Dec 2025.
🛠 Supplies You’ll Need
Glass Bottle Cutting
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One glass bottle (short neck preferred)
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Glass bottle cutter (around $22 on Amazon)
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Cutting oil (sewing machine oil works great)
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Two rubber bands
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Water + ice
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Tall pot for heating water (stovetop needed)
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Tall bowl for ice water
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Diamond sharpening stone or electric engraving tool (approx. $20 on Amazon)
Glass Etching / Design
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Painter’s tape or removable vinyl (any cheap/clearance vinyl works; color doesn’t matter)
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Cricut for designs (optional — not required)
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Etching cream (Armour Etch, ~$10 at Michael’s)
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Gloves
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Paintbrush or foam brush
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Optional: Rub ’N Buff metallic wax for color accents
Finishing Your Planter
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Soil
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Seeds
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Water
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Optional: A little sand to top the soil and help prevent mold
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Scissors
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Pen
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5 inches of cotton rope
👩🎨 Meet the Teacher: Tricia Barcello
is a lifelong maker with a knack for turning creative hobbies into every day magic. During the day she manages a corporate retail store; By night she works on these hobbies in her free time. She grew up dancing but also helped her dad repair sewing machines and later supported her mom’s sewing instructing business. These skills naturally led her to working in her college costume shop, designing and repairing costumes for the school’s productions. Sewing, crocheting, dancing and now Cricut crafting along with other small crafts have all earned a spot in her rotating lineup of ADHD fueled hobbies.
🎥 Watch the Video
💡 Key Takeaways
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Safety first: goggles, gloves, and proper ventilation recommended.
Glass dust, etching cream, and shards all require extra caution. -
For the temperature cutting technique, the shift is from cold water to near-boiling water.
Go slowly and over a surface as the bottle may come apart when you least expect it. Hold your hand under the base as you pull from cold water in case it drops back in, to prevent shattering. -
Diamond sharpening stones (mainly 400-grit) are ideal for this technique.
Different grits can be used, but 400 is Tricia’s go-to for consistent shaping and control. -
Consider using cutting oil to lubricate the cutter. Tricia uses sewing oil because she has it easily on hand.
If testing alternatives, start cautiously and expect different results with different oils. -
Choose your bottle wisely: shorter necks and thicker glass work best.
Be mindful of wine bottles with a pronounced bottom “punt” — it changes how your bottle top will sit. -
A pen-style engraving tool can be a nice extra for precision.
It allows you to guide your lines cleanly and maintain control over your design. -
Etching cream is powerful — it will etch anything it touches.
Use carefully, with intention, and protect your workspace.
💬 Join the Fun & Share!
Did you learn along with us? Do you have your own glass cutting or etching technique to share? Drop a comment below with your tips or show us what you made! We’d love to see your projects!
If you’ve got a skill related to creative reuse and want to share it in a post, reach out! hello@peovee.com
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