Cutting Glass Bottles

Bottles make the most interesting of simple glassware. However every method I found to cut a bottle resulted in a heap of shattered glass. Each one was unique but not practical as glassware. That is until I came across a simple and elegant method using clay. And who doesn't like to play in clay!

You will need:

• Glass bottles
• Glass cutter
• Sculpey clay
• Water
• Electrical tape
• Hand sander
• Ducktape (optional)

You're going to be cutting glass bottles. This isn't a natural thing for glass bottles. Please make sure to wear the appropriate protection especially eye protection and gloves.

I used rolls of duck tape as a guide to take sure that all my bottles were cut at the same height. Place the bottle in the center of the duck tape rolls and using your glass cutter score the bottle going around it 2 or 3 times.

Once you have scored the bottles use your clay and put it all the way around your bottle above and below the score line. You want the clay to be close to the score line but not on top of it.

First you will need to boil some water. Once the water is boiled turn on your tap to the coldest setting. You will need both very hot and very cold water for this to work. Pour the hot water between the clay then immediately put it under the cold water. Continue to repeat these steps until the bottle splits in two. You may need to place a little bit of pressure on the bottle to help it split.

DO NOT hit the bottle with anything while it is being exposed to two extreme temperatures. This may cause the bottle to shatter and potentially result in blood loss. You've been warned.

Wrap the bottles in electrical tape. This will help hold the bottle together and this tape does not leave behind a residue.

Make sure that you are wearing the proper safety gear: Safety glasses, work gloves and a face mask.

Use the hand sander and sand the edges until it is smooth.

Now you have a glass cup that can be used for anything you can think of!