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Turn your leftover wine bottles into beautiful backyard DIY wine bottle Tiki torches. They are a perfect way to recycle those old bottles and keep away the bugs from your backyard entertaining area.
Even though it’s just the beginning of August, school is about to start for our kiddos. We have been soaking up the last few days of summer break and enjoying the company of friends and neighbors. I love that we live in a small neighborhood where spontaneous get-togethers can happen just by walking out your front door. Every year towards the end of summer, we celebrate the end of the season with a neighborhood block party. These have been known to last from late afternoon until well after the sun goes down. And like any good neighborhood party, everyone brings something to eat and drink and share.
Here in the South we love to be outside. But, we also have to deal with a crazy amount of bugs buzzing around and landing on our food and wine glasses! Don’t these bugs know better than to mess with a mother of three’s wine glass? Jay has been lighting our large Tiki torches in the backyard to try and keep them away. This sparked an idea – for our block party I decided to make portable citronella Tiki torches out of recycled wine bottles. I always have some Woodbridge by Robert Mondavi on hand for any of the aforementioned spontaneous gatherings. What better way to bring neighbors together than opening up a nice bottle to share?
Ok, back to the Tiki torches, not only did they keep those pesky bugs away from our block party spread, they also made pretty centerpieces and kept the party lit throughout the evening.
Supplies:
For this project you will need:
- An empty, clean wine bottle. I used a sponge to scrub off the label under warm water. For this torch I used Woodbridge by Robert Mondavi Chardonnay. The medium body pairs so well with appetizers (one of my favorite food groups) and is so refreshing during the summer, plus the clear green bottle really shows off the marbles.
- Teflon tape
- 1/2 inch copper cap
- 1/2 x 3/8 copper coupling
- Tiki replacement wick
- Jute (optional)
- Marbles or small rocks/gravel
- Tiki torch fuel (I used one with citronella)
First step is pour yourself and your friends a glass of wine so you will have an empty bottle 🙂 This is probably…no, definitely my favorite step. Next, wash the bottle out and scrub off the label using a sponge under warm water, then dry the bottle completely.
With a hot glue gun, wrap the jute around the middle of the wine bottle, securing the jute with hot glue. This part is optional but I feel it dresses up the torch.
Next add some marbles or small rocks to the wine bottle, filling 1/4 to 1/2 way up the bottle. Word of caution, the first time I made one of these, I had the bottle standing up and just plunked the marbles in the bottle. This resulted in the bottle breaking. I suggest turning the bottle on it’s side and gently rolling the marbles into the bottle.
To prepare the wick, wrap the 1/2 inch end of the copper coupling with Teflon tape. Keep wrapping to build up the tape enough so it fits in the top of the bottle without falling into the bottle. Insert the wick in the coupling until it sticks out about 1/4 inch.
Use a funnel to fill the bottle with fuel and then insert the wick and coupling. Make sure to let the wick absorb the oil for 5-10 minutes and then light.
These DIY wine bottle Tiki torches are great to have at any neighborhood block party or backyard BBQ. To ensure you have enough bottles to use, promptly invite over friends and family and uncork a bottle of Woodbridge by Robert Mondavi wine. These wines are meant for sharing and can amp up the fun factor at any gathering from an impromptu card game on the back porch to an intricately planned neighborhood event.
Jessi Puga
These are ADORABLE! I’m making one of these with my next wine bottle…er tonight. 😉 lol Awesome tutorial….and a wonderful up cycling idea!! Pinned!
Karen Coghlan
I am not a big wine drinker but occasionally imbibe… The last wine bottle I threw away made me feel bad, they are do study and could be reused for something,,, Thank you for the idea…
Kim
Finally- something to do with all of the wine bottles! It would be great for a backyard event. You took great photos!
Paula
These are super cute! We often entertain with our neighbors, and summer is such a great time to have outdoor parties.
Debra
This turned out absolutely amazing! It is gorgeous. I love how it turned out and that it seems easy!
Ali Gilbert
That is so clever! Neighborhood block parties are the best. We just moved to a new neighborhood so we don’t know anyone anymore. Anyways, love this adorable DIY project. Perfect gift for a wine drinker too!
Wendy
What a great DIY. We certainly have plenty of wine bottles around here. I don’t do crafty projects often but need to try this one.
heather
Thanks Wendy! Yes, it doesn’t take very long to put together and nice to have around during the summer.
Heather
How cool is this?! I would never think to make something like this, but lord knows I have enough wine bottles around to do it 🙂
heather
You sound like us 🙂 Always some extra bottle hangin around 🙂
Reesa Lewandowski
I love this idea! I have never really thought what to do with the empty wine bottles and feel bad just tossing them out when some of them are beautiful. This is a great idea.
heather
Thanks Reesa. I love a repurposing DIY.
Yvonne Sowell
Ooh, these look great! Saves so much money instead of needing to constantly buy new bamboo ones because the soot dirties it too much.
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heather
Thanks Yvonne!
Toughcookiemommy
This is such a wonderful and creative idea. I like that it allows me to upcycle the wine bottle while creating a bright ambiance for any outdoor gathering.
heather
Thank you!
Roxanne
This is both brilliant and beautiful! I love the addition of marbles for a unique look! I’m going to try these for sure!
heather
Thanks Roxanne!
Amie @ Busy Bliss
I love a good DIY project. Looks like I have an excuse to drink some wine!
heather
I always love a good excuse to drink some wine! 🙂
Erica
So cool! Looks beautiful and it’s so great you can make something so useful with recycled items. I’m going to have to give this one a try 🙂
heather
Thanks Erica!
Terri Steffes
These are super cute and fun to make. Getting all colors of wine bottles makes for a colorful table!
heather
Yes, I need to find some blue bottles next time 🙂
Di Hickman
I’ve seen this on pinterest and always wondered how easy it is to do, You made it look super quick and easy! Now I just need someone to drink some wine and give me a bottle! (beer drinkers here)
heather
Thanks Di!
Dawn McAlexander
Now this is a craft that I really want to try. I have long wanted some tiki torches but thought that they were way too expensive. I could really do this and not spend so much money on an actual tiki torch.
heather
Thanks Dawn!
tp keane
what a great idea. I have PLENTY of wine bottles, must give this a go and maybe set them out over the garden.
heather
They are really easy to make and would be great on a table in your garden.
karen
I have totally seen people make this DIY and I’m always intrigued to try it… but havent yet. You are inspiring me to test it out! Time to drink some wine! lol
Karen
heather
Yes you should definitely try making one!