Project perfume-bottle vase

You know how I am about glass.

It's nearly unheard of that I throw away anything made of glass.

I have dozens of those lids that go on jar candles. Dozens. They make good paperweights.

Also did you know they fit perfectly into the top of wide-mouth mason jars?

Well they do.

Meanwhile I must force myself to toss pickle jars into the recycling bin.

Anyway on my dresser have been for years several empty perfume bottles.

I cannot throw them away, not ever, do not ask or even think it. I can barely throw away the boxes they came in, and as often as not, I don't.

But that's another blog post entirely.

So the other day Erica and I were paddling around in the pool and she told me she'd seen on Pinterest where people took the atomizers off their old perfume bottles and used the glass part as a bud vase.

Oh.

So this morning, a cloudy semi-rainy Monday when my TG was in and out of the house running errands, at one point when he was in the house, I rounded up my empties and mentioned that I may need a pair of pliers.

Twenty minutes later my gallant beloved presented me with four bottles, atomizer-free.

He only broke one, and I'm sure it wasn't his fault, and even though it was my only empty Chanel bottle I am not bitter.

He said: "We can always buy you another."

*twinkle*

Plus which I have another very-nearly-empty one and now that TG is an expert on removing the atomizers, I'm sure we will have no more beheaded bottles.

Now I don't pretend to tell you how to get the crimped-on atomizers off easily. 

Because like I said, I didn't do it.

But I'm sure you can hurt yourself if you're not careful so if you attempt this, do watch out because I don't need your three-fingered right hand on my conscience.

So then the fragrances trapped inside, those last drops unreachable by the little plastic straw threaded through to the nozzle, burst into the room.

And I was transported to 1984 by the scent of Magie Noire, because it was while on a trip to North Carolina in the summer of that year, that TG bought me my first of many bottles of that fragrance.

Then I got a whiff of Jo Malone Grapefruit, an enchanting concoction I doubt I'll ever wear again, but which bottle I treasure because it was a gift from Audrey after she'd gone on a business trip to Chicago in 2009.

I still have the box, too, and the expensive-looking bag it came in.

The Ralph Lauren Romance bottle has such a charming crystalline heft, such a classic vibe, that I still think it's funny I cannot actually wear that fragrance. I sprayed the whole bottle -- over a period of years -- into the air in my room.

Any Chanel perfume bottle is elegant beyond description so I will not try. All you have to do is look.

I had to beg flowers from the neighbor -- no, not Bothertons, but our excellent nabes from across the street, the ones whose tree fell on TG's truck three years ago -- bygones -- because nary a petal is on display in my entire yard.

So there you have it, a project ideal for someone un-crafty, not quite a hoarder, one who cannot be trusted with pliers but who is fortunate enough to have a sweetheart who wielded them for me, and made me happy in the process.

And that is all for now.

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Happy Monday ~ Happy Week

Comments

[Mari]

:) You have made me so happy with this post. I have some similar bottles, that I don't want to through out. They make beautiful bud vases! Thanks!

[Glenda]

Oh my goodness J. Those turned out really pretty. I like that idea.

G.

[irene]

Isn't glass the most amazing thing. I know we are sisters in some other dimension, my husband is always saying why do you need this jar? I just do. But perfume bottles I do not have, i have such a difficult time with scents these days. Love your creations, wouldn't that be a great centerpiece for a bridal shower, or a Mother's Day tea...

[Sue the Hobbit]

I keep most of my glass bottles too, and have been using such lovelies as bud vases for some time. But I don't have any Chanel No. 5 bottles.
I am going to try the candle lid thing with a mason jar. I will be very happy if it works.

[Sally]

Now, isn't that just the sweetest! Love this post.

I've not tried that, but will tell you I had a heck of a time taking the innards from those
light bulbs when making the vases. :)

[Barb]

Jenny - I could send you all my used glass bottles which go immediately into recycling (except for antique glass - but I don't have much). I'm busy purging - no used glass here. I'll just enjoy your photos - those bygone memories are nice!