Let me make this " CRYSTAL" clear.

Is there something that you've held onto over the years that's precious to you?

Something that would be puzzling to anyone else who gazes at it, as to why?

For our honeymoon we toured the pacific coast . Each day we stayed at a different coastal town. At one of our stops we took a long awaited walk on the beach. Where I discovered for the first time, Sea Glass. The sun was quickly setting, and I gathered as many of these precious gems as I could. Only catching a few from the wet sand before the sun would set. I put them in my pocket for safe keeping.

When we arrived to our new home, I carefully put my Sea Glass Jewels along with the few shells that I had collected into a simple bottle with water. I have carried it to each home we've moved into. Where it sits, positioned just right, capturing the light from the morning sun reflecting a rainbow of colors. My wonderful keepsake always takes me back to that romantic stroll on the beach. As a "young" newlywed couple walked, shared and planned they're life together. That was 27 years ago, but feels like yesterday every time my eye catches a glance of my little bottle of sea glass.

Here are my priceless jewels.
May not be worth much to many, but priceless to me.

I think that's when I first developed a passion for collecting all types of crystal/glass.
Antique, modern, stemmed, monogrammed, you name I love it!
Do you see Lidy's french glasses peeking from the back row?
You'll see more of them come spring and summer.

Needless to say... when I have the option of sending a glass bottle to the recycling center for the melt down it revs my creative energy into high gear, starting with these unique bottles.

Look at the ornate hardware.

I found Christian Lacroix evian water bottles at Big Lots.
The raised white lace details are beautiful.
Thanks to The Queen of Style Gollum who clued us in on the amazing finds that Big lots carries.
I was able to find the bottles for a dollar compared to the fourteen on Ebay!
The flutes pictured above were another incredible find at the Lots.
Ready for this...$2.99 each!
Yup, They look identical to my cut crystal from Mikasa
Thank you Michael, I owe you one, two......

I pulled out my stash and went to work.





I found a variety of mini picture frames, this one was just over a dollar from Michaels.
It had a Valentine feel with just the right amount of sparkle .
There was a slight dilemma... it was connected to a key chain.
Something that a pair of handy wire cutters shortly remedy.
I hung a few charms on a chain creating a necklace for my lacy bottle.

The pouring spout was a find at the Dollar Tree, two to a pack. Fifty cents a piece, now that's a deal!
Once I got started..... many designs evolved.
One was made with a mini chalkboard and black chain from Home Depot, at 69 cents a foot it was more affordable than jewelry chain.
The links were a little larger on the HD chain, so it was easier attaching the jump rings and charms.
I also repurposed a rosary that added a vintage look.
Once you get started you'll be looking for all sizes and styles of bottles, the smaller are ideal for liquid soaps or vinaigrette's.
I was a little concerned the frame might bang against the bottle when it was handled so,
I secured the back of the frame to the glass with a Velcro dot.

My battery conked out, so I couldn't get a good shot of my completed bottles.
I hope you can get the the idea from these fuzzy pics.



I can swap the tag out to match my elixir de jour.