DIY Upcycled Glass Catchall Trinket Dish for Men

Home Pro Shop provided the supplies used to create this upcycled trinket dish.  All thoughts and opinions are my own.  This post contains affiliate links.

I’ve wanted to try bottle cutting for so long but the idea has always scared me a bit.  I just couldn’t imagine that it could be very easy.  When Home Pro Shop sent me a bottle cutter kit for my holiday gift guide, I couldn’t wait to try it … and now I’m dreaming up every bottle cutting idea I can!  I made this upcycled glass catchall trinket dish in less than an hour {that includes the time the etching cream had to sit} and I think it would make a really fun and unique gift for a guy.  It’s the perfect place to throw keys, loose change, or even a ring at the end of the day.

To make this DIY upcycled glass trinket dish, you’ll need a bottle cutting kit, an empty wine bottle, and etching cream.

When cutting or crafting with glass, it’s always imperative that you take safety precautions.  Be sure to wear cut resistant gloves {they come in this bottle cutting kit} and safety glasses.

Rinse the wine bottle but don’t worry about making sure it’s perfectly clean inside.  Once you’ve cut the bottle, you can easily clean any dregs that are left behind.

Before you start cutting, you’ll want to remove the label from the wine bottle.  I found the easiest way to do this was with goo gone or another adhesive remover and hot water.  Peel off as much of the label as you can then let the adhesive remover sit on the remaining label for a few minutes and scrape it off with a razor blade or counter scraper.

How to Cut a Wine Bottle

To cut the bottle, you’ll set the base of the bottle cutter at the height you want {this determines how deep the trinket dish will be} then, wearing gloves and protective eye gear, place the base of the bottle against the metal base and turn the bottle one full turn, holding it against the blade.

It’s really important to keep the bottle flush against the base of the bottle cutter or you’ll end up with a line that isn’t straight.

Once you’ve turned the bottle in one full turn, you’ll see a score line.

Now comes the fun and slightly intimidating part but once you’ve tried it once, you’ll realize how easy it is.

You’ll need hot and cold water.  Cold water from the tap is fine but you’ll need to heat the hot water, either in a kettle or the microwave.

When the water is ready, place a towel in the sink {to cushion the bottle when it falls} and slowly pour hot water over the score line then cold water.  Hold the bottle just a few inches over the towel in the sink and repeat the hot and cold water pours until the bottle splits apart at the score line.

Clean and dry the bottle.

Wearing gloves, use the sandpaper in the kit to sand down the top and sides of the cut edge to remove any sharp areas.

To etch the catchall dish, make a stencil with vinyl and your Cricut machine.  

If you don’t have a cutting machine, you can also use the backing from letter stickers or a storebought adhesive stencil.

Press the stencil firmly onto the glass …

… then generously brush on the etching cream.

Let it sit for the time suggested in the instructions {this one required twenty five minutes} then peel off the stencil and wash away the etching cream.

The result is subtle but classy.

This project is a great way to repurpose glass bottles …

… and it makes a fun, upcycled addition to the top of the dresser {and a great way to corral all that junk!}.

Have you tried bottle cutting?