Trash to Treasure: How to Make a ‘Not Your Typical’ Yard Gnome [aka Bottle-rina]

 

Are you looking for a fun way to upcycle your empty protein shake bottle? Do you have a garden that could use some sprucing up and a little helper eager to join you? Look no further than Edgar’s “Bottle-rina” – a unique and sustainable garden ornament that combines the grace of a ballerina with the charm of recycled materials. This one-of-a-kind yard gnome is sure to impress your neighbors with its innovation and imagination. Admittedly, Meli, Xander, and I enjoy watching bottle-rina spin in the wind while we enjoy our meal outside.

Whether you’re an experienced crafter searching for a fun project, a beginner looking for a creative way to upcycle, or a parent searching for a cute craft to tackle with your kiddo, this guide will give you the inspiration and instructions to create your own “Bottle-rina.” Join us as we transform trash into treasure. Let your imagination run free and bring some magic to your garden with this charming little bottle-rina yard gnome.

What You’ll Need for the Bottle-rina Yard Gnome

• Protein shake bottle. This will function as the bottle-rina yard gnome body. The link provided is the exact bottle Edgar used for this craft. You can buy these shakes on Amazon, Costco, and most grocery stores offer them as individual bottles.
• Garden sticks. Edgar chose these specific garden sticks over regular bamboo skewers because moisture did not alter their shape, thus impacting the bottle’s spinning performance. 
• Double-sided glue dots or adhesive of your choice. A glue gun is a great alternative. 
• Paint  Edgar tested out a few different types of paint. This specific type in the link was his most successful one. Other paint types he tried either did not give him the desired look, didn’t adhere properly to the bottle’s finish, or flaked off after the paint dried.
• Plastic washers ensure bottle-rina spins freely.
• Rhinestone stickers (optional). Use whatever embellishments you want. Meli had a lot of fun with these jewel stickers. 
• Legs and lips pdf template
• Marker (dry-erase marker preferred)
• Scissors and x-acto knife
• Power drill (or a method to make the holes in the bottle and lid)

Bottle-rina Process

To begin, start by removing the label from the bottle. Then, for an easier process, use a dry-erase marker to mark up a template where you plan to cut the bottle. If you use the Core Power bottle, you can use the grooves on the bottom as Edgar did. Then, follow those groove lines until you reach the top horizontal indent line. Finally, make a circular mark on the bottom of the bottle as shown. 

Next, drill a hole in the middle of the bottle’s bottom and one in the center of the lid. These holes should be slightly larger than the garden sticks. Once you have made the holes, insert the garden stick through them and verify the bottle can spin freely.

Next, cut the bottom of the bottle along the circular mark and set this piece aside for later use. Then, use scissors to cut the five lines drawn on the bottle, stopping at the top 1/4 portion to create the flaps. Then, bend the flaps up to flare them out.

Next, draw the arms on top of the bottle near the lid. Make sure to trace them pointing in a clockwise direction to match the flaps’ direction. Doing this will help to maximize the performance of the spinning effect in the wind. Then, cut the arms out with the x-acto knife. Be careful while doing this step. Nobody wants to lose a finger while crafting!

After cutting out the arms, you can bend them up to give them that beautiful and elegant ballerina look. Then, if you’d like, you can use scissors to trim the ends for a more polished look and to remove any potentially sharp edges. Keep in mind that this step is entirely up to you and not necessary.

Next, take each flap and fold it inward diagonally towards the top. Edgar marks two flaps as a reference, but it’s not required. Once you have folded all the flaps, open them out to reveal a fan blade-like appearance.

To close the open area on the bottom, insert the cut-out circular piece with the marks facing inward. Then secure it with your chosen adhesive. Edgar used double-sided glue dots. Ensure the bottom component is centered correctly to optimize the spinning element.

Next, insert the garden stick into the bottle, ensuring the end of the stick is at least half an inch from the lid. Mark the spot where the bottom of the bottle meets the stick. This mark is where you will attach the washer. Place the adhesive of your choice on the marked spot. If you use the double-sided glue dot, roll it up to create a tiny platform for the washer. Then thread the washer through the stick. The washer will enable the bottle to rotate effortlessly on the garden stick.

Next, attach the bottle to the garden stick and put the top washer in place. Apply your adhesive to secure the washer. Then, test the bottle-rina by giving it a spin on the stick to ensure it rotates smoothly.

If you haven’t done so, print out the bottle-rina legs and lips template. Cut out the template and trace the shapes onto your desired material. Then cut out the tracings. Once you have cut out the legs, apply adhesive to the legs, and attach them to the garden stick. Make sure to leave enough space at the knees so they don’t obstruct the spinning flaps.

Now it’s time to paint and decorate your bottle-rina! We went with blue paint and sticker rhinestones. Blue is Melianna’s favorite color, and she was the main inspiration for this project. Enjoy personalizing your spinning dancer to your liking. Embellishing is the prime time to encourage your little one to join the fun since sharp tools are no longer needed.

In addition, Edgar transformed the tamper-evident seal attachment into a stylish blue choker for the bottle-rina. Remember to color the lips and attach them to the head. Edgar utilized a red permanent marker for this task.

You can customize the bottle-rina to your liking and don’t have to follow our design exactly. Feel free to omit the lips and create a face that suits your preferences. You could even opt for a more classic yard gnome look. The design options are limitless!

Below is Edgar’s full DIY video for a step-by-step guide.

Final Thoughts on the Bottle-rina Yard Gnome

As can be seen in the video, transforming trash into a unique and captivating (not your typical) yard gnome – the “bottle-rina” is an enjoyable activity to engage your little one and bring a whimsical element to your garden. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you have proven that creativity knows no bounds when it comes to upcycling. All you need to bring this beauty to life is a protein shake bottle, garden sticks, adhesive, paint, and a touch of imagination. 

We hope you enjoyed this idea and found these instructions helpful. Please share your thoughts, questions, or experience with the bottle-rina yard gnome in the comment section below. We would love to hear your feedback! Check out Super Simple DIY Dad for more exciting and imaginative ideas!