Minnow Bucket Not for Fishing!

by Grace

4 Materials

So I am just going to come out and say that I am not the original owner of this project idea. I saw something on Pinterest while I was pinning some vintage aqua bottles. ...And then I came across this image. Isn't it simply stunning?

minnow bucket is not for fishing, Check out afterglow com

Check out afterglow-studio.com

I decided to mimic this since I had some vintage bottle collection of my own. I had some clear ones and some aqua/blue/green bottles, but after I saw the pic, I went and got some more aqua ones. In my local peddler's mall, there was a seller who was selling tons of vintage bottles for 1 to 3.00 average per piece. I looked at some crates also, but they were ridiculously expensive whether it was new or old.

Then an idea struck! I have been holding onto this minnow bucket I got for a song at a yard sale for years!

So how did I go about? There was no tutorial about this project, but when I read an article about the shop, there was a word, "glassket". I just assumed it meant that in order for the light to come through, they used some kind of glass bottom. I didn't want to spend money buying some fancy glass. Then I realized I had a piece of plexiglass from a broken poster frame that I had saved(this is why I cannot throw anything away, ugh!! But I am working on it! Lol!)

I traced 2 circles from the bucket.

You then score the plexiglass with a box cutter.

I went over it twice and then I snapped it to cut it. If you have never done this, I want to suggest that you wear gloves.

Use a piece of wood as leverage to score and snap it off.

I then glued 2 together to reinforce it. You can use a pair of strong scissors to cut out any sharp edges, but note that if you don't score it, it will shatter on you when you use scissors...So be sure to trace/score the circles with box cutter.

I got screws and bolts to make supporting "brackets" for the plexiglass.

I fell like I was assembling Frankenstein, lol!

Lay the plexiglass and have fun with your treasure. Ooh~la~la!

I just got this cool glass insulator today, dated from Dec 19, 1871 for 2.00 because it has some cracks!! I don't care. It's the color I want!

I am still working on making a small lamp fixture quite honestly, but I am too excited to see the near completion of this project that I decided to share first. The bright light source you see is my son's phone with his flash light on.

This was before I added more bottles today.

The pic above was taken with a small flashlight inside during the day time.

This is with my son's phone flashlight in the evening.

Simply stunning, is it not?

I tried 2 different arrangements, not sure if you can tell...

I was too anxious to post this so the bottles I got today have not been cleaned. :) I will finish up making a low profile lamp this weekend, but you get the idea. :D

P.S. I got a LED puck light with on/off switch from Lowe's and I think this will work! I am working to somehow secure it at the bottom currently with a piece of wood and empty tin can to house the puck light.

Thank you for stopping by. I hope you are inspired to create something special out of ordinary things you have around the house. :)

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Minnow bucket (Yard sale)
Vintage bottles (Private collection, peddler's mall)
Plexiglass (Screws and bolts)
LED puck light (Lowe's)

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Frequently asked questions

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3 of 4 questions

Suzi on Apr 22, 2017

Do you have to take apart to turn light off and on ?

9
Stacey E. Bowman on Apr 23, 2017

hi there. Where did you get your bottles? I collect them

4
Martha Christian on May 01, 2017

How do you access the light from under the bottles? Or do you have to move all the bottles, insert lite, and return clear shelf and bottles ?
Also wanted to suggest painting any clear bottles you might already have. Just for color.

4

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4 of 125 comments

Mumandp on Jun 19, 2017

Hiya Grace,
How can creating Your very own interpretation ever be considered cheating?!?! I am certain if You asked the individual that inspired You they would feel this way too!! You showed another version that created a magical glow.....The Crate and bottles did not do anything like this!!
Just accept the fact that YOU on Your own.....Showed Us all how this can be done repurposing a unique bucket......this was ingenuity all Your own!!
And, You rocked it......Yeah, like a Girl!!
Grace You must take credit where credit is due!!
You are so creative and have a true gift!!
Please do not stifle this with doubts or guilt!!
You have found Your niche and We too reap the rewards of this through Your inspirational and humble posts......
Have a blessed day and remember You are awesome and amazing so
BE GOOD TO YOURSELF!!
With love,
Michelle
PS It maybe a little while before I can redo My floors as We just redid My kitchen and Dinning room.

1 Reply
- Grace on Jun 19, 2017
  Thank you Michelle. You are very sweet and kind...And very encouraging. I will humbly accept your suggestion and be encouraged then. It sounds like you also are a DIY warrior. Here lies my next project, starting with some serious sanding business. Wish me luck. May all your projects turn out as awesome as you are. ❤️
  
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Mumandp on Jun 19, 2017

WOW!! I love that nothing scares YOU!!
I tried to load some pic.'s of My latest upcycle but the Lithium Batteries need to be replaced. I will send pic.'s I promise.....Remember this is Me though.....So keep You expectations to a minimum!! I picked up an old unloved bedside table for $15.00 it was solid wood. Did a lot of prep. too.
You so inspire Me to be braver!!
With love and gratitude,
Michelle

1 Reply
- Grace on Jun 20, 2017
  Oh this is just very therapeutic for me. Isn't it like that to you? A lot of DIYers say that. :) Let's get it done! With love and gratitude as well, Grace. :)
  
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