I have long held a fascination with bottles. When I am out seeking treasures in 2nd hand shops, I find a lot of bottles that are less than perfect, but perfect for mosaicing. It gives new life to old scratched or chipped bottles. I clean and sterilize each bottle so they can actually be used.

When I started this piece, I researched Absinthe. It was pretty interesting, the history, the seedy image, the forbiddeness - all things that make me want to try it. Unfortunately, you can't buy it in the U.S.A. If you get the chance, hit the wikipedia and read about it.

This bottle was in fair shape with few scratches or dings. I began by painting the exterior with Pebeo paints with a custom mixed color of a yellowy-green. Absinthe has been called the "green fairy" and that gave me the direction when I mixed the base color for the bottle. I then found copyright free pictures of Absinthe related art and applied them with silicone - placing clear plate glass over the images. Next I used both stained glass (the dark green iridescent lines running through the bottle) and tempered glass from recycled shower doors around the images. I grouted with a white grout tinted with green and yellow pigments.

Part of the top is the original and is a clear dark green square. I attached the yellow green glass finial thingy which was part of a broken bottle top using epoxy resin and surrounding it with gold seed beads.

This bottle is currently available at: Phoenix Gallery. 916-447-1632 1801 L Street #211 Sacramento, CA 95814 (on 18th between K & L st.) Sold