Almost ready for a Toast

Things are building up more quickly.  Check out the base and see what you think.

I had to beg for the last couple of bottles around the base and then an amazing thing happened. Hibou's vet arrived with a box of pill bottles.  They will be used on the bowl. 

Here is a sneak preview of the bowl under construction.  oops no that's the stem.  I am still on the lookout for a few HIV medication bottles which will be added to this Cocktail glass.  It's now more fun than washing pill bottles.

AND I now know what works best for washing off the labels.
Step 1 - Soak the bottle in hot water for a few hours, or overnight - most of the paper or plastic label peels or scrapes off.
Step 2. - Rub oil - cooking oil works - on the bottle and leave for several hours, or overnight.
Step 3. - Rub the bottle with a coarse rag until the residue is almost gone.
Step 4. - Use GooGone to get rid of the last little bit of sticky stuff.
Step 5. - Wash the bottles in soap to get rid of the oils.

I then have to prepare the bottles for adhering to the plastic form-work for the sculpture. This means sanding and cleaning surfaces with alcohol.

Another day I'll talk about what i have learned about adhesives for this project.

Getting the completed glass, or parts of same, into a vehicle that doesn't eat gas as it rolls across the country has many people talking and measuring. Cathy's van is just right as far as fuel goes but may be too small.  My truck needs a custom box for it.  So many miles between here and St.Andrew's, and we aren't heading in a straight line.

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