Upcycled Art: Transforming Bottles into Underwater MasterpiecesWriter:

In a world where waste is a growing concern, creativity can shine through. Upcycling bottles and repurposing them into beautiful artistic lamps is a fantastic way to turn everyday items into stunning pieces of art, saving what is otherwise trash and turning it into treasured and unique pieces. One of the most accessible and interesting materials for this purpose is bottles. Liquor bottles come in a wide variety of shapes, colors and sizes. How many times have you finished a bottle of spirits and thought "this is a beautiful bottle. What can I do with this? With imagination and effort, these bottles are transformed into beautiful masterpieces.

Cally has been living and diving in Grand Cayman for 40 years and has taken her love of the sea and all it's creatures and brought them to life on these exquisite bottle lamps and candle lights. "I always wanted to try decoupage, but not in the traditional way. Using photos has a more personal and meaningful effect and gives me unlimited access to the wonders of nature, especially Cayman's underwater world".

I began this journey during the Covid lockdown, which was extensive in Grand Cayman. Deciding to look through and edit my thousands of photo files on my computer, I got the idea to use some of them for my decoupage efforts. From birds, to flowers and finally to underwater images, nothing was off limits. My good friend and excellent underwater photographer, Don, has helped with his stunning images. I call him the Turtle Whisperer as he can capture a turtle's expressions as if having a conversation with them. My work has evolved over the years since then and brought me to this point where I feel confident in showing you what I've accomplished.

The Beauty of Upcycling and Repurposing

Upcycling is more than just recycling. It involves taking something that is considered waste and giving it a new life. Repurposing what otherwise might be discarded not only reduces waste but also encourages creativity.

By upcycling, we create unique pieces that preserve and exemplify the beauty of nature, the sea and all its creatures. It repurposes "trash" into "treasure" and adds a mystical element to any decor.

By using bottles, we create art that is not only beautiful but also eco-friendly. This practice helps reduce the amount of waste that ends up in landfills and oceans.

Why Choose Bottles?

Bottles are everywhere. They are lightweight, easy to find, and versatile. But bottles aren't the only canvas for upcycling art. Used yogurt jars, candle jars, wooden boxes...well just about anything can be upcycled and turned into a work of art and/or a functional piece, such as a night light, candle or storage jar.

The Environmental Impact of Upcycled Art

Creating art from bottles and other items has a positive impact on the environment. Here are some benefits:

Reduces Waste: Upcycling helps divert waste from landfills and oceans.

Promotes Awareness: By creating art from waste, you raise awareness about pollution and inspire others to think creatively about waste.

Encourages Sustainable Practices: Upcycled art encourages people to consider sustainable practices in their daily lives. Many of my bottles are given to me by friends and others that know what I do. Rather than throw that bottle into the recycling bin, or even worse, the trash bin, they reach out to me to repurpose these items.

Trash to Treasure

Imagination takes me anywhere there is a story to tell. Not only do I use underwater photos, but also get inspiration from the vastness of nature's bounty. Butterflies, flowers and even chicken's which are numerous in Cayman and beautiful to look at, are also subjects of my bottles and candle jars.

Before and After

Final Thoughts on Upcycled Art

For me, upcycling is a wonderful way to express creativity while making a positive impact on the environment. By transforming bottles into unique masterpieces, I let my imagination run rampant and present images that you may not see in the wild but can bring into your home to accent your living space and add a bit of magical ambience.