Uncork your Creative Side..

So we at Sweetgrass Social have been known to enjoy a glass of wine (or two) and thought we'd devote a blog post to a few of our favorite things: crafts, recycling and, of course, wine.

If you, too, are a wine connoisseur- or just enjoy a glass of vino every now and then- you might find yourself with a lot of empty bottles and corks laying around. Instead of tossing them in the recycling bin, why not reconstruct them into something useful? These projects are super simple and perfect for all skill levels of crafters. They're stunning for every day decorating, but would also be great conversation starters at your next party!

Our very own Meredith created this wreath that also doubles as a beautiful candle center piece.

The wine cork board. (The one pictured below is from WineIntro.) This idea comes from the queen of all things crafty: Martha Stewart. Check out this video with step-by-step instructions.

Okay, maybe you aren't into do-it-yourself projects, but would still like to pass something off as your own creation. Have no fear. For just 15 bucks, you can purchase this trivet kit from Gifted Grape. The kit supplies you with the wood frame. All you need to do is pop your wine corks in and- voila- an adorable trivet!

Have a wedding reception or dinner party coming up? Wine cork place card holders (from Good Housekeeping) are both unique and fun. These rustic, yet elegant place card holders are perfect for any occasion. How cute would these be as cheese labels at your next wine and cheese get together?

Now, unto making use of all of those bottles you have laying around...

These lighted wine bottles (from Mixing Bowl) are sophisticated AND easy on the pocket. All you'll need is glue, a drill, and lights. No need to put away those leftover holiday lights yet- just put them into an empty bottle and you've got a great, inexpensive lamp. These would make great mood lighting for your next romantic dinner or cocktail party!

This eclectic chandelier comes from Oregon Live. The assortment of colors, shapes, and sizes gives the light fixture a fresh look.

If you don't have quite enough patience for the chandelier, consider making these candle holders (from EarthFirst).

Still haven't seen something that you'd like to try? Why not make your own herb-infused olive oil and pour it into a wine bottle as a hostess gift? Or use one as a dish soap dispenser? The possibilities are endless!

We suggest a glass of chardonnay to help get your creative juices flowing.