Wine Label Fridge Magnets

I like wine art.*  For a few years now, I've taken to saving bottles with interesting labels, and making fridge magnets

 The process is pretty easy, but keep in mind that not all wine labels will easily come off the bottle.  You're going to rip three times as many labels as you peel off whole.  So if you have your heart set on a specific label from a specific bottle from a specific event...

Ok, so here's how we do it.

After you've saved about 1/2 dozen bottles, put them in a bucket** of soapy water. Dish soap is perfect. You'll need to fill the bottles with water too to weigh them down.  Cover your bucket (keep kiddos and critters and skimoykee*** out of your bucket)

Look!  It's Mah Bucket! Mah ucket!

ripped :(

score!!!!

 I tend to let the bottles soak overnight. The next day, pull out your bottles, and carefully peel off the labels.

Remember, there's no guarantee that the label you really wanted will come off easily.  There's a wide range of adhesives and paper qualities used in wine labels, and these have an effect.

Sometimes the label will come off with enough adhesive that you don't need glue, sometimes not.  Either way, the next step is to place the label on the vinyl side of a magnetic vent covers - you can pick these up in packages of 2 or three for pretty cheap at The Big Orange Depot, or bLowe's.

 Place the label flat on the vinyl side of the magnet, weigh it down with a book or cutting board or something, and let it dry out and flatten out.  A couple hours is more than enough.

THEN, if needed, use a glue stick to adhere the label to the vinyl side of the magnet, and cut it out around the label.  Voila!!  You probably want to use a roller to smooth out air bubbles.  I wasn't too diligent about that at first, and it shows in the older ones adorning my fridge...



* Also, wine.
** Love Your Bucket
*** Skih-MOY-kee.  It's like... the ubiquitous dusty flaky gunky crap that floats around the air.. like pollen, or gnats, or dander... You know.  Skimoykee!