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Courtesy of Liquidated Glassets
Many of life’s special moments are celebrated with a strong drink — but what happens to all those empty bottles after the last drop of wine or liquor is finished?
For some of us, there’s an empty bottle sitting at home collecting dust, whether it’s a bottle of champagne from your engagement or a bottle of spirits from a memorable vacation that you just can’t bring yourself to throw in the recycling bin.
That’s where Rebecca Ingram, founder of Liquidated Glassets, can help. Ingram cuts and repurposes bottles into something functional while still retaining the beauty of the original keepsake.
(Video by Sara Dingmann)
Ingram’s business idea began with a Pinterest fail. “There was this hack that you could wrap this string dipped in nail polish remover, light it on fire and dunk it in cold water and it would cut the bottle. That did not work,” she said with a laugh.
Later, she purchased a bottle cutter that allowed her to cut round bottles straight across, but this was not enough for Ingram.
Ingram said that she does not consider herself artistic but has always liked to solve problems and fiddle with things.
Liquidated Glassets
“I’m from Kentucky and I drink bourbon and whiskey and these bottles are beautiful and I want to be able to cut them,” said Ingram.
She began to experiment and soon she found a way to cut bottles of all shapes and sizes. She quickly realized she had found a niche that nobody else was doing at the time and that there might be a larger market for her work.
In 2018, a friend suggested that she sign up for Art on the Avenue, a multicultural arts and music festival held every October in the Del Ray neighborhood. (This year, Art on the Avenue went virtual.) The show’s deadline forced Ingram to come up with a business name and website, as well as start making enough products to sell. Another friend who is a writer and Alexandria resident, Claire Henline, came up with the clever name Liquidated Glassets.
Liquidated Glassets
After the festival, Ingram said that her business slowed down. As a full-time soldier in the Army and a mom, she simply did not have the time and energy to devote to promoting it. Unlike many small business, the COVID-19 pandemic created a boost for Liquidated Glassets. Suddenly, Ingram found herself working from home with more free time to focus on her art.
Over the past few months, business has really taken off. Friends and neighbors who know what she does will leave empty bottles on her front porch. She has received so many orders that she has an eight-week lead time.
Ingram’s favorite bottle to work with is Blanton’s Bourbon bottles due to their unique design, horse toppers and beautiful labels, which she has figured out how to reverse and even customize. Cigar ashtrays (or spoon rests for those who like to cook!) made from Blanton’s bottles or other liquor bottles have been one of her most popular items.
In addition to ashtrays, Ingram also makes bowls, drinking glasses, vases and other items. With all of the donated bottles Ingram receives, there is no need for customers to provide their own bottles.
For those who have bottles with sentimental value, Ingram is happy to work with customers to design their own personal piece. One of her favorite experiences was working with a local man on a wine decanter his wife had bought for him years ago that had broken. Ingram was able to cut off the cracked neck and create a beautiful and useful piece for him to treasure.
If you had asked Ingram what her plans for Liquidated Glassets were prior to COVID-19, she would have answered that it was a fun hobby. Now, she hopes to turn it into her retirement plan after the Army.
Ingram’s pieces make thoughtful gifts for the holidays, birthdays, anniversaries and Valentine’s Day. If you are considering ordering for the holidays, keep in mind that Liquidated Glassets currently has a lengthy production time.
Visit the Liquidated Glassets Etsy shop at etsy.com/shop/liquidatedglassets.
