It’s that time of the year when doll lovers are creating their Thanksgiving scenes. As I was shopping in the Dollar Tree the other day I noticed adorable individual sized mini salt and pepper shakers….actually I’ve been on the hunt for these shakers for some time. These shakers have multiple doll play uses. I thought they would make beautiful glassware for dolls. Today I will share with you how to create these glasses!
Remove the shaker’s lid. Keep the lid to use as a doll dish…the cranberries look great in them! You will need to cut off the top of the shaker just below the rim.
I tried two different ways of cutting off the shaker rim. The first way was with a small coping saw (use small teeth). The coping saw did take time and patience, stay steady to get a clean cut. The result was a fairly smooth cut, which you can see on the lid to the left. The second way of cutting was by using a Dremel. This cuts very fast, but does have a melting point. WEAR EYE PROTECTION! The result cut was on the right. The remaining melted pieces of plastic picked of quickly. Both bottoms required standing; first with a 400 and then with 100 grit paper.
A HUGE thank you goes out to my sponsor Lowe’s Home Improvement and rep Amy T for the wonderful Dremel!
Using glass glue, I like Aleene’s, glue a clear pony bead to a 1 inch diameter clear button. Let the glue set. Next, glue another bead and let set. Then finally glue the “glass” on top to create miniature stemmed glassware. I like to wait a bit in between the gluing steps to prevent the beads from sliding around…the stem remains straighter this way.
These are the perfect size drinking glasses for an American Girl doll or other 18 inch dolls.
I decided to place a stemmed glass and nonstemmed glass at each setting. The glasses pair very nicely with the dishes.
Coming up….more ideas for your doll Thanksgiving Table Setting. Craft on!
*Dishes pictured are from Dolly’s Dining Room.
*Silverware pictured is from The Queen’s Treasures.
Hi Brandy – I LOVE these little glasses!
I’m so excited I found the shakers today at my local Dollar Tree.
I want to make the AG wine glasses for my granddaughters tomorrow (3/25/18).
Couple of questions…
Did you try to cut with a heat knife? If so, did it work? (I have a Versa Tool.)
Which Dremel disc did you use to cut?
Did you sand with the Dremel tool or by hand?
Why glass glue for the beads? Would E6000 work equally well?
I was thinking of making stemmed “water” glasses by adding an additional bead. Do you think that would be too tall for an AG table?
Do you think clear Perler beads would work as well as pony beads, but give the appearance of a straighter stem?
Can I “fill” the glasses with resin (or clear glue) to simulate the wine/water?
Thanks so much…can’t wait to get started.
Hi Cheryl! I’m so sorry for the late reply. Our church services always run late on Palm Sunday. I’ll try my best to answer all questions.
1. I did not try a heat knife. I went straight for my Dremel and used the 420 disc. I hand sanded the edges with 100 and then 220 sandpaper.
2. Glass glue works much better with slick surfaces. I have used E6000 and it does work equally well.
3. If adding additional beads I would just make sure each bead layer is fully dry before adding another, you don’t want the wait of the top cup to make the beads slide out of place. I think 3 beads would make a great stem.
4. I think Perler beads are a great choice. To be honest, I’m not they are wide enough to get a good hold and provide balance to the top cup. But if it works, I think it would look great!
5. I would use clear resin for water. Clear glue tends to shrink and you will have to keeping adding more glue to get the fullness.
I’m here if you need more help! Good luck!
Thank you soòoo much for your generous and speedy reply. I will let you know how my experiments turn out. Enjoy a blessed holiday.
I finally found these shakers at Dollar tree last night after looking for them for over a year! I’ve looked high and low, in all different sections of Dollar Tree. I found them in the party aisle with all the crystal looking like plastic plates and stemware. I’ve looked in that area before but never saw the salt shakers. I can’t believe it took this long! But it’s worth it. I only found two sets, but I’ll be on the look out to see if any more ever show up.
! need to make these glasses for my dollies–I have Libby’s glassware that matches!
What Dremel drill model did you get?
I have the Dremel 200. It is currently on sale at Lowes. https://www.lowes.com/pd/Dremel-200-Series-17-Piece-2-Speed-Rotary-Multipurpose-Rotary-Tool-Kit-No-Case/3824377
Thanks, Brandy!
You’re welcome!
I bought these shakers a year ago and made the small glasses. I like the idea of a steamed glass, and I have to make those now. Thanks for idea.
20 years ago the AG bug hit our family with my youngest daughter. Now with 5 granddaughters it’s reappeared! I can’t begin to tell you how much I admire and appreciate all of your creative ideas. Let’s just say that even with company expected tomorrow for dinner, I found the time to go to the Dollar store to pick up these salt shakers! Thank you so much for sharing.
Oh Sally your comment made my day! Have fun doll crafting and have a blessed Thanksgiving!
Wow! you are so creative! I love this idea! I have these little shakers too. 🙂
Thanks, Brandy! My glassware looks just like those shakers, so I picked them up a while ago, but didn’t know the best way to get the top off. Our dollies are looking forward to having their own set of”glasses” soon!
I saw these salt shakers the other day and said to my friend “if only I had an idea of what I could make with these..”! Love it!
I love this. Thank you so much. I had bought a package of those shakers, but, had not figured out what to do with them yet.
The cranberry sauce looks amazing! Did you make it, if so , could you do a tutorial? I just received my order of turkey slices with cranberry sauce on top from. Dolly’s Dining Room. They did a great job.
The cranberry sauce in my picture is also from Dolly’s Dining Room. Last year, I requested a separate serving.
Brandy, these are wonderful!!!! I didn’t read what you used for the bottom of the pony beads, a button?
Hi Linda, yes the base is a 1 inch diameter clear button.
What a clever idea!
Thank you Flo!
Love this idea!
Thanks Madelon!
Soooo cute! I might have to make these sometime!!!!!
Thank you! They were fun to make!
I have looked forever for these. So cute.
Connie, these shakers are seasonal items at the Dollar Tree. They should be in stores now.
These are awesome!! Plus I have some of these shakers….somewhere!!!
Thank you! 🙂