FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
ABOUT GLASS
Where do y'all get your bottles?
We started out saving every wine, soda, and beer bottle we could and went dumpster diving for more when we needed them. Now, after many years of doing this, we also get frequent donations from friends, family, and local businesses. Do you have some bottles that you think we might need? Send us a message on our contact page and we’ll let you know if it’s something we could use.
How do you remove the paper labels from wine bottles?
Soak in water for 24 hours then scrape the label off with a wooden scraper that won’t scratch the glass. We use vinegar and sometimes goo-gone (if necessary) after that for those really stubborn labels that just don’t wanna come off.
How do you cut glass bottles?
After removing the labels we score the bottles and then alternate pouring hot and cold water over the score line to “cut” the glass. We then use a series of abrasives to smooth and shape the glass before polishing it with a cotton buffing wheel.
Do y’all do custom cut bottle orders?
Yes we do! Though there is no way for us to 100% guarantee that your bottles will make it through the cutting/smoothing process, we can say that we’ve had very good luck with sentimental bottle projects. Send us a message on our contact page and tell us a little bit about your custom project.
ABOUT WOOD
Where do you get your tree wood?
We live in Texas where the weather can be crazy. After any one of the major thunderstorms that tend to hit our area, there are always limbs and sometimes entire trees in our neighborhood that have fallen due to the high winds. We find those fallen guys that would be put out on the curb for trash collection and we take ‘em home to make beautiful, useful things out of them.
How long does it take to carve a wooden spoon?
A long time! After we collect the fallen tree wood, we take it back to our workshop where we debark the wood, cut it into slabs, and seal the ends to prepare for a drying period that lasts at least six months. This slow drying insures that the wood will stay in one piece and (hopefully!) not crack. Once the moisture content of the wood is down to about 15% we can start carving. From start to finish, the carving process usually takes about 2 hours.
Well, how do you finish a spoon once it’s carved?
After the spoon is carved we use a series of abrasives to remove the tool marks and sand the wood to a silky smooth finish. Then each and every utensil is hand oiled with food-safe raw linseed oil and left to cure for two weeks. Finally, after the oil has had time to cure, we move to a cotton buffing wheel where every piece is buffed to a high shine with 100% plant-based wax. If the piece passes inspection, it is branded with our logo and ready to ship out.
How do you care for a wooden utensil?
We recommend hand washing and towel drying immediately after use. Do NOT soak! Our wooden utensils are NOT dishwasher safe. Soaking and dishwashers can ruin your utensil. Lightly oil with raw linseed (flax) oil when necessary.
Can y’all make something from my fallen tree?
Maybe! We’ve done lots of custom/sentimental tree orders and we would love to work with you. Please keep in mind that the process takes some time and cannot be rushed. Send us a message on our contact page and tell us a little bit about your custom project.
GENERAL FAQ
Where are you located?
We are proud to live and work in downtown Denton, Texas.
Where'd you learn how to do this?
We just started out doing it and learning from our mistakes. Put simply, good old fashioned trial and error.
How long have you been doing this?
Christmas 2012 was the first time we cut bottles into drinking glasses for our friends and family. They were so BAD! They were jagged and dangerous and definitely not awesome, but we knew that was the start of something. By the spring of 2015 we were working on the ideas that would become Handmade Recycled and we’ve been going ever since!
Do you do other things besides this?
Of course we do! Some of our other passions include drawing, painting, making music, rescuing stray animals, cooking vegan food and spending time with friends and family.