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How to Make Breakaway Bottles for a Movie

Some incredible things happen in the movies: Buildings blow up, people are shot and come back to life, and glass bottles seem to break into a million pieces without their shards injuring anyone nearby. How is that? It's because those glass bottles are really sugar glass or fake glass, and anyone can make it.

Things You'll Need

  • Sugar
  • Liquid glucose
  • Water
  • Old pot
  • Bottle
  • Modeling clay
  • Oven and stovetop
  • Superglue
  • Popsicle stick
  • Razor blade
  • Paint
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Instructions

    • 1

      Create a mold of a regular bottle. Form modeling clay completely over the bottle, making sure to get in each groove and crevice. Depending on the modeling clay you choose, you will have to let it air dry for several days or place it in an oven or kiln to harden. Once dry, carefully take a razor blade and cut the mold in half so you are left with two half-molds of a bottle. It will be difficult to cut the mold, so take your time and be careful not to cut yourself with the blade.

    • 2

      In an old saucepan or pot, bring one part water and one part liquid glucose to a simmer. Slowly stir in 3-1/2 parts sugar. Stir the mixture until it has a thick, molasses-like consistency but is throughly mixed together. Immediately get out the two bottle molds.

    • 3

      Pour the sugar-glass mixture into the molds. Smooth the edges and clumps with a popsicle stick. Make sure the mixture reaches all edges and crevices. If the mixture drips over the edges of the mold, wipe clean with a damp towel.

    • 4

      Leave the molds out in a cool area that is away from direct sunlight. When dry, put down a towel for the molds to fall into. Pick up one half-bottle mold and gently press it out. If you have trouble doing this, try sliding your fingernail under the edges of the mold to lift them up. Press out the other mold and allow it to fall and sit on the towel (so it doesn't crack or break on a hard surface).

    • 5

      Superglue the edges of the sugar-glass bottles. Press the bottles together along their creases and hold them in place for several minutes to make sure they stay in place. If glue escapes from the crevices, wipe it down or carefully chip it off when it dries. Then paint the bottle so it looks like the actual bottle. That's it!

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