How to Cut a Wine Glass and Make Goblet Lights

If you’ve been following the blog for a while, you’ll know how much we love repurposing broken or cut wine glasses. They can be recycled into so many different things. The stems are perfect for adding a touch of elegance to a planter or making this dreamy candleholder, while the bowl portion can be turned into a fantasy inspired hourglass or cloche. And when you pair the bowl with a candleholder, you can make these gorgeous goblet lights.

Aren’t they just stunning?

Not bad for a few broken wine glasses right?!! 😀 And they’re even more impressive when the lights are turned off.

Now I know not everyone has a collection of broken wine glasses lying around. So in this tutorial, I’ll show you how to make those goblet lights and how easy it is to cut the stem off a wine glass too.

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What you Need

• Fairy lights
• Silver and gold spray paint
• UHU Tac ProPower or Extra Sticky Putty
• Tall candleholder
• Broken stemless wine glass.

In my personal opinion, that beautiful curve where the glass bowl or cup meets the stem creates such a lovely profile on the finished goblet. Having a small cut-off stem also makes the goblet lights more stable. And cutting a wine glass stem off literally takes a few seconds with the right tool.

Feel free to use a stemless wine glass to make the goblet lights if you prefer.

How to cut a wine glass

To remove the stem from a wine glass, you can either drop it and hope for the best or use a multi-function power tool with a diamond cutting blade. I used my Dremel. It’s by far the fastest and most reliable way to detach the stem from the glass 😀 Please remember to wear your safety gear.

You can watch this short video to see how easy it is.

If you don’t have one of those handy little power tools, you can score the top of the wine stem with a glass cutter. Try to score in a straight line around the stem a few times. Carefully grab the stem in one gloved hand and the bowl in the other. Push down firmly and the stem should pop right off. Use 50 to 80 grit sandpaper to level the cut stem.

How to Make Wine Glass Goblet Lights

Right, now that your stemless wine glasses all prepped and ready, we can turn them into goblets. Not the drinking kind mind you 😉 We’ll be popping some fairy lights into these to create a magical display.

Creating a glowing mercury glass effect

The beautiful glowing colors on the bowl portion of the goblet are created by painting the inside with two metallic colors; first silver and then gold. It’s kinda like making faux mercury glass, but this is the high-end glowing version.

Before painting the wine glass wash it first in warm, soapy water to remove any dirt and oily residue. Rinse and let air dry. Dip a paper towel in some rubbing alcohol or white vinegar and wipe the inside thoroughly to make sure it’s squeaky clean 😉 Since we’ll only be painting the inside of the glass, use what you have on hand to mask off the outside. I used cling wrap and painter’s tape. The cling wrap makes it easier to see what the mercury glass effect will look like while you’re painting.

To see how to create that gorgeous effect, please watch the quick video below. This is definitely one of those techniques that are easier to explain visually.

Let the paint dry completely before popping any water drops that may have been captured under the paint layers with a pin.

Don’t you love the random mix of silver and gold on the glass. But the real magic happens when you pop some fairy lights inside.

Isn’t it gorgeous?

Adding the candleholders to create a goblet

There are two ways to add the stemless wine glasses to the candleholders; permanently with glue; or temporarily with sticky putty 😉 I went the temporary route. Roll some sticky putty between your fingers and squish it into the hole where the candle would normally go.

Place the stemless wine glass inside and trim away any excess putty.

Pop a few fairy lights inside …….

…… and you’re all done. The goblet lights look lovely on their own.

or as a pair.

I placed my goblet lights on a bed of faux Spanish moss.

and added a large golden shell, just coz it’s so pretty 😀

I love the way the fairy lights just peak through that faux mercury glass paint effect.

And they are breathtaking when the lights are switched off.

If you like the idea of recycling a broken wine glass to make goblet lights, don’t forget to pin the tutorial for later.

Sharing is caring 😉

Oh and if you’re looking for some of the things we used, we’ve got you covered Disclosure: Clicking on the links below, means we may receive a commission from Amazon. But don’t worry it won’t come out of your pocket, and it helps us make more amazing crafts to share with you 😉

And if you prefer to buy rather than DIY, then maybe these beauties will appeal.

And as always, wishing you a wonderful, crafty week filled with lots of love. Thank you for popping in for a visit.