Materials List:

• (2) *Method brand hand soap bottles (“limited edition” bottles work best)
• (2) *5″ diameter wood plaque
• (8) *wood button plugs
• (1) *replacement wine cork
• *fine craft sand
• *1/4″ x 48″ wood dowel
• *gold washi tape
• *clear multi-surface glue
• *spray paint

I was able to find all the materials locally. The soap bottles and paint came from Lowe’s. Using 40% off coupons at Hobby Lobby, I was able to pick up the rest of the materials for around $12. The cork was the only thing that was a little difficult to find. I was able to pick up a replacement wine cork for around $2 in the hardware section of True Value.

1. The first thing I did was to pull the cork off the plastic base, and drill a 1/8″ hole in the center.

2. I emptied the soap from the bottles (and used it in my decorative soap pumps), removed the labels, and washed the bottles thoroughly. The “limited edition” soap bottles work best because the label is printed on a plastic wrapper, instead of printed on the bottle itself.

Once the bottles were dry, I used a small hacksaw to cut off the threaded part of the neck. I then used a paper funnel to fill one of the bottles about 3/4 full of sand.

3. I then inserted the cork and connected the bottles together.

5. With the basic hourglass put together, I began to assemble the frame. I cut a square of paper 2 7/8″ across and centered it on the decorative side of each wood plaque.

6. I marked each corner of the paper, then drilled a 1/4″ hole through the plaque.

7. I took one one pre-drilled plaque and flipped it over. I then glued a button plug over each hole.

7. I cut four, 11 1/4″  lengths of 1/4″ wood dowel with my small hacksaw.

8. Once the glue on the button plugs was dry, I flipped the plaque over.  I applied glue to the ends of each dowel and inserted them into the open holes. At this point, all the wood parts received 2 coats of paint, including the second plaque and four remaining button plugs.

I finally have a traditional looking hourglass to display! I’ve asked everyone who has come over what they think, and no one has guessed that I made it from old soap bottles.

I’m digging the classic black and white scheme, but you could make one with any colors you’d like.

I timed the sand, and it runs for about 45 minutes. If I really cared, I could play around with the amount of sand and the size of the cork hole to get a specific time.