Alright, so I’ve been meaning to share this little project I tackled a while back. You know how you see those fancy crystal beverage dispensers in stores or online? Yeah, the ones with the eye-watering price tags. Well, I saw one, liked the idea, but definitely not the cost. So, I thought to myself, “How hard can it be to make something similar?” Turns out, it’s a bit of a faff, but doable, and a good way to spend a weekend if you’re into that sort of thing.
The Hunt for Parts and Pieces
First things first, I needed a container. I rummaged through my cupboards and the garage. Found a decent-sized glass jar, one of those big ones that used to hold pickles or something. Gave it a good scrub, of course. You don’t want your lemonade tasting of old gherkins. I also thought about using a nice glass cookie jar I had, but decided against risking that one first go.
Then, the spigot. This was a bit of a search. I looked online, found a few options. Ended up buying a stainless steel one. Seemed sturdy enough. I’d read some horror stories about cheap plastic ones breaking, and nobody wants a sticky mess everywhere.
For the “crystal” part, let’s be honest, I wasn’t about to go smashing up actual crystal. I went down to the craft store. Found some nice, chunky acrylic beads and some flat-backed glass gems that looked sparkly enough. The idea was to glue them on to give it that “bling” effect without breaking the bank. I even had some old, broken costume jewelry bits I thought might work. Waste not, want not, eh?
My shopping list ended up looking something like this:
- A big glass jar (already had, thankfully).
- A food-grade spigot with washers.
- Assorted acrylic crystals and glass gems.
- Strong, waterproof adhesive (this is important, folks).
- A drill bit for glass, if your jar doesn’t have a hole. Mine didn’t.
Getting My Hands Dirty: The Actual Making
Okay, the drilling part. This was where I was most nervous. Drilling glass isn’t like drilling wood. I watched a few videos online – you gotta go slow, keep it cool with water. I practiced on an old bottle first. Good thing I did, because the first attempt was a bit messy. For the actual jar, I took my sweet time. Made a little dam with putty to hold some water for cooling. Slow and steady, and eventually, pop! A nice clean hole. I felt pretty chuffed with myself at that point, not gonna lie.
Next up, installing the spigot. This was easier. Just followed the instructions – washer on the inside, washer on the outside, tighten it up. Made sure it was snug but not so tight I’d crack the glass. That would have been just my luck.
Then came the decorating. This was the fun bit, but also a bit fiddly. I laid out the jar on its side. Started arranging the acrylic crystals and glass gems around the base and a bit up the sides. Used that strong adhesive I mentioned. It was a bit like doing a very slow, very sticky jigsaw puzzle. I tried to make a pattern, but mostly just went with what looked good. My fingers were covered in glue by the end of it. Had to let it dry completely, for a good 24 hours, just to be safe. Patience is key with glue, I’ve learned that the hard way many times.
Once everything was dry, the big test: the water test. Filled it up with water, stuck a bowl underneath, and waited. Checked for drips around the spigot, around the glued-on bits. Thankfully, it was all good. No leaks! That was a relief, I tell you.
The Grand Reveal (Well, Sort Of)
So, there it was. My very own “crystal” beverage dispenser. It didn’t look exactly like those thousand-dollar ones, obviously. But you know what? It had character. And it cost me a fraction of the price. I first used it for a small family get-together. Filled it with iced tea. It worked perfectly! And it did look quite nice sitting on the table, all sparkly.
A few people asked where I got it, and I just grinned. It’s always satisfying when you make something yourself, even if it’s not perfect. It’s got a bit of a wobble if you look closely at one of the glued-on bits, but hey, that’s just handmade charm, right? It’s been a few months now, and it’s holding up well. Just needs a gentle hand wash after use. No dishwasher for this baby. So yeah, if you’re thinking of a similar project, go for it. Just take your time, especially with the drilling, and don’t expect perfection. It’s more about the fun of making it, I reckon.
