Bourbon Bottles Find New Life
Written by Kaitlin Hill | Photos by Gracie Savage
Poet, essayist, and civil rights activist Dr. Maya Angelou once said, “You can’t use up creativity. The more you use it, the more you have.” For those in Hunt Country — like the team at Middleburg Life — who have had the good fortune of working with Hamilton-based photographer Gracie Savage, this saying rings especially true of her many talents and ability to find and capture the beauty in all things.
Her latest endeavor is no exception.
When her husband, Dan, started to collect and enjoy bourbon in 2022, Savage’s creative wheels began to spin. “I started setting aside bottles in the garage and told myself one day I was going to turn some of them into lamps,” she says. “I loved the idea of giving an item a second life or another purpose.”
She continues, “This past summer I finally reached out to our family friend Tom Santmyer and asked if he could show me the ropes. Tom and his wife, Debbie, own Village Antiques.… Tom had made a beautiful lamp for me out of a wine bottle called ‘Grace’ years prior and I always looked at it on my desk in admiration.”
The process of transforming a liquor bottle into a lamp, Savage explains, starts with drilling a hole into the bottom of the bottle. Easier said than done. “This can take a while depending on the bottle thickness, and you really have to drill carefully. With some of the bottles, it has actually taken me 20 to 30 minutes to drill the hole.” Then comes the hardware. Savage cuts a metal rod to match the length of the bottle, attaches it to the base of the bottle, and then fills the bottle with sand. Next, the light socket and light bulb are installed.
“I loved the idea of giving an item a second life or another purpose.” –Savage
While one might think the drilling and electrical wiring are complicated, the final touch might be the most taxing. Savage says, “One thing I have found is that finding lampshades is difficult because they need to be the right size and shape to work with the bottle — there’s such a wide variety of bottles!” She continues, “[Sourcing] quality lampshades that are sold individually and that are the right size and shape for a bottle is tricky!”
Despite the challenges, there is — literally — a light at the end of the tunnel. When asked what the most rewarding part of the process is, Savage says, “I would say switching the light on after putting everything together, especially since a crucial part of the process is properly assembling the light socket.” She adds, “When I have gifted them, seeing the reactions of friends and family members is also very rewarding. People really appreciate something handmade!”
She is currently working through her own collection, but for those looking to light up their own lives with a special bottle, Savage does take commissions. “If someone has a certain empty bottle at home and wants it turned into a lamp, I am happy to do that for them,” she shares.
“When I have gifted them, seeing the reactions of friends and family members is also very rewarding.” –Savage
Whether a bourbon lover, recycling enthusiast, or just someone looking for that special piece to complete a room, Savage welcomes anyone to reach out directly to secure one of her bourbon bottle lamps.
“I look forward to putting smiles on people’s faces when they get one in their hands, find the perfect place for it in their home, and know that it was put together just down the street or in the next town over from them.” ML
For more information from Gracie Savage, you can connect with her by emailing graciewithersphoto@gmail.com or by visiting @graciew.photography on Instagram.
Published in the October 2026 issue of Middleburg Life.