Upcycled candle sticks

It is storming here tonight, and I like to light candles before the lights go out.  I keep candles in the fireplace, since we rarely have the need for a real fire.

Last summer Chelsea and I saw several pins on pinterest about using string and something flammable (I forget now) to break glass bottles, and we decided we should try it out.  After several failed attempts, I choose to buy a generation green bottle cutter instead of giving up.  There were several successes, but still a few broken bottles as well.  We made these candle sticks, glasses, vases and hurricanes.  I will be posting some of the others soon as well as putting some on my etsy shop as well.

We learned a lot from this project:

• It's not as easy as it seems.
• Some labels come off easier than others.
• The cut edges are SHARP!
• Friends who donate empty wine bottles and liquor bottles are good friends indeed!
• That smell was the garbage disposal :)

If you have done similar crafts, what have you done to smooth the cut edges of the glass?  We are still looking for a more efficient method.