The idea progressed over a series of months. First it started with a clear glass bottle, similar to a soda bottle. Second, I purchased some red bottle caps. I could see the idea taking shape, but whatever was I going to fill this bottle with?? Wracking my brain, it hit me...bath salt!!
After a few online vendors quoted me HIGH prices for their bath salt, I hit the web. After an hour of googling, I discovered some home made bath salt recipes. This avenue provided me the customization of colors, fragrances, ect....it was going to be perfect! The recipe was simple, one part Epsom salt, scented oil, color dye, and the optional baking soda (for extra softness to the skin). Oh...and I was going to go all out, no expenses spared, throw in all of the ingredients!
So, after a few weeks of brewing in the kitchen, and my mixer on full blast for hours the salt was done! I added the custom labels to my bottles and I was ready for production. With the assistance of my bridesmaids (and a few bottles of wine), we were off. My girls did such a great job...they even filled them to the very top. Then, put their finishing touches of the shiny red bottle cap pressed firmly down on the bottle. They were a piece of art! Now, all I had to do was wait for the wedding to unveil my creation!
The wedding came and went in a flash (as it always does). My guests grabbed their bottles before our big exit, and they were a hit!
(early warning sign) A few days after we returned from the honeymoon, my husband was at the computer when he heard a loud 'BANG'! He rushed into the living room, where the extra bottles were being stored, and noticed that one had exploded!! The cap had blown off and salt was all over the room. Taken back by the surprise he called me with the story. After a few short minutes of problem solving....Mr. Wizard and Bill Nye realized the mistake. I had put OIL, SALT, and BAKING SODA, in an AIR TIGHT COMPRESSED BOTTLE!! Anyone that has had 3rd grade science knows that this can not be a good combination.
(Bottles go flying) It was not long at all before I started receiving frantic calls about exploding bottles! Friends, family, co-workers were all calling with stories about their exploding favors. Some of them were panicked, others thought it was funny, and others were complaining about the damage that I had caused in their homes. I can just imagine my favors blowing up all across town, ravaging homes, and hurting innocent people. Just as any manufacturer would, I issued a recall. I sent out NUMEROUS emails warning my guests about the dangers of their 'mementos'. I provided instructions on how to handle the favors, how to remove the pressure, dispose of the bottles, ect. It was quite the ordeal for several weeks as I lived in fear that I may have blown out a loved ones eye or killed a pet hamster.
Slowly as weeks passed, the calls were coming in less frequent (Thank God, or I was going to have to buy a hot line #). I got clean bills of health from my guests, and all seemed to be forgotten. I made sure that my husband took care of our remaining left overs, to which he almost went blind from the salt blowing in his face. Thankfully, we do still have a small memento of a turquoise blue dent lingering in our ceiling from the ordeal.
(These pictures were provided from my photographers; Scott and Tem Photography, after the bottles blew up in their home.)
