How to Make an Impossible Bottle

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How to Make an Impossible Bottle

This is how to put a complete deck of cards inside a bottle.

Barry Ward

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Step 1 of 27

I recommend using a brand new deck of Bicycle cards. Find a bottle that is wider than the deck of cards, a standard UK milk bottle is ideal.

Step 2 of 27

If you want to attempt to refit the cellophane wrapping at the end, very carefully open it at the bottom using a knife.

Step 3 of 27

Carefully slide the deck out of the bottom of the wrapping.

Step 4 of 27

Next carefully remove the seal label using your knife again. Stick this to cellophane wrapping and keep them both safe.

Step 5 of 27

Next remove all cards. Take note of the way they are facing if you want to put them back in the same way.

Step 6 of 27

Next carefully prise open the bottom flaps of the box with your knife.

Step 7 of 27

Open the four flaps out.

Step 8 of 27

Next apply some rubber cement to the both of the larger flaps where they were originally glued. Let it dry a bit, it should retain enough stickiness to glue them back together later.

Step 9 of 27

Flatten the box out and then carefully roll it diagonally in kind of a helix shape. I find this is the best way to minimize creasing. Twist the box in through the neck of the bottle.

Step 10 of 27

The box is now inside the bottle.

Step 11 of 27

Use a pair of thin knitting needles to carefully open out the box. This may take a while. :)

Step 12 of 27

Next you need a dental tool with hooks or something similar. I've taped on a piece of toothpick to give extra reach.

Step 13 of 27

When you got the box as square as you can, pull the smaller flaps in using your hook tool.

Step 14 of 27

Then pull the front flap down and hold there. Now push the box to the bottom the bottle and outer flap should fold over. With a bit of luck it sit square and stick to the other flap.

Step 15 of 27

Try to flatten out any bends using the hook tool and knitting needles as necessary. Carefully close the lid of the box.

Step 16 of 27

Take a well deserved rest at this point and give the box a while to fully regain it's original shape.

Step 17 of 27

If like me, you still have a bit of a gap under the bottom flap. You might want to add some more rubber cement into the gap. This is where the toothpick end is ideal.

Step 18 of 27

Once you're happy with the re-assembly of the box, you can proceed to inserting the cards one by one.

Step 19 of 27

You need to twist the card so that slips in behind the others. It's quite tricky. ;) After you've done a few it gets easier.

Step 20 of 27

Once the card is in place you'll notice it's quite curved, so you need to try bend the other way by pulling it against the curve of the bottle, until it's fairly flat.

Step 21 of 27

Repeat until you have every card inside. This will take an hour or two or three. Have fun. :) Take a break if you get too frustrated.

Step 22 of 27

Once all the cards are in, flatten them down so they're nice and neat.

Step 23 of 27

Close the lid back down. Use the knitting needles and/or hook tool if required.

Step 24 of 27

Re-apply the seal label using the hook tool.

Step 25 of 27

Flatten out the label so it looks it's never been removed. Neaten up any edges of the box that may have been bent in the process.

Step 26 of 27

And there you have it. A complete deck of cards inside a bottle. :)

Step 27 of 27

If you want a further challenge, you can attempt to refit the cellophane wrapping. I haven't been able to do this do far. Let me know if you succeed. :)

You're Done

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Barry Ward

Yorkshire, UK

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1 Empty Bottle

1 Brand New Deck of Cards

1 Knife

1 Dental Tool with Hooks

2 Knitting Needles

1 Jar of Rubber Cement

1 Toothpick

Some masking tape

A Lot of Patience

I mean impressive

Alyssa James last month

Lol cards are more I'm press ice

Alyssa James last month

You think a pack of smokes would suffice instead of cards?

Aly Riot 5 months ago

I got frustrated just watching the video, but very cool ;)

C Sky 6 months ago

How can i put my phone in a bottle? :)

Camilo Saldarriaga 8 months ago

it's very clever, but excuse my ignorance but what's the point of it? haha good guide to Xx

Annie Hughes 8 months ago

Awesome work!

Abhilash Kärki 8 months ago

Now if you could just tell me how to fit a ship inside a bottle

Victoria Gilkes 9 months ago

Brilliant work. Another mystery solved. ;)

Mark Sheppard 11 months ago

Amazing, I think I would give up half way through.

Kayla Vontess last year

Good job

Damian Skibniewski last year

Great therapy for inpatient people

Kevin Baldwin last year

This is awesome! Magic shop owners are cringing right now. Lol. You could totally start an online shop. But we're happy for the free tut! ;)

Nathan Fincher last year

I saw one for sale on a magic shop site and thought I could make one myself. :)

Barry Ward (author) last year

Dear God man. You are one patient guy. What inspired you to do this?

Zach Faust last year

Wooooow!

P S last year

I figure you don't take the cellophane out, for starters. Am I right?

Roger Moreira last year

Very creative, takes patience though.

Parker Cermak last year

Dan Henson last year

I managed to get the cellophane

Dan Henson last year

You can buy them with a cellophane wrapped deck. Don't know how they manage it. They cost £60.

Barry Ward (author) last year

Is this kinda like the way you slip in a ship as well? Would love to see a guide on that too!

Karl Pokus last year

Wow that's an exercise in patience! Love the guide!

Attila Acs last year

To get it back out you smash the bottle. ;)

Barry Ward (author) last year

Impressive

Camden Goorjian last year

Be first to comment on Step 1.

I'm gonna make one using a Snapple bottle I'm gonna leave the cello on and just cut the cello off the top & bottom of the box so can open both ends of the box then once cards are in box i will replace the cello on the top of the box and use a tiny drop clear glue to hold it

Alfonso Solis 11 months ago

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