FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Hardly anybody who talks to Mr. Hoda asks question about the construction of the models in the bottles or about Mr. Hoda itself. Mr. Hoda wrote down frequently asked questions and you can read the replies here. If you have got another question on which you don't find reply below, you can visit some exhibition or you can contact Mr. Hoda via e-mail.
What was your first model in the bottle?
I go to the pub with my friends sometimes. One of them said that he had seen corkscrew inside the bottle. We began to discuss how it was possible. I said to them that before they found the solution I would be able to make the bottle with the corkscrew inside. Next day I made my first model in the bottle – corkscrew inside the bottle.
How do you look for inspiration?
My friends and relatives have got a lot of ideas. Plenty of models in the bottles are made as birthday presents. In the bottles there are often motifs of hobbies and free time activities. It is possible to construct almost everything to the bottle but it requires time and patience.
When did you begin made models in the bottles?
I made my first model in the bottle in 1991.
Had you made models before?
Yes, when I was a child I devoted much time to aeroplane modelling. During my military service I made a lot of models of the army vehicles and the aircraft for the needs of the army. Naturally, all of them were without the bottles.
Where do you look for the bottles?
My friends often give me the bottles. Sometimes I find the bottle with the interesting shape in the container. I rarely buy the bottles with spirit. It this case I choose them by the shape not by the contain.
How is the model in the bottle made?
Every part of the model must be constructed to pass through neck of the bottle, usually with diameter 17 mm (0,67").
Do you know somebody who has got the same hobby?
Not personally. On the Internet I have found modellers who construct mostly the ships into the bottles. One modeller from Russia constructs spaceships.
Which materials do you use for construction?
Wood, plywood, skewers, toothpicks, pins, thin wires, paper, threads. At the models of the motorcycles the wires at the wheels are made with cooper thin wire with the average of 0,16 mm (0,06").
How much time does construction of the model in the bottle usually take?
It depends on the difficulty of the model. Construction of the difficult model e. g. motorcycle takes about 50 hours.
How many models in the bottles have you constructed?
I don't know exactly. When I construct models in the bottle as a present for somebody I usually construct the same model for my collection. In my collection I have got about 200 various models.
Do you know where in the world are your models of the bottles?
Yes, because my friends and relatives have got their friends almost all over the world. The first bottle was given to pigeon breeder living in Poland, next bottle with corkscrew is in Italy, rural architecture in Belgium, Australia, France and USA, fiddles and school blackboard in the United Kingdom, train in Germany and caravan in USA. Ice hockey goaltender in the bottle is in possession of Roman Turek, winner of Stanley Cup with Dallas Stars.
Have you got an apprentice?
No,
I haven't got an apprentice. My son is skilful and he has
constructed a few models. I admire his precision but
he is limited by the lack of time.
Have you got any wishes as for your hobby?
I have seen on TV a bottle approximately 140 cm (55") high with the diameter about 80 cm (32") that was made in Australia and filled with spirit on the occasion of some anniversary. I would like to have the bottle like this and the bottle would not have to be full of spirit. I would try to construct the ship Santa Maria in the bottle like this. But there is one small problem. The bottle would have to be transported by cart.