Tuesday, June 15, 2010

Dressed Up Solar Light

I live in the woods, a half a mile off of a paved road…and it’s dark…no street lights here! So I love the idea of solar lights in my yard and garden. I don’t like this style:
Westinghouse Solar 8-Piece Gladiator Garden Light Set, Bronze
But these styles get pricey quickly:
Westinghouse Solar Lighting Mediterranean Low Voltage Non-Solar Landscape Light in Black  GamaSonic GS-35 Globe Solar Light
So I was inspired by Tracey’s post on solar lights to try making my own dressed up solar light. I started with a tea light holder from the Dollar Tree, a crackled glass “bowl” from the thrift store and a little glass “thingy” that I picked up at the thrift store, knowing that I could use it for something! Then I got a $3 solar light from Wal-mart like the ones pictured above. From here, you’ll have to take my word for it ‘cause all the beginning pictures along with most of my gazing ball pics were in the folder that was corrupted on my camera card. :(
The “base” is the Dollar Tree tea light holder. I sprayed it with ORB paint. I took the plastic stake out of the bottom  of the solar light and then cut off all but the last 1-1/2” of the metal post.
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I glued it down into the tea light holder. Then I took the little glass “thingy” and spray painted the inside of it with ORB. Spraying the inside of glass give it a unique effect, this almost looks like metal!
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When it was dry, I glued it upside down to the bottom of the glass bowl. Then I set that down over the solar light and the glass rested nicely in the tea light holder. The crackle effect keeps the solar light from jumping out at you during the day, and it has really cool effects at night!114_1597
Not the best pictures, I know. :-( But I am happy with my little light! It is going to find a home somewhere in my garden! Probably on the table I haven’t finished yet! LOL The ORB paint is not rated for outside, so tomorrow, I’m going to finish it off with a clear spray sealer. I have a couple of variations on this that I am going to try over the next week.
Tomorrow I’ll let you know about all of the giveaways and their sponsors for the garden party! I’m so very excited!

I'm going to take my little light to visit some of these fun parties. Won't you come with us? There are always lots of fun things to see and people to meet!

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17 comments:

  1. Sharon..I love this! And your light turned out beautifully!!
    Thanks for sharing the "how-to's"!
    Hugs
    SueAnn

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  2. Thats AWESOME!! You go girl!!

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  3. I just brought those exact same solar lights to put around my new landscape. What a clever idea to dress them up. I will have to shop around for those tea light holders and globes to dress them up. Looking forward to the garden party next week.

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  4. Hi! I stopped by to tell you I highlighted your faux stone pot from a few months ago. And now I find this wonderful tutorial on a solar light.

    I would've never thought to make one! Wow! Thanks for the great inspiration. This is bookmarked too!

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  5. This is SUCH a good idea! I've never seen anything like this -- you did a wonderful job!!

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  6. I love your light and now I have to make some! Such a unique combo of items and you've made it very special. Love how you made this utilitarian light look chic. I also saw the post Tracy's post on solar lights and now yours has given me a kick in the pants to get going. Thanks!

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  7. This project made me heart go pitter pat. Well done.

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  8. I think that your light turned out better than mine. Yours is very unique. Thanks for letting me know you made it and the mention. I need to put you on my side bar so I don't forget to visit more often.

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  9. Now I get it! Looks fabulous, dahling!

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  10. Super fancy and very cool idea! I will feature this at somedaycrafts.blogspot.com. grab my "featured" button.

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  11. It came out great! What a neat idea!

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  12. Following your blog now from Social Parade. Can't wait to read more!:)

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  13. Great idea...I don't love those outdoor lights either, but who wants to pay a ton for the nicer ones? Love it.

    Thanks for linking up to Fab Friday this week.

    Cheers!

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  14. Hi! I just wanted to stop by and say congrats! I didn't have time to comment when I was judging the CSI entries last week. You did a great job! I love your project because I think the solar lights from the DS are kinda cheesy as-is, but you made them really sculptural and made them look more expensive! I love how you combined the candle holder and the glass globe, too. You would never look at those and guess what they originally were!

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  15. That turned out super-duper cool!!

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  17. With energy prices on the increase, several customers are considering energy choices. One simple thanks to use energy in your house is to switch a couple of of your ancient outside lights with solar lights. These lights have several benefits, and are wide commercially out there.

    Solar Post Pole Lights

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Thank you for your visit. I appreciate your comments, they keep me inspired! Feel free to drop by anytime!