Showing posts with label light. Show all posts
Showing posts with label light. Show all posts

Christmas DIY Ideas: 5 Ways to Decorate Using Candles and Glass Jars

On: Tuesday, December 11, 2012

I have so many glass jars! Seriously, I have an entire cupboard full of them, most of them from old food items like pasta sauce, salsa and olives. I don't know what to do with them and I never have. While I recycle, my local place doesn't take glassware and I would have to go clear into another county to get rid of them. Which isn't exactly eco friendly when you consider the driving involved to get three hours out of town to the nearly recycling facility that takes glass.

As a result, I tend to take a fair number of them to reuse as water glasses. You know, the big ones you put on the bedside table to combat the effects of winter dryness, and all that. A couple of others have been filled and used as vases, though fresh flowers aren't much of an option now that winter has arrived. My kids have even each used one for their 'rewards jar', which they take a prize from at the end of each week as an allowance for doing their chores.

I have run out of ideas on what to do with these multiplying menaces. I learned how to make my own sauce and salsa in order to avoid acquiring anymore. But what to do with the few dozen still crammed into a cupboard in my kitchen...I could use the space!

This past weekend I sat down and started to really search out things to do with them. The holidays are just around the corner, so it seems like a good time to put them to use. I was relieved to find many struggle with this question, and some pretty cool ideas have come out of upcycling needs. As you would expect, a whole lot of these people had gathered on Pinterest. Man, I love that site.

Here are five of my favorites glass jar upcycling ideas for Christmas (psst: Don't forget to check out our previous glass jar DIY projects: DIY Glass Jar Lanterns and DIY Sun Jars).

1. Table Decorations

Table Decorations

5 Awesome Things You Can Make with Light Bulbs

On: Friday, July 27, 2012

It's amazing how creative some people may get. Imagine you have an old non-working light bulb. Most of us will simply throw it away. Some of us will probably recycle it. And only very few the best of us will turn it into something useful and amazing.

We have covered some awesome light bulb gadgets previously. Let's list them as well a few new ones here.

Recycle Used Bulbs into Light Sculptures

bulb sculptures

It's an awesome idea to turn a broken non-working light bulb into an awesome chandelier. It's like giving them the light bulbs the second chance or the second life!

Light Bulb into a Mini Green House

lightbulb plant

For those who love green houses and indoor gardening, here's a great idea to diversify your routine: cute little mini-greenhouses inside a light bulb!

Light Bulb Vertical Gardens

Light Bulb Vertical Gardens

These would make a great decoration for your garden or yard!

Light Bulb Fish Bowl Tank

Light Bulb Fish Bowl Tank

You will need really tiny fish for it bit all in all this would make an amazing gift idea!

Recycle Old Light Bulbs into Mini Vases

Recycle Old Light Bulbs into Mini Vases

Another cool gift idea, especially for a girl!

Mason Jar Chandelier with Solar Lights

On: Monday, February 27, 2012

If you seriously don't know what to do with your Mason Jars and both the mason jars garden lanterns and mason jar flower shelf are not the option, consider this cool idea:

Creative mason jar chandelier powered by sun!

You will need 4 mason jars, 4 Solar Light LIDS, and some creativity! Gotta love the light and color play!

Mason Jar Chandelier with Solar Lights
Mason Jar Chandelier with Solar Lights
Mason Jar Chandelier with Solar Lights

Tea Strainers into Unique Looking Mini-Lamps

On: Thursday, February 23, 2012

If you love experimenting with lightning, you should be definitely checking out our previous projects, like this dictionary lamp, beer can lamp, decanters lamps and many others!

Today's new idea is the solid one to add to the arsenal: tea strainer lamp create some unique light play and also look really trendy! Something to surprise your guests with! They could also create a cool interior decor element too!

Tea Strainers lamps

Mason Jars into Elegant Garden Lanterns

On: Monday, August 8, 2011

Mason jars work great as upcycling material: they look pretty (no need for extra decor) and are rather thick and reliable (they aren't even afraid of open fire).

Here's a detailed tutorial on creating stylish mason jar lanterns to decorate your garden.

You will need:
  • 1 pint or ½ pint mason jars
  • 2-2 ½ feet of bailing wire per lantern
  • Sand
  • Votive or tea light candles
Tools:
  • Pencil
  • Wire cutters
  • Needle Nose Pliers

Mason Jars into Elegant Garden Lanterns

More cool DIY ideas for garden lanterns

Dictionary Lamp - A Bit of Geekery at Home

On: Thursday, May 5, 2011

I wasn't able to find any tutorial on creating this one but I loved the idea. Look:
  1. A dictionary page for the shade;
  2. A round-bottomed flask for the stand.

The main thing is to remember that a light bulb can get really hot while on, so don't let it be close to the paper.

Enjoy!

Dictionary Lamp

More awesome lamp ideas:

3 DIY Projects to Create Romantic Light on Valentine's Day

On: Saturday, February 12, 2011

Do you like the idea of celebrating Valentine's Day on the cheap... or even for free? Making things for your beloved one is always so inspiring!

Here are three ideas for you to create romantic atmosphere using what you have (and don't need at home):

Create Romantic Light from Beer Can

All you need is one beer can and a candle - plus some imagination! Looks how some creative cutting creates absolutely stunning effect:



Beer Can Romantic Light
A Slide Lamp

This project is harder to implement but it would be surelly appreciated. Besides, you still have a day! (Via Recycled Crafts)


Slide Lamp

A Heart Lamp

This one is for geekiest of us. But if you have time and love playing with LED lights, you'll find the idea great!

Love Lamp

Do-It-Yourself New Year Round-up!

On: Wednesday, December 29, 2010

I am sorry I haven't been updating my blog for a while but I felt obliged to post at least something to round-up this exciting year.

Great winter holidays DIY projects: enjoy!

Plastic Cups Snowman

This snowman will never melt and it will serve as the holiday decoration for your home throughout many years!

Plastic Cups Snowman

Recycle Gift Cards into Christmas Tree Ornament

I am sure it is fun to create too! And depending on your gift card providers, can be various colors!

Recycle Gift Cards into Christmas Ornament

Plastic Bottle Candle Holder

These will come in handy for any winter holiday including st Valintine's day and New Year:

Plastic Bottle Candle Holder

And don't forget these CD candle holders as well!

Drinking Straw Light Fixture

I am pretty sure this one can be used as the holiday decoration!

Drinking Straw Light Fixture

CD Christmas Tree

OK, it is a bit late now but why not save the page for the next year?

CD Christmas Tree

CD Photo Frame

A great last-minute February 14 gift idea!

CD photo frame

CD Disco Ball

Can also be turned into awesome holiday decor!
CD disco ball

LED Lights in a Bottle

Beautiful decor idea for the holidays!
Christmas LED Lights in a Bottle

Ping-Pong Balls into Diffused Party Lights

Wow!
Ping-Pong Balls Lights

Light Bulb Christmas Tree

Made of used light bulbs this tree looks awesome and is absolutely reusable and environment-friendly!

Light Bulb Christmas Tree
I hope you feel inspired! Happy Holidays and see you in 2011!

Decanters Lamps - Simply Awesome!

On: Thursday, May 27, 2010

Decanters Lamps

Do you have vintage decanters stored somewhere in your garage? Or do you love walking around antiques markets and vintage shops? Do you enjoy unique and extra-ordinary interior designs and cool (easy-to-implement) ideas?

In any of the cases, this awesome DIY project is right for you: decanters lamps! Gotta love the light effects and cool look!

What do you think?

Decanters Lamps

(Creepy) Dolls Chandelier

On: Monday, April 26, 2010

dolls chandelier

I am actually not sure which interior design would match such a chandelier. It needs definitely a home with no children ('cause kids will be hurt by its look).

Anyway, the dolls chandelier is our today's find. Many people, many tastes - and I am sure someone will love it!

dolls chandelier

Paint Chips Lamp

On: Wednesday, March 31, 2010

Paint Chips Lamp

Our DIY collection proves it that ANYTHING can be turned into a cool lamp including paint chips.

This lamp is a great example. It is made of paint chips joint together the way the lamp can actually take any random form.

Thus it looks totally cool, innovative and extra-ordinary. Now go figure the way the pieces are joint together!

Paint Chips Lamp
Paint Chips Lamp

Used Ink Cartridge Lamps

On: Friday, March 26, 2010

Used Ink Cartridge Lamps

I don't really think you have many ink cartridges unless you print much. But in case you are in printing industry, there's a recycle-inspiration for you too: recycle them into cool ink cartridge lamps!

Used Ink Cartridge Lamps

Post-it Chandelier

On: Thursday, March 25, 2010

Post-it Chandelier

I am not really sure how safe it is (in terms of keeping paper close to the hot bulb) but it does add some variety to the interior design.

You definitely need to use a flourescent lamp for that to keep things safe...

The author dressed up her old Ikea lamp with some leftover post-it notes:

Post-it Chandelier

A fun mug lamp

On: Sunday, February 28, 2010

If for any reason you don't need your old cup for mug, there is one fun way to recycle them: create a fun lamp (or even a chandelier) using them (I am not sure how difficult it is to make this but definitely looks like fun!)

mug lamp

Drinking Straw Live Light

On: Friday, February 5, 2010

Drinking Straw Live Light

If you liked the previously shared gadgets: drinking straw table lamp, drinking straw floor lamp and drinking straw chair, you will LOVE this one:

the interaction of the material with light is gorgeous, creating a sort of living organism that changes mysteriously to the touch.

Drinking Straw Light Fixture

On: Sunday, January 31, 2010

We used to mention a couple of really cool DIY projects involving drinking straws: drinking straw table lamp, drinking straw floor lamp and drinking straw chair. The best thing about all of them is that drinking straws create beautiful light effects - this is why they all look so awesome.

Here is another cool thing made of drinking straws: a cool light fixture (detailed instructions can be found here):

Drinking Straw Light Fixture

Christmas LED Lights in a Bottle

On: Sunday, December 20, 2009

Christmas LED Lights in a Bottle

Can't wait to enjoy your Christmas celebrations? Do you love when there's plenty of light? Then this cool idea is right for you: Christmas LED lights in a bottle! Isn't it cool?

Christmas LED Lights in a Bottle

Create Romantic Light from Beer Can

On: Monday, December 7, 2009

This is a fun idea for this year Valentine's Day: create a romantic evening atmosphere by tweaking a beer bottle a bit!

Beer Can Romantic Light

Recycle Ping-Pong Balls into Diffused Party Lights

On: Tuesday, October 27, 2009

Ping-Pong Balls Lights

Holidays are coming! And quite in time here's a cool idea to decorate your house to make stand it out from the crowd: ping-pong balls diffused lights!

Well, the author is right: "ping pong balls make great diffusers and look really cool when they are glowing"