Create the Best Solar Garden Lights
I LOVE REPURPOSING JUST ABOUT ANYTHING! I ALSO LOVE TO EXPERIMENT WITH LIGHTING BOTH INSIDE AND OUTSIDE MY HOME. AND THIS GARDEN LIGHTING PROJECT COULDN’T BE EASIER.
Create the Best Solar Garden Lights
If you are like me, you have thrown away a few worn ceil fans over the years. I always admired the globes that are in the lighting kit to the ceiling fan, but I never knew what to do with them. Well, now I know! Just recycle them into garden lights. The lights I used actually came from the dollar store.
Supplies Used:
Instructions:
Purchase as many solar stake lights as you have ceiling fan globes. It is not necessary, but I wanted to decorate mine with a nautical theme. I had some lighthouse wine glass rings that made the perfect adornments for my lights. In order to have something to attach them to, I purchased a pack of elastic ponytail bands. I just picked out a couple for the top of each light globe in complimentary colors. Using a pair of needle-nose pliers, I opened up the lighthouse adornment, ran the open end through a few threads on the ponytail bands, and closed up the hook on the lighthouse.
You could go with any theme you wanted with this project. For instance, you could go to a craft supply store and purchase adornments in butterflies, fairies, flowers; the possibilities are endless. I just used what I had on-hand. Just keep in mind that if your lights are exposed to the elements that you pick items that are relatively waterproof.
Another decorating option is to use waterproof, pastel-colored paint to paint the globes in a decorative way. Just keep in mind that the light would not show through very well with dark-colored paint.
Create the Best Solar Garden Lights was such a fun, easy project, and I think it is one I will be doing again. For more crafty fun in the garden, try my Bundt Pan Hand Painted Planter Pot. Need to keep the kiddos busy this summer with a gardening craft project? See the post from The Spruce Crafts for 10 Adorable Gardening Crafts for Kids.
thanks Renea! i too have collected these globes and am always looking for new ideas for them. in the past i have put the small opening on a small plant saucer with a battery operated tea light and set on my fireplace mantel. they are very vintage and go perfectly with my vintage decor. this will be a great addition to my outdoor space! and it’s nice to know how long those Dollar Store lights last, i’ve often wondered!
That’s a great idea! Thanks for the nice comment.
I have one question. Do you glue the ceiling light globes onto the solar lights? If so what type of glue should be used?
Hi Cathy–I did not glue my globes onto the solar lights because I have found that those dollar store solar lights last for maybe 1 season. I did not want to use a permanent adhesive for that reason. It has not been a problem for me; they have never blown off. If you want to use a glue, I would suggest something that is not very permanent such as a few dots of craft glue. Happy repurposing!!!
I am getting ready to make some for our post-Christmas party, so I’m going to use about 3 dollops of hot glue since we live in a windy area in the NC Mountains.
Those solar lights don’t last long but u can replace the batteries in them.That is something I just found out my self.
yes, that is a good tip. And you can also just replace the light for around $1.00.