Hey, craft fans! We’re recovering from Hurricane Sandy here in New York — here’s hoping you and yours are safe and sound, too. While lights and electricity are something we often take for granted, I’ve come through the storm with a whole new appreciation for power. Even old light bulbs can be reused in creative ways. Take a look at these bright ideas for recycling and turn a dim bulb into a bright, shiny new craft.
SAFETY NOTE: While each craft varies, a good general rule of thumb is to wear safety goggles and gloves when crafting with light bulbs to protect yourself from glass shards. Please read the instructions carefully and craft responsibly!
Thinking about planting some bulbs? How about using light bulbs instead of flower bulbs? Check out this ReadyMade tutorial and turn all your old light bulbs into bud vases for your favorite small flora.
If you like the idea of a bud vase but have a black thumb, try making a light bulb terrarium instead. Once it’s all finished, it’s so low-maintenance. Head over to The Hipster Home to see how it’s done.
Even if a light bulb dies, it can still be used to illuminate a space. If you’re using it as an oil lamp, that is. Go old-school with the directions from Instructables. (It’s recommended that you use paraffin-based lamp oil for this project. And please be mindful around the open flame!) Prefer to have someone else MacGyver for you? There are beautiful examples for sale from RecycledLightCompany on etsy.
I’m a big fan of affordable kids’ room decor, and I think these hot air balloon sculptures from Rook No. 17 would be darling in a nursery. (Hung up high, out of baby’s reach, of course.) You almost can’t tell they’re light bulbs at all. I could also see using these as Christmas tree ornaments. Speaking of which…
Just looking at these easy and super-cute light bulb snowman ornaments puts me in the holiday spirit (despite the fact that we still have Thanksgiving to go)! Grab some glitter and get ready to deck the halls with Kelsey Bang‘s DIY advice.
Which light bulb craft do you think was the most genius idea? And are there any common household items you’d like to see transformed in this column? Leave your suggestions in the comments below!
[...] via: Designer MacGyver: 5 Bright Ideas for Old Light Bulbs Category: Design Tags: Bright, Bulbs, Designer, Ideas, Light, [...]
[...] 5 Bright Ideas for Old Light Bulbs HGTV Design Happens Mon, November 5, 2012 9:30 PM UTC HGTV Design Happens Rate Share (function(){var [...]
Those balloons are precious. I want to make some of those.
I would love to see some ideas for empty pill bottles. It seems like such a waste to throw them away.
I just recycle my pill bottles in the community plastic recycling bins. That way they are being reused and not going to a landfill.
I use my empty pill bottles to hold small nails and screws. they are great and hold just the right amount without having a large surplus. Hot glue one to the lid so you know what is inside….
Good idea, Linda! I'll add that one to the list. (It looks like your fellow readers Dian and Pete have some good uses for them, too!)
I've never heard of a "community" recycling bin, good idea, will check into it. Regarding empty pill bottles, a friend of mine put a picture or xerox copy of pills on the inside of the pillbottle, she then put candy or notes or slips of papers inside with scripture, get well notes, etc. and take them to people in the hospital.
I use empty pill bottles for flower seeds from my garden. Their perfect for morning glory seeds, zinas, marigolds. Wherever I go I always have a emply bottle or plastic bag to "help" de-head flowers I see.
All are great ideas, the terrarium least favorite. Going to try them.
I like all the ideas
what can we do with all of those plastic newspaper sleeves besides pick up dog poop?
Hi Lynn! It just so happens I've already written a post about that: http://blog.hgtv.com/design/2012/06/04/designer-m…
Hope you find some inspiration there.
I use the sleeves to cover my paint roller after rolling the walls—they are great for keeping the roller from drying out while I am taking a break. Sometimes I even place the covered roller in the refrigerator over night—keeps it from drying out and it is ready to use when I am ready to start painting again. It works! Janet
Great idea, I've been using plaastic bags.
What can we make with men's ties?
Men's ties are definitely on my list to tackle, Diana! I'll keep you in mind.
If you sew make a throw or a quilt.
What can we do with used dryer sheets! Or the little bit of soap bars that are left?
Wow, those are tough ones. You just may stump me. I'll add them to the list, Steph!
All those little bits of soap can be melted down and remolded into new bars
Steph, I keep soap shards in an old plastic pitcher with some water covering the soap–the resulting liquid soap "slime" I drizzle around garden plants to keep bugs and bunnies away–I think it's the perfume that makes this work. I also use it as a soap for car washing because it won't remove the car wax. I don't allow it on the windows, though, as I think it would cause waxy streaks.
My niece uses rolled up dryer sheets as kindling
Local food banks can fit 2 -3 rolls of toilet paper in them to give to their clients, but they may not have thought of it, so you'll have to give the creative idea when dropping off.
How about mint tins? I've got some piling up.
Little bits of soap are good for marking clothes when hemming them,marks come out in the wash.
Mint tins are good for straight pins and safety pins or buttons
use tins for mini sewing kits, it would make great gifts for co-workers,
neighors or senior citizen centers.
I use old pill bottles for storing broken sewing machine needles !
I use empty pill bottles to hold change in my purse. I hate digging around for it when I need some. Plus if I have an excess of quarters one bottle holds $9.50!
All my small knitting and sewing notions are kept in pill bottles:: needles, markers, pins, stitch holders.
Those newspaper bags are great for keeping dust off of seldom worn clothing in your closet. Slit one side, leaving the end alone. Find the center of one edge and cut a small hole in the intact edge to slip over the hanger. Smooth over the shoulders of your clothes. You can tape or staple the edge closed if you want, but you don't need to.
The old crystal light containers hold candle tarts, crochect hooks and kringle cans also can hold candle tarts and knitting needles.
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