How to Make a Lamp Out of LED Christmas Lights
Deciding what to do with your LED Christmas lights after the holiday season can be challenging. You could always store them away for next year, or you could use them to make a unique lamp. By using a mason jar or wine bottle, you can easily make your own LED Christmas lamp. You will not only be using your LED Christmas lights but also recycling glass jars or bottles. These lamps make bright additions to a living-room corner or can be given as gifts.
Things You'll Need
- Drill
- Mason jar
- Glass-cutting drill bit
- Spray bottle
- Water
- LED Christmas lights
- Glass beads or stones
- Ribbon
- Soap
- Wine bottle
- Cork
- Plastic grapes
- Fabric grape leaves
- Florist's wire
- Hot glue gun
- Stone coaster
- Craft knife
Instructions
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Mason Jar Lamp
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1
Drill a small 1/2-inch hole near the bottom of a mason jar about 1 inch up from the base. Buy a glass-cutting drill bit from your local hardware store. Clamp the jar with a woodworking brace while you are drilling. To keep the glass from breaking, have someone spray water on the jar to keep the glass wet the entire time you are drilling. You can also check your local craft stores for mason jars with predrilled holes.
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2
Insert a 20-count strand of LED Christmas lights into the hole you just drilled, leaving the plug end outside of the jar. Pull the lights all the way through. You can use colored or white lights.
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3
Fill the jar will glass beads or stones in colors of your choice. These can be found in your local craft store or in pet stores. The amount you will need depends on the size of your mason jar.
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4
Arrange the lights around the beads until you have your preferred spacing.
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5
Place the lid on the jar. Tie a length of ribbon around the neck of the jar to finish the lamp.
Wine Bottle Lamp
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6
Use soap and water to thoroughly clean the inside of a wine bottle and its cork. Allow the bottle and cork to thoroughly dry before proceeding. You can use a clear or colored glass bottle, whichever you prefer. You can remove the label or leave it if you would prefer.
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7
Insert a 20-count strand of LED Christmas lights into the mouth of the bottle. Leave the plug end hanging out the top. You can use colored or white lights.
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8
Decorate the neck of the bottle with plastic grapes and fabric grape leaves that can be purchased at craft stores in the silk flower department. Use florists wire, which can also be purchased in the silk flower department, to attach them to the bottle's neck. You can use red or white grapes. Tie a ribbon in your color choice around the neck as well.
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9
Use a hot glue gun to adhere a round stone coaster to the bottom of the bottle. This will help stabilize the bottle and keep it from tipping over.
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10
Use a craft knife to carefully carve a 1/4-inch notch out of the side of the cork. Insert the cork into the bottle, with the notch against the cord, and plug your new lamp in.
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