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DIY for Homeowners

How to DIY Outdoor Christmas Balls

12/8/2015

7 Comments

 
by Vicki
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Outdoor Christmas Balls. MotherDaughterProjects.com
After Christmas last year I found this pin. I knew I had to make it. I’ve been on the hunt for glass globes all year. They are a cheap find at yard sales & thrift stores. As luck would have it, while I was working in the donation center at the living harvest thrift, 7 matching globe fixtures came into the center. My fellow volunteer kind of looked at me crazy when I said I would take all seven. We recycled the metal parts & I bought the globes. 
Materials:
  • Glass globe, clear, white, or textured
  • Metal tuna/chicken cans
  • Looking Glass & sliver metallic spray paint
  • White String lights
  • Pine cones/rocks (optional)
  • Large flower pot

Steps:
  • Throughly clean the glass globes inside & out, let dry
  • Spray the inside with Looking Glass paint to give globes a mercury glass look
  • Spray cans with silver metallic paint, let dry
Outdoor Christmas Balls. MotherDaughterProjects.com
Outdoor Christmas Balls. MotherDaughterProjects.com
Outdoor Christmas Balls. MotherDaughterProjects.com
Putting it all together:
  • I laid a large flower pot on its side & positioned the glass globes as if they were tumbling from the pot. Two globes got lids (I only had two cans to make lids—the rest will be capped next year!)
  • The globes were kept in place with pinecones & mulch (rocks could be used). My flowerbed slopes just slightly so I needed to use the pinecones to keep everything in place.
  • Once positioned, I stuffed lights into each, using two strands for the display

That’s it—I love the look & am so pleased with it. 
Outdoor Christmas Balls. MotherDaughterProjects.com
Outdoor Christmas Balls. MotherDaughterProjects.com

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7 Comments
Maggie
12/12/2015 11:57:48 am

How do you attach the tuna can lids?

Reply
Vicki
12/12/2015 10:11:57 pm

They are not attached with anything. Because the wiring of the lights pass in and out of the openings the cans are kept in place due to the tight fit once the cans are gently place over the globe opening. Care should be taken not to overly bend or damage the light strings.

Reply
Kat
1/6/2016 10:43:41 am

I have used these for a few years, except instead of a string of lights, I use an outdoor solar light. I secure the light with outdoor silicone glue and hang with wire wrapped around the rim forming a handle. No electricity is needed since the solar lights charge all day.
Another way to use these globes is to glue the solar light inside the globe bottom again using silicone around the edge of the light. Then they can be placed around the yard and in the garden on a flat surface or a flower pot. The solar panel still charges through the glass. They cast a lovely soft light and resemble floating moons.
I purchase my solar lights at Dollar Tree. If you don't use too much glue, the solar panel is easy to pry away from the glass globe and replaced. Some of my lights are over two years old.

Reply
Steph
1/6/2016 07:52:49 pm

Great ideas Kat!

Reply
Jan
9/15/2017 03:15:34 pm

Great idea as lights with solar lights. Illuminating around a driveway similar to illuminaries or a porch is good. Thanks for stimulating my creativity.

Reply
Steph
9/15/2017 04:27:03 pm

You're welcome! :)

Barb Kukkonen
4/11/2016 08:39:58 am

Reply



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