You will love my dollar store solar light hack! Yep, I made a moss basket solar light out of a $1 moss basket and some clearance prisms from the craft store! You must make this for your deck or outdoor area.
Here are the items I used to start my hanging outdoor lighting fixture. The prisms are marked $5, but I got a much better deal than that on sale or clearance last year.
More Solar Light Projects here.
Materials needed to make a wire basket solar light
- Wire Moss Basket
- Glass Prisms (similar ones available on Amazon)
- Solar Light
- Spray Paint
- Glue Gun
Remove chain from basket
I removed the hook and chain from the basket—this is so easy to do because of the small clips that hold the chain on.
Reattach the chain clips onto the sides of the wire basket.
Hang glass prisms onto wire basket light
I began by tying three glass prisms evenly spaced around the wire basket. You can find lots of hanging glass prisms on Amazon.
Adding more prisms one at a time until I feel like there is a good balance of shimmer! My dollar store solar light hack is moving right along!
Trim extra line from prisms
The prisms hang from something similar to fishing line material. After tying several knots, I snipped off the excess line with my scissors.
Hot glue assures knots stay in place
I got this awesome cordless glue gun at a conference from Arrow. It was so perfect for this basket solar light project since I was working on it outside as it hung from a tree. I put a bead of hot glue on all the knots, securing them.
This little dab of hot glue will keep the prisms from sliding around on the wire basket solar light. Not only are the prisms pretty at night, they glisten in the daytime too!
Paint solar light
Using blue painter’s tape to protect the photo cell, I spray painted a solar light I already had. I wanted it to have a black finish so it would match the hanging wire basket.
I prefer to spray a couple of light coats for the best coverage.
Hot Glue Prism to Solar Light
I used one more glass prism for the bottom of the solar light. There was a hole in the base of the light. I simply threaded the line through it and added a dab of hot glue on the inside and the outside for good measure.
In the old days, solar stuff needed plenty of light to get a good charge. Have you noticed that the small solar panel grabs a charge even in partial shade?
Dollar Store Solar Light Hack for Patio
Don't you love the way the glass prisms of the moss basket solar light catch the colors from the yard? I can’t wait to hang this in my backyard camper retreat. Will you be making one for your outdoor space?
Be sure to check the awesome project below from my friend Debbie!
Dollar Tree Rae Dunn Inspired Scroll DIY
What is your must have purchase at the Dollar Store?
gail
see more Dollar Store Ideas Here
Linda
I don't understand how the solar light goes on when no sunlight can get to it by the shade of the tree?
Gail Wilson
Linda,
Newer solar lights have come a long way. They charge in partial shade. Amazing, I know!
gail
Barbara
So cute.
When I used hot glue on fixing line it melted it.
Guessing you used low melt?
Adorable.
I have yet to make it to dollar store/tree to get Supplies for anything!
Blessings
Barb
Gail Wilson
Barbara,
Thanks so much for stopping by and taking the time so say hello!!
I don't think I even have a low melt gun. I guess the line on the prisms was stronger than fishing line?
This was a fun and easy project.
gail
Bertie
Looks like a fantastic idea. I'll have to wait for warmer weather to try it.
Gail Wilson
It was fun, and I still love how it looks in the backyard.
gail
Linda Morgan
I will be making this! Have the prisms aka Chistmas ornaments already bought.and have Solar lights I take apart !
Gail Wilson
Linda, That's awesome!
have fun!
gail
Liz
I did mine but I got all my bling off of amazon because the dollar tree did not have a good choice. I have it hanging outside my kitchen window and love looking out there and seeing it lite up at night and think it is so pretty….I wish I could post a picture of it but do not see that option for it.
Gail Wilson
Liz,
Sounds like you took charge and made it happen!! I bet yours basket solar light is very pretty.
gail
lila ladue
Hanging from a tree? Does the solar get enough sun to work?
Gail Wilson
Yes!
The newer solar lights don't need near as much sunshine as they used to.
gail
Naomi Shelton
Gail, that is so clever and elegant! I was imagining spray-ainting the basket white as well as the solar light, hanging the crystals and using it in the large, east-acing bay window as a night light. Where did you get the hanging basket? You said at the dollar store, but was it DollarTree?
Gail Wilson
Naomi,
Thanks for your sweet comment! Yes, the Dollar Tree is where I got the moss hanging basket. I would love to see your project when it's done!
gail
Cheryl joesting
Where did you find the prisms at
Debbie Westbrooks
Love it Gail! I really need to make some for my outdoor area. Pinning for later!
Jennie
Hi Gail, this is so cute. I have to get a cordless glue gun. The fishing line, here in the heat, will become brittle in about 2 weeks. I would use thin wire. Nothing fancy either because it will need regular repairs. Have you tried covering the solar square with clear nail polish? I don’t remember where I read that. Probably from you. It has made my lights last from a season to a year. Otherwise they get really cloudy and don’t charge..