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    Home » Repurposed Items » Glass Globe Solar Lights

    Glass Globe Solar Lights

    Published by Gail | Published May 10, 2017 | Updated May 21, 2022
    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

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    Ceiling fan glass globe solar lights are so easy and inexpensive to make. They are perfect for the patio, special events and weddings. Make some today! #MyRepurposedLife #repurposed #ceiling #fan #globes #solar #lighting via @repurposedlife

    Using an old ceiling fan glass globe to make a new solar light is so easy, you’re going to wonder why you didn’t do it years ago—or maybe you did and didn’t tell me? Winking smile

    It’s time for our Thrift Store Décor Team monthly challenge, and this month I’m using glass globes from old ceiling fans to update some solar lighting in my yard. Each month we do makeovers on junk we find cheap, and this project doesn't disappoint.

    habitat ReStore glass globe solar lights

    I got a great deal on  glass globes at my local Habitat for Humanity ReStore. They were marked $1, but lighting was 50% off the day I went. I picked up 3 sets of matching globes. Had I known they were on sale, I probably would have selected at least 2 more sets.

    If you have an extra solar light and a moss basket (from the dollar store) you will love this wire basket solar light feature.

    Supplies and Tools:

    • Glass Globes
    • Wire (I used Floral Wire)
    • Inexpensive Solar Lights
    • Brackets or Shepherd hooks for hanging
    • Needle Nosed Pliers (for snipping and or bending wire)
    • Glue such as E6000 (I chose not to secure the lights, but you may want to do so)
    floral wire

    There is a $$ Tree store in the same shopping center, so I hopped over there to see what I could find in the way of wire. In the craft section I found these colorful floral craft wire items.

    dollar store solar lights

    Solar lights were readily available at the front of the store. I liked the hammered finish on the rims. Can you believe you can get these lights for a buck a piece? Amazing!

    Note: I had one of these solar lights in the kitchen and it stayed lit on one charge for more than 24 hours! Bonus, they charge in shade these days. Not at all like they were  20 years ago.

    glass globe solar light materials

    On the way home I stopped at the Dollar General Store and picked up some brackets and small shepherd hooks. The brackets were $1, the shepherd hooks were $2 each.

    solar light features
    Click image for 10 more solar light features

    How to Make a Glass Globe Solar Light

    DIY glass globe solar lights for your patio or special event MyRepurposedLife.com
    1.  Uncoil wire
    2.  Place wire around the neck of the glass globe, leaving wire for securing.
    3.  Before clamping the collar wire, decide how long you want your handle, snip that wire and curl up the ends to secure around the collar wire
    4. Slip handle into the collar
    5. Secure collar by twisting the wire
    6. Secure and snip collar and handle wires
    7. Remove battery tab and stake from solar light. Place light on top of globe
    8. Make adjustments to wire so it sits securely and is centered on the neck of the globe
    9. Repeat!

    In case you need a visual, here’s a video showing you how to make hanging solar lanterns:

    See how easy it is? Seriously, these lights have sooo many uses. They could light the path for a party or wedding using small shepherd hooks, they could hang by brackets around your pool deck—the ideas are endless!

    How to make hanging solar lanterns:

    more glass globe solar lights

    Three different sets, which do you like better? Scroll down to see how they look lit up.

    solar lights using ceiling fan globes MyRepurposedLife.com

    The small globes look great on the hooks and/or the brackets.

    more glass globe solar lights MyRepurposedLife.com

    Here are the others I made. While I was choosing the globes, I wasn’t sure which style I wanted, or which ones would project the most light. I actually ended up liking the ones with the red wire the best.

    See more Repurposed Glass Projects Here

    glass lighting fixture

    PIN IT!

    Cost breakdown . . .

    • Globes .50 each
    • Wire $1.00
    • Solar light $1.00 each
    • Brackets $1.00 each

    For one set, $7.00

    I've also used solar lights on chandeliers  and lamps.

    thrift store decor promo graphic

    Be sure to visit my friends to see their awesome projects this month! They always inspire me.

    Ceiling Fan Glass Globe Solar Lights My Repurposed Life (you are here)

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    Reader Interactions

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    1. Joan

      August 17, 2022 at 5:41 am

      Love it! You go girl!

      Reply
      • Gail Wilson

        August 20, 2022 at 6:07 pm

        Thanks Joan! Happy you like the Glass Globe Solar Lights!
        gail

    2. s

      May 30, 2022 at 9:08 am

      What a clever idea, Gail! Thank you.

      Reply
      • Gail Wilson

        May 31, 2022 at 9:37 pm

        Happy you love my solar light project!

        gail

    3. Lizzy

      June 13, 2021 at 12:49 pm

      Oh my gosh! So smart. I always thought those fan lights were ugly, but you made them really pretty!

      Reply
    4. Bonnie

      June 05, 2021 at 6:07 am

      Can the solar light be replaced easily?

      Reply
      • Gail Wilson

        June 15, 2021 at 9:40 am

        Bonnie,

        Yes, the solar light can be replaced very quickly and easily.

        gail

    5. Nina

      January 20, 2020 at 8:19 pm

      I made one! I found the glass shade at the thrift shop for 99 cents and decided to give it a try. Had wire and purchased a solar light for $1 at Walmart. Put it together in minutes and I used hot glue! This is my test run to see if I like it and how easy it was to work with the wire... easy peasy! Love it and thank you! I'll be making more to decorate my porch this summer!

      Reply
      • Gail Wilson

        January 21, 2020 at 10:38 am

        Nina!

        I'm so happy you found this tutorial and made your own glass globe solar light! Thanks for sharing your experience with me!

        enjoy your new lights!
        gail

    6. Kathleen

      August 25, 2019 at 1:00 am

      Gail I am grateful for your video tutorial. I'm a senior citizen and have ALWAYS needed to see and do NOT read and do.
      So, THANK YOU for going above and beyond (by using video instructions) inorder for others to do the DIY PROJECTS.
      Once again thank you so much.
      ~ Kathleen

      Reply
      • Gail Wilson

        August 26, 2019 at 9:49 am

        Kathleen,

        Thank you for letting me know this! I don't do video tutorials often enough. I'll make an effort to do that more.

        have a great week!
        gail

    7. Cindy Groves

      August 03, 2018 at 8:04 am

      You are so creative! I love your projects.

      Reply
    8. Robyn Wright

      May 04, 2018 at 11:12 am

      OMG!! These will look fanTAStic in my fairy garden!! Thank you!

      Reply
      • Gail Wilson

        May 04, 2018 at 3:16 pm

        Awesome! so happy to inspire you. Mine have been up almost a year and they still light every night. They make me smile. 😉

        gail

    9. Jennie

      September 01, 2017 at 11:58 pm

      I have all the parts and hope to make these this weekend. I really love these.

      Reply
      • Gail Wilson

        September 03, 2017 at 10:36 pm

        Thank you Jennie! I still smile every time I look out the window and see my glass globe solar lights.

        I hope you love yours as much as I do.

        gail

    10. Anne

      August 28, 2017 at 10:37 am

      Love your idea and tutorial! I have done this exact project and have a couple of suggestions. I tried both the clear glass shades and the frosted shades. The clear ones definitely give off more light. Also, all solar lights are not created equal. The ones from the dollar stores are much dimmer than the $.97 cent ones from Walmart with 2.4 or 2.5 lumens (watts) clearly stated on the store display box. The dollar store display box doesn't say how many lumens. They are even cheaper at Walmart if you buy the box of 12 for $9.98 (.83 cents/ea.).
      Thanks and keep the good projects coming! 🙂
      Anne

      Reply
      • Gail Wilson

        August 28, 2017 at 1:05 pm

        Thanks for all the great tips Anne! I appreciate it.

        gail

    11. Pili

      August 05, 2017 at 2:29 am

      Thanks so much for actually giving information. I clicked on several pins that had nothing on cthem. You even posted a video! Bravo!

      Reply
      • Gail Wilson

        August 05, 2017 at 8:08 am

        Happy you found my solar light tutorial helpful!

        gail

      • Karen

        August 12, 2017 at 3:55 pm

        Great idea. I'm going to make these and put them on my flower beds.

    12. Jim Cool

      August 02, 2017 at 6:02 pm

      Great idea. Does anyone actually know a source where just the solar lights by themselves can be purchased without taking apart premade solar light stakes?

      Seems a waste to separate a premade product unless there is an intended purpose for the stakes themselves.

      Just a thoughtful suggestion that a source for the lights themselves would be best. ????????????

      Reply
    13. Roxanne

      June 02, 2017 at 10:07 pm

      I have many globes that I bought previously, and solar light that I paid 50¢ apiece for hoping someday to use them for something Pretty, and now I can....Thank you, will be making some soon!

      Reply
      • Gail Wilson

        June 02, 2017 at 10:23 pm

        Yay! so happy I inspired you Roxanne! 🙂

        have fun!

        gail

    14. Jenni Skaggs

      June 01, 2017 at 9:51 pm

      Outstanding idea! It's fun to design a gift or decor for my home and spend less than $10 for each item. Shine on!

      Reply
    15. Lauren

      May 22, 2017 at 1:01 pm

      Goodness -- these are fantastic!! I was JUST at our ReStore and saw tons of these. I love the short shepherds hooks for putting these in the garden or using along a path! I have pinned and will definitely be making these! Thanks so much!

      Reply
      • Gail Wilson

        May 22, 2017 at 8:56 pm

        Thank you Lauren for stopping by and taking the time to leave a comment. It's a really good idea for odd sized numbers of those glass globes.

        thanks for pinning!

        gail

    16. Christy @ Our Southern Home

      May 11, 2017 at 10:26 am

      This is such a great idea!!! This would be great in our back yard!

      Reply
    17. Judy

      May 11, 2017 at 4:09 am

      Those are fabulous......what a great idea.

      Reply
    18. Mindi

      May 11, 2017 at 12:19 am

      This is a fabulous idea Gail! You are so creative, I love how many ways you can use these! Pinned!

      Reply
      • Gail Wilson

        May 11, 2017 at 9:09 am

        Thanks for Pinning Mindi!

        gail

    19. Carol

      May 10, 2017 at 2:29 pm

      Lovely. You are so clever and inventive! I like the ones you like the best too!

      Reply
    20. Anthony

      May 10, 2017 at 2:09 pm

      This is such a cool idea and using the shepherd hooks is a great touch. I might try this with some old mason jars that I have. Thanks for the idea!

      Reply
    21. Jessica Yusuf

      May 10, 2017 at 1:11 pm

      That's so creative! I love seeing something that seems so simple and straight forward - after someone else does it! Thanks for sharing this. I can't wait to try it.

      Reply
    22. Maryann @ Domestically Speaking

      May 10, 2017 at 12:56 pm

      Love this idea for a patio - you've got my head spinning - love it!

      Reply
    23. Lynda

      May 10, 2017 at 12:54 pm

      Great idea!! Love it.

      Reply
    24. Kathy

      May 10, 2017 at 8:25 am

      I think a small ring of silk flowers around the top would be pretty....maybe something that I could change out seasonally...

      Reply
    25. GirlfromWVa

      May 10, 2017 at 8:11 am

      Awesome! I love it. I took a few of globe covers and slid them over two that are already set up in the yard. Was lucky that they fit right over solar light and didn't slip down.

      Reply
    26. Carole

      May 10, 2017 at 7:57 am

      Such a neat idea - we're moving to a new property soon which doesn't even have electricity yet so these lights would be a fun addition maybe hanging from the trees.

      Reply
    27. Cindy Trobaugh

      May 10, 2017 at 6:51 am

      I Love them! heading to get some at my local thrift store! Thanks for the inspiration!

      Reply
    28. Paula

      May 10, 2017 at 5:30 am

      What an awesome idea! We have no outdoor lighting at the lake and this could be a great way to line our walkway with lights inexpensively.

      Reply

    Primary Sidebar

    Hi, there! I’m Gail Wilson, the author and mastermind behind My Repurposed Life. I’m obsessed with finding potential in unexpected places and believe that with a little hard work and imagination, any old thing can be made useful again—myself included! I hope you’ll enjoy the journey and pick up a few tools along the way… literally!

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