Glass Globe Solar Lights

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?

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.

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.

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)

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.

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.

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.

How to Make a Glass Globe Solar Light

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:

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

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

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.

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.

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

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