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.
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)
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
- Uncoil wire
- Place wire around the neck of the glass globe, leaving wire for securing.
- 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
- Slip handle into the collar
- Secure collar by twisting the wire
- Secure and snip collar and handle wires
- Remove battery tab and stake from solar light. Place light on top of globe
- Make adjustments to wire so it sits securely and is centered on the neck of the globe
- 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.
See more Repurposed Glass Projects Here
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.
Ceiling Fan Glass Globe Solar Lights My Repurposed Life (you are here)
Kitchen Scales Makeover Refresh Restyle
Metal Garden Flower Domestically Speaking
Piano Bench Makeover Our Southern Home
Barkcloth Curtains Petticoat Junktion
Lizzy
Oh my gosh! So smart. I always thought those fan lights were ugly, but you made them really pretty!
Bonnie
Can the solar light be replaced easily?
Gail Wilson
Bonnie,
Yes, the solar light can be replaced very quickly and easily.
gail
Nina
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!
Gail Wilson
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
Kathleen
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
Gail Wilson
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
Cindy Groves
You are so creative! I love your projects.
Robyn Wright
OMG!! These will look fanTAStic in my fairy garden!! Thank you!
Gail Wilson
Awesome! so happy to inspire you. Mine have been up almost a year and they still light every night. They make me smile. 😉
gail
Jennie
I have all the parts and hope to make these this weekend. I really love these.
Gail Wilson
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
Anne
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
Gail Wilson
Thanks for all the great tips Anne! I appreciate it.
gail
Pili
Thanks so much for actually giving information. I clicked on several pins that had nothing on cthem. You even posted a video! Bravo!
Gail Wilson
Happy you found my solar light tutorial helpful!
gail
Karen
Great idea. I'm going to make these and put them on my flower beds.
Jim Cool
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. ????????????
Roxanne
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!
Gail Wilson
Yay! so happy I inspired you Roxanne! 🙂
have fun!
gail
Jenni Skaggs
Outstanding idea! It's fun to design a gift or decor for my home and spend less than $10 for each item. Shine on!
Lauren
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!
Gail Wilson
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
Christy @ Our Southern Home
This is such a great idea!!! This would be great in our back yard!
Judy
Those are fabulous......what a great idea.
Mindi
This is a fabulous idea Gail! You are so creative, I love how many ways you can use these! Pinned!
Gail Wilson
Thanks for Pinning Mindi!
gail
Carol
Lovely. You are so clever and inventive! I like the ones you like the best too!
Anthony
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!
Jessica Yusuf
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.
Maryann @ Domestically Speaking
Love this idea for a patio - you've got my head spinning - love it!
Lynda
Great idea!! Love it.
Kathy
I think a small ring of silk flowers around the top would be pretty....maybe something that I could change out seasonally...
GirlfromWVa
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.
Carole
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.
Cindy Trobaugh
I Love them! heading to get some at my local thrift store! Thanks for the inspiration!
Paula
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.