I recently purchased energy-saver bulbs for my house and have been replacing the old ones as they burn out. I’ve been hording them to use as Tree Ornaments. Okay, so using burned-out light bulbs to make tree ornaments is not a new idea but I thought I’d post my favorite method of decorating them, which is glitter them. It just looks really cool, is really fun and really easy. You don’t want to spend hours doing something fancy only to have the bulb break. Plus, there are so many beautiful glitters available. I’m using Martha Stewarts fine glitter (I purchased a 3-glitter pack and used that essential craft store coupon to get 40% off). Anyway, here’s the how-to.
Materials:
- Burned out Bulbs
- Tacky Craft Glue and brush
- Glitter
- Wire and wire cutters or a sturdy thread/yarn/chord
- Empty egg container or box that bulbs came in
First, create an ornament hanger by cutting a 12-inch piece of wire. Wrap the wire around the thread of the bulb and create a loop on the top of with the leftover wire. If using thread tie loop around base of bulb and tie a loop to hang from tree.
Next, dip brush into undiluted craft glue and apply a thick coat directly to the bulb.
You can use a heat gun to dry the glue more quickly.
If creating a pattern apply glue for first color, glitter and then apply glue for second color. Shake off excess glitter.
Make sure to apply glitter to the base. Use an empty egg container or the package the light bulbs came in to hold the bulb while you apply glue and glitter.
Allow to dry and then hang on tree.
Great post! The little no-hole (micro) glass beads would work well, too. I’ve also used little scraps of green, red & white tissue paper, probably about the size of dimes, to glue all over in random order for a faux stained glass kind of look. They overlap to cover the bulb completely and the tree lights shine through the tissue paper to make it look almost lit from inside.
I’m a polymer clay fah-REEK, so of course, I throw it in, too. I roll out a semi-thin sheet of polyclay in a matching color then wrap it around where the wire hanger meets the bulb and up around the entire metal screw-in part. The hanger sticks out of the top. It closes it all in and keeps the wire super-secure. You can then bake the whole thing to cure the clay and paint or glitter the clay along with the rest of the bulb.
I love your blog! Thanks so much, and happy crafting!
Good idea.
I have used in mi blog.
Thank you
I have never seen this idea before. So creative and they turned out so cute!
I love these glittery light bulbs! I wonder if we could do that with the new spiral energy efficient bulbs. I think when I try this I will tie or glue ribbon or fabric or some more glitter on the silver screw part of the light bulb too.
now why in the world have i never thought of that? i have sat and pondered long and hard over what to do with a burnt bulb, and now at last, the perfect cutest thing ~ i just love it!