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O.K. Get ready for it … this one’s a doozy. Doozie? Doosey.
It’s a humdinger.
It looks high end with a side of huge impact,
It costs next to nothing,
And even if being “handy” to you means replacing your regular lightbulbs with eco-friendly ones … you’ll be able to do this in 3 minutes flat.
This:
Opaque glass shades found at second hand store ...
That:
Mini Lights from Christmas ...
Equals:
Glowing orbs for your garden
Total Cost: $3
In my attempt to make my backyard a teensy bit more contemporary than my 170 year old house I ran into a few problems. Outdoor lighting is EXPENSIVE. If I’m gonna shell out a whole whack of cash for something in my backyard it’s gonna be on a tenderloin for the BBQ. Or a better BBQ. Or a talking parrot who refers to me as Princess Leia.
It isn’t gonna be for lighting if I can help it.
So while perusing the local second hand store I came across some truly unfortunate stains on the carpet AND these ubiquitous opaque glass shades. You’ve probably thrown a few out in your lifetime. Stop doing that. Stop it right now.
Because as you can see, all you have to do is shove some old mini lights in em to create an outdoor light that even a magazine Editor in Chief will comment on. (Thank you Eric McLaughlin of Style at Home magazine for noticing my glowing orbs)
And here’s the best part! You know those stupid, anger inducing mini lights you have shoved in your basement? The ones where only half of the string lights up? Yeah, um … this is a perfect use for them. PERFECT!
at night
during the day
Just stick the glass shades anywhere you want and stuff them full of mini lights. Attach an extension cord if you need to and hide it under your garden dirt or mulch. I have my lights on a timer so they come on every night at dusk. They look beauuuuutiful.
And it wasn’t a fluke that I found these in a second hand store. Every time I’ve gone into a second hand store I’ve noticed these shades there. Goodwill, Salvation Army, random Bible Stores … they’re always in there. Flea markets have them as well! They’re usually around $1 – $3 each.
You can also get them at regular old hardware stores. But they’re about $10 – $15. And it would be stupid to spend $10 – $15 when you can spend $1 – $3. Right? Plus reduce, reuse, recycle and all that crap. But you know that from changing those eco-friendly lightbulbs, right?
And if you think the glowing balls look good like this, in the middle of a summer backyard … wait’ll I show you what you can do with them in the winter!
It’s fantastic! Trust me. Princess Leia wouldn’t lie to you.
p.s. Look here to learn how to turn these same glass shades into a birdfeeder!
and Look here to learn how I used them in the winter!
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Heather
I found your site when i saw your fantastical house in Style at home. We’re moving into our new house next week, and i’m having the opposite problem as you, new build = almost no character.
There are 3 main reasons i heart your blog.
1.Your style is very similar to mine Modern + Antiques = totally rocking my world
2.Hailing from winnipeg means i’m freaking cheap, so your tips are magnificent for me.
3. I love the feeling ,and bragging rights, of making something that looks expensive from next to nothing.
Sorry , a lot of rambeling for me to tell you I LOVE these outdoor lights. My front steps are going to be FULL of them.
also, wondering where you got the woodcutters chopping block you used to make your side table, i’ve been looking but they’re hard to find.
deborahinps
This is a terrific idea!
I’ve used Christmas lights in a large glass vase but never thought to use them outdoors…I’m off to make my yard all fancy like
Shauna
GET OUT!!!! Those are soooo cool!! I’ve always looked at those lights at our restore and thought… HA…I’ve gotten rid of a few of those…ha ha…poor sucker who buys them!! However, upon seeing how cool that is I feel like a major dork. I will now go back to restore this week to buy some… I’ve got some cool ideas for Halloween!! Can’t wait to see the winter pics!
Julie shinnick
oooo ahhhh those are FANTASTIC!! How did you know that we have just spent allllll our money on a new verandah and I was thinking how I could light up the area for next to nothing? You are a genius! AND psychic! Thanks Princess Leia!! xxoo
Vila
Great! Thanks for the tip! I was actually staring for hours in one local issue of Design magazine where they had similar glowing orbs floating in water…this is like a dream come true
anyhow, can you by any chance explain the timer setup? Thanks!
Karen
Hi Vila. To set anything up on a timer outside, all you have to do is buy an outdoor timer at a hardware store. You plug it into your outdoor electrical outlet and then plug the item you want to come on and go off at a certain time into it. There’s usually a dial with pins on it to set what time you want it to go on and off at. Cheaper timers just work with dawn and dusk. You plug the item into the timer and it automatically comes on at dawn and goes off at dusk. The cheapest outdoor timer will probably cost you $10.
Lita
So about that outdoor outlet.
Saying you don’t have one, Aand you wanted to install one….what would be the best way of going about that?
Judy
They sell battery operated lights on Qvc and they have a timer on them. I have used them on several things in the past.
Karen
Judy/Lita – They *do*, but they won’t be bright enough to make the orbs really glow. You need a bit stronger light. Maybe several candles might do it, but I’m not sure about one. :\ ~ karen
Lisa
Maybe you could fill the bottom half with sand so the orb won’t roll around and put tea lights in to light it.
Vila
Thanks a bunch! Would you believe that in this part of EU they never heard for such timers
… I went to a couple of DIY shops and the only thing I can find was some expensive variants of the timers used for professional lighting… darn! What I actually did is: I went to a china town and bought those Xmas lamps with built-in timer. This works nicely so far and in my basment I found transparent glass shades and it doesn’t look bad 
The problem I encountered is that the power plug and the lamp’s cable were not long enough, so I did some cutting/cable extention/duck tape insulation et voila… 
)) Needless to say that I want to be just like you when I grow up, lol!
CanuckinCalifornia
LOVE this idea, thanks for sharing!!!
Zina
Kewl. Now please come to England and my new flat and show me how to get a plug for power out to my deck. Well, hang on, that won’t work, really, because they tell me that our tame electrical systems are dangerous enough but are piddly stuff compared to the electrical systems in the UK, so most electrical work is best done by a licensed electrician.
So…I’ll use this tip once I get power out to the deck. On the other hand, waitasecond, I saw battery strings of mini lights and some frosted light covers at the pound store…hmmm…
Pam'a
I have, on occasion, run an extension cord out a window to accomplish outdoor electrification. Just shut the window on it and it’s fine. Probably not a good idea to leave it there for decades on end, tho.
Worst case, candles in Mason jars!
Jeanne
What a great idea! And, I several strings that only half light, perfect.
Sherry (BTLover2)
Another brilliant idea! I can’t tell you how much I adore your backyard and everything you’ve done to it. Orbs, ponds, fountain, etc. GORGEOUS!! You really are talented beyond words…
Shelly (FlagirlinTN)
OK, this idea is just crazy smart. The “why couldn’t I think of something so clever and cheap?” smart. I am DOING this..
Mostly thank you for a post that doesn’t make me laugh so hard I pee. It is getting increasingly hard to make up reasons why I change clothes at work.
Karen
Hah! Um … thank you??? I think. – Princess Leia.
Maggie
Humdinger? I should say so!! I love this idea. Totally going to do this, you brilliant woman! Have a question….where did you get the planter you are using as a table? Thank you for sharing all of your wonderful ideas!
Karen
Hi Maggie. Glad you like the idea! It’s always the simplest things, isn’t it? If you’re talking about the black cylindrical planter with the glass top (in between the 2 chairs in my backyard) … phew … I got it at Homesense. Which if you are American is the equivelant of Homegoods. Had a few nicks and blemishes so I got it cheap.
Maggie
Thank you!
Brittany
WOW! Pretty much pure genius!! I’m going to use this idea for the New Year’s party I am throwing… it looks like it would be a nice way to decorate a stage!
Oonafey @ Little Pink Houses
Fab! You haven’t had any problems with moisture, have you? Um. Not in general, but with the project and the lightbulbs and whatnot.
Jane
Karen, love your fountain. How did you do it?
Karen
Hi Jane – thanks! I think (hope) you’re talking about my waterfall. You can see my entire backyard makeover, including building my pond here! I basically built a waterfall that surrounds my half of my pond using leftover pieces of slate. My backyard was slate, but most of it fell apart and crumbled over the years. The pieces that were still O.K., ended up as a surround to my pond and a couple of waterfalls. If you look at the other post I’ve shown you you’ll get an idea of how I did it! If you need more detailed info lemme know … karen!
Jane
So basically, dig a pond and line. Build up slate wall at side for water to hurtle over. But does it come from the top out of a planter, fall in, and recirculate up?
Karen
The pond has a pump in it. To this pump I have a hose attached. This hose then has a splitter, which turns one hose into 2 hoses. Each of these hoses runs out of the pond to the top of each of my waterfalls. (one hose per waterfall). The hose runs out the top of the slate waterfall and is concealed by more slate on top of it. It is just a continuous, recirculation of the pond water. That’s basically it. !
Jane
How do you get the water to fan across the slate so nicely?
Karen
The slate is on a teeny bit of an angle (towards the pond) and the water is coming out of the hose at the perfect rate. If you do this yourself another trick is to stick a small rock in front of the hose. Vary the size and shape of the rock to vary the way the water comes out. (I didn’t need the rock, but it’s a trick that I know works) Another tip … the faster the water comes out of the hose (due to the strength of the pump) and the further it has to fall before it hits the pond, the louder it will be. Good luck!
sera
I so completely love this! Now I just have to dig out my old xmas lights… do you actually use your basement as the staging room for all the stuff that you might use someday? like dead xmas lights and old prosthetic legs?
Karen
Hah! Well now that you mention it, yeah … I guess my basement is a staging room.
sera
that’s it! I’m kicking my husbands crap out of MY staging room!
Anemone
Ok…I dont have a backyard… YET…. or much of a front…
but when i do which isnt long again…
pretty glowing orb lights…are going to be the first lights i install.
Erin
I heart you. I heart your blog. AND I heart your ideas. Just wish I had a Yard now…..
Karen
Alisha
This is YOUR backyard? *jealous face* I’ve been seriously coveting this backyard awesome since Design Sponge posted it. I’m just discovering your blog today and I’ve already peed a little … about 6 or 7 times. Just sayin’.
DzynByJules
OMG! I thought I was the MacGuyver of cheap/inventive decor, but I tip my tiara to you, AGAIN!!! I am TOTALLY inspired, AGAIN! Twice in one evening! I’m speeding over to the Goodwill tomorrow, Mach 2 with my hair on fire, to scoop up all the orbs I can get my hands on! Now I have an excuse to break into my bins of “I can’t throw out these partially good tangles of lights, cause I know I’ll find the PERFECT use for them someday” random Christmas stuff, now I know I didn’t save them for nothing! My husband will be thrilled! YOU ARE THE BEST! I’m going to line the garden beds of my front walkway for Halloween with this over the top outstanding idea! SQUEALS!!!!!!!!! Thanks again Karen! Jules
Terry
Happy Thanksgiving to my Canadian neighbor. You look like I do when fully involved in the kitchen, pie-baking, roast beast basting, and so forth. Ain’t it great?!
Now, on to that pesky ingrown toenail…cit a small “v” in the middle of the offending nail, The toenail will grow towards the center leaving you with a pain-free toe. It takes a little while but it always works. You may just have to do this every so often. OK, enough pre-table T’giving talk. Do you make stuffing? What kind? What veggies are you making. Oooh, this is so exciting because it makes me want to get into the good kitchen and start thinking, doing and turning out great food. Best of Luck and thanks for your sharing!
Terry
Oh, fiddlesticks! I should have put this “cooking, baking and toenailcure on the place for kitchen, not the orbs! Sorry.
The orbs look beautiful and night and during the day they add that certain je ne sais quois that is so attractive and the whole effect, day and night, puts me in mind of the little gnomes and garden fairies that help us in making our gardens grow–and, dast I say here–glow? Ooh,may have stretched that one a bit. Nevertheless, they look just fine and are, at once, relaxing and inspiring. Thanks!
Jenn
Did you do your winter photo shoot?
Karen
Jenn – Yes I did! Here it is …. http://www.theartofdoingstuff.com/outdoor-holiday-planters ~ karen
Ali Winter
Shut the front door! These are SO fantastic! I saw a 2 pack at costco for considerably more than $3. Great Idea, I love thrift store shopping.
I found your blog through Pinterest, great way to get your stuff out there!
Karen
Ali – Thanks for the comment. Feel free to Pinterest any of my stuff.
I have NO idea how to Pin things. I can barely, *barely* manage StumbleUpon. ~ karen!
Judy
How about using the battery operated mini lights??I’ve done those in wine bottleswith greenery around& on top!!
Karen
Judy – Give it a shot! You’d just have to make sure you got strong enough lights that would glow through the opaque glass and I’d probably do something to ensure the batteries were waterproofed if you kept them outside. Put the battery pack in tupperware or something.
I like the plug in lights because I know they’re meant for outdoor use and I can put them on a timer. ~ karen
Robin Jensen
I’m so doing this! Also, You are hilarious!!
Karen
Thanks Robin! Check out this as well for the winter … http://www.theartofdoingstuff.com/outdoor-holiday-planters . The possibilities are endless really. ~ karen
Rosanne
Well I’m only a year late, so I’ll try this fab idea this summer. I thought the moon was so bright last year, turns out, it was all the orbs alight because of you. I love this, especially the part where you say “reduce, reuse, recycle and all that crap”. Bah!!
theaxx
this is ingenius!! i love it! ha!
thea.
xx
Spoonful zine.
Karen
Thanx theaxx! – Here they are again in a different setting outside, http://www.theartofdoingstuff.com/outdoor-holiday-planters and if you watch the video in this post .. you can see how to use them in your house! http://www.theartofdoingstuff.com/my-segment-with-steven-chrishow-to-decorate-for-cheap Their uses are never ending! ~ karen
Kristy Neeley
FABULOUS!! GREAT idea. I stocked up on those mini lights for $.37 each after Christmas at Walmart. I didn’t know why.. NOW I DO! Thanks kristy from my crafty thrifty diy blog http://www.apronsandapples.blogspot.com
Kristy Neeley
I forgot to mention i LOVE your writing style! You are a very talented writer. Thanks for the entertainment and crafty ideas at the same time!
Kristy of http://www.apronsandapples.blogspot.com
Karen
Thanks Kristy! I love writin’ so I appreciate the compliment! ~ karen
Chera Logsdon
These are beautiful!!! Can’t wait to go to my local thrift stores to look for some of them to make for myself….Thanks for sharing:))
Karen
Thanks Chera! I’ll have even more ideas for these orbs in the summer so keep a lookout for them.
~ karen
Sheila Earhart
Absolutely LOVE them!!!
Karen
Thanks Sheila! And thanks for visiting the site. ~ karen
S
Okay, I gotta ask… do you think the lighting keeps the slugs away from your hostas?
Karen
Huh! That’s a good question. My chickens recently demolished one of my hostas. And I mean demolished. I wonder i the lights would keep THEM away! I don’t know the answer to your question, but I’ll be sure to keep an eye out this summer! I don’t have a HUGE problem with slugs to begin with but I always have a few holes. ~ karen
JenniferH
I was wondering… have you tried doing these with multi-colored lighting, or other color strings (like orange around halloween?) I might have to try this in my yard!
Karen
Jennifer – That’d be a good idea for the holidays. My backyard is kind of “fancy” so I prefer the white for my yard, but colours would work for other, more casual backyards. I’m curious about what the multicoloured lights would look light. Hmm. ~ karen
Kristine
Oh my goodness thank you so much for sharing. I am going to do this in my backyard! Thank you!!!!
mary
What a fantastic idea! Would you mind me sharing this idea on my blog with a link back to you?
Karen
Sure Mary! And thank you for asking! Just make sure to not post my whole post! When you do that, nobody comes back to my site to visit. (I did a post on how to properly re-post stuff a week or so ago) Glad you liked the orbs!
kate
Really an awesome idea! I would like to do this in my garden area that is nowhere close to an outlet…I’m going to see if I buy really cheap solar garden lights to provided the light source…not sure if it would be strong enough to be pretty through a globe though…we’ll see. Thanks for showing it, so nice!
Karen
Kate – You’re right, the solar garden lights are usually pretty dim. Hopefully you can find some that are strong. I think the ones that run of a separate panel as opposed to having the solar panel on the top of them are stronger. Plus that way the solar panel won’t be shaded. (if you get solar lights that have the solar source on top of the light, it’ll be covered up and not getting enough sun if you put them in the glass shades. Good luck! ~ Karen!
Toni
Hi, Karen! I just found your website from Kimba at A Soft Place to Land. I love this project! I am totally non-handy around the house. (I could be if I really wanted to, but I hate reading directions, trying to get precise measurements, etc. I make my husband do it! I can change light bulbs and kill roaches, ants, and spiders though!) I have been looking for a lighting solution to line the walkway to our front door and this would work perfectly. Off to Goodwill this week to look for the glass shades. Thanks for sharing!
Holly
I can’t wait to see what you do with them in the winter, but for now I’m going to try this for the summer. So glad I found your site through Marys Meanderings.
Angela H.
Oh, this is awesome. I’m totally pinning it — and I got here from the CRAFT blog, which is also awesome.
Karen
Thanks Angela! I’m actually going to show yet another fantastic thing you can do with these orbs on Thursday! ~ karen
Laura
Thank you this is perfect! I want to have my wedding in a clearing in the woods. I want to have the path to the clearing lit with different kinds of things producing white light. These are perfect! I am going to use this idea for sure!
Thank you so much! I love them!
Karen
Laura – You’re welcome! I think a wedding in the woods sounds beautiful. You’re right! These orbs would be perfect. (provided you have a source for electrical) ~ karen!
Cerise
Fantastic idea! I’ll be on the hunt for those glass shades! I already have a box full of those silly Christmas lights.
Sarah
Wow! I love this! This past January I bought solar powered mini lights from Canadian Tire – I might have to dig those out and use them! Perfect solution, when you don’t want to run power cords, I just bought a house and I am fixing up our yard, it was a mess, and this is just what it needs to bring it up another level. Looks like I am stopping by Habitat for Humanity after work today!
Karen
Sarah – Last time I was in Habitat for Humanity they had ~scads~ of these lights! ~ karen
Sarah
I’m from the Sarnia area, and they always have lots of them! I’m heading there tonight!
thezenofmaking
Lovely! Thanks so much for sharing.
Karen
You’re very welcome! No sense keeping all this information to myself. ~ karen
Cindy
I LOVE the way these look! You’re so smart!
Teresa
I love this idea! I’ve actualy bought two new lampshades as there don’t seem to be any in the junk shops (I’m in the uk) ….would you believe my mini christmas lights have way too many lights on the string (I was jamming them into the shades and still had loads left over!)….so I am going to have to buy some new ones….. I don’t care though as it will still work out cheaper than buying new garden lights…..I hope!
Karen
Teresa! My mini lights were too long too! Just keep adding more shades until you have enough to accommodate all the lights! Or bury the lights under mulch. That’s another way to go too.
~ karen
Teresa
Ok… good idea! (better than just breaking the extra lights – which I had thought of doing…. :-S)
Love this website btw…have passed on to friends.
Karen
Thanks Teresa! I can use all the readers I can get. ~ karen!
Susan
I love, love, love these lights. I also love that you made them out of things that readily available and *CHEAP*!!!
You have a new fan in me ;o)
Bridget
I just found you through Pinterest, I love this idea, so simple yet stunning!! Way to go! I wish I hadn’t thrown out those half lit light strands last winter! I will be trying this a soon as I find some orbs. Did you already make the winter version?
Oooh, I bet it would look awesome with colored lights??
Karen
Thanks Bridget! I did do the winter version. Here it is. http://www.theartofdoingstuff.com/outdoor-holiday-planters/
And … here’s another way to use the shades for the summer. http://www.theartofdoingstuff.com/outdoor-orbs-part-ii-how-to-make-a-birdfeeder-from-glass-shades/ ~ karen!
Lindsay
This is such a good idea!So amazing for a for a front door or back steps is what I’m thinking.
Karen
Thanks Lindsay – Yup … I’ve moved them all around the yard and house! If you search for my “outdoor planters” you’ll see how I used them in my holiday planters. ~ karen
AGN
LOVE your black circle chair hiding in the shadows. Where did you get it?!?!!?
Karen
Well, AGN … I found it at the side of the road.
~ karen
Gina Smitasin
Love this idea and your yard.
ceng
I loved this idea and your site. tks I can’t wait to see winter yard ideas.
ceng
I forgot to ask. Did you do that backyard by yourself!!!???
Karen
Ceng – I did do the backyard myself. If you search “my backyard” or “my backyard like an idiot” you’ll find the post on it. ~ karen!
Valerie
This is genius! Thank you so much for sharing!!!
Genine
This was the best tip ever. Thank you for sharing
Karen
You’re very welcome Genine. It is pretty, good isn’t it, LOL? ~ karen
Tracy
fabulous! This is def going into my lazy girl garden/backyard project! =) (even the bird feeders)
Nancy
Love this! And your courtyard is FAB-U-LOUS. i am totally gonna copy it in my backyard. So if you find a random post somewhere that looks like your garden reproduced in Middle Tennessee… you can totally blame me.
Karen
nancy – Got it! I’ll keep a look out for it next time in Middle Tennessee.
~ karen
Jen Hoover
this is super coolness!!
however, take my advice and just get a recorder device, NOT a parrot
from jen a parrot owner!
Karen
Jen – Hah! My dentist has a parrot. It’s outlived most of his relatives. ~ karen
Becky @ Ballistic Gypsy
heh, thats like dumb easy. sheesh. Its times like this (after spending hours in Lowes looking a lighting ideas) that you just want to do a major face palm.
Karen
Becky – I know. I did that exact thing when I thought of it. Then I jumped up and down and squealed!
~ karen
JWH
I am so doing this and I am going to use some old colored lights when we decorate this next week for Christmas..Watch out Goodwill here I come.
Karen
Hi JWH. Next week I’m going to show how I’ve used the same shades indoors. Good luck at the Goodwill! ~ karen!
jean
I can hardly wait to try this. The orbs are simply beautiful.
Karen
Jean – They’re reallyyyy easy and the satisfaction from them is instant! Have fun. ~ karen
Ramona
What a great tip. But I’ve got to tell you, I love the commentary even more. Great writing style.
Karen
Thanks Ramona! ~ karen
Lorraine Dean
Karen,
I have been waiting to do this in my garden for ages, and it looks so great.
Love reading your post, and getting my daily dose of a good laugh and inspiration.
Keep up the good work.
Your biggest fan in Tasmania, Australia.
Nicole J @ Pampers & Pumps
What a simple and genius idea! Can’t wait to do this to my yard!
Karen
Nicole J – Once you start making them you won’t be able to stop. You’ll put them everywhere. Your yard, your house, your neighbour’s yard … ~ karen!
Jaime
I just have to say! This article was helpful and awesomely written! You made me laugh out loud! So funny!!!!
Karen
Thanks Jaime! Glad you found my site. ~ karen!
Daricia @aCLTgarden
absolutely brilliant! (no pun intended!) lovely idea all around. glad to see it on pinterest!
Karen
Daricia – Thanks! I’m pretty happy to see it on Pinterest too.
~ karen
Edba
I’m so glad I found this on Pinterest! I have some of those glass orbs already from old light fixtures that were in my home.
Did you ever do a post showing what you did in winter? I’d like to see that too!
Karen
Hi Edba – Yup … I’ve done a couple of other things with the orbs … http://www.theartofdoingstuff.com/outdoor-orbs-part-ii-how-to-make-a-birdfeeder-from-glass-shades/ for the summer and http://www.theartofdoingstuff.com/outdoor-holiday-planters/ for the winter. Welcome to my site! ~ karen
audrey
do this
kathy
I just wanted to tell you, you are a freaking genius!! That is just beautiful!
Karen
Thanks Kathy. I was just at a Goodwill store thinking to myself … look at that lonely glass shade. I should tell someone what they can do with it! Then I decided I’d better not. ~ karen
Judy Hoover
This is the best idea ever!!!!I have tons of old Christmas lights. May even use a few that twinkle. Wouldn’t that be cool? Thanks
Karen
You’re very welcome Judy! ~ karen
Cheri
I love this idea and look forward to reading more of your blog and seeing more fantastic projects! I love doing the “champagne taste on a beer budget” here! Or “decorating on a shoestring” as we say here in the south! It’s fun to brag about how little you spend!
I have pinned a couple of your pictures too!
Thanks for sharing~
Cheri
The Curtain Lady
Karen
Thank you ma’am. Welcome to the site. Sometimes I swear. Don’t be alarmed. ~ karen
Laura Wallace
You crack me up, love the way you write!! Cool orbs too, looking into this project before summer gets here. Thanks for sharing!!
Karen
Thanks Laura. Welcome to my site! ~ karen
Michelle
Genius! I love to reduce, reuse & recycle, but not look like I do! This is just perfect. Thank you!
Christen
I absolutely love this idea and just spotted some light covers at our local Re-Store so I can’t wait to make them! I included this idea in a weekly round-up on my blog. Thanks for the inspiration: http://www.ourlifestyled.com/2012/02/favorite-friday-travel-and-home.html
Karen
Thanks Christen! Yup. It’s a popular one that particular DIY.
~ karen
mona
I love this idea….can’t wait to try this in my yard….thanks for the inspiration.
Mona
Karen
You’re very welcome Mona! ~ karen
Amy
Gosh, I love the fountain the best. You kind of explained in another comment how to make it. But I need details, because this NEEDS to go in my yard. Your yard is beautiful! I would never leave
Karen
Hi Amy – Thx! Do you mean my waterfall? It’d take a whole lot more time than I have to explain how I did that! If you search “backyard” in the search bar of my sidebar you can see the whole backyard and how I rebuilt it all, including putting in a contemporary pond with slate waterfall.
Although I don’t include instructions on the waterfall, but there are a few construction pictures of it. ~ karen!
Reg
Found your site this morning after watching a segment on a local tv program. Absolutely love this site. Easy to navigate for those of us that are tech challenged and a certain ‘vintage’.
There are so many things I’m looking forward to reading and even trying to do if the mood strikes me.
The Glowing Outdoor Orbs will be first because it’s so easy and I have to do something with that mountain of tangled Christmas lights eventually.
Karen
Glad you found my site Reg! I actually started out my television career at TV Hamilton Cable 14 many, MANY years ago with Mike Nabuurs who is now on 820 Cham. Please remember to vote for me! It would be fantastic to have a Canadian win this thing. ~ karen
mary timmers
What a great idea! And just in time for summer!
Karen
Thanks Mary. ~ karen!
Carol Anne
Love this idea! I pinned it a while back. And today, was bumping around Pinterest again and found another project I was interested in. I went to the site and started looking around. I saw your project there, word for word. And no credit given. I had to find my original pin and let you know. http://interests11.blogspot.com/2012/03/glowing-outdoor-orbs.html
As I looked around this site, I saw tons of things I’d seen on Pinterest with no credits. Might want to look around and make sure none of your other projects are there!
I blogged for a while and this wouldn’t have sat well with me, so I wanted to let you know.
Karen
Thanks Carol Anne! I so appreciate you taking the time to let me know. I just filed a copyright infringement notice against them. ~ karen!
Judy Knipfer
It looks neat and I would like to try it. Do you have step by step instructions? Do you stuff the electric lights up into the globe or several globes? And do you bury the wire underground? Is this safe to use anywhere outside? And do you have other outdoor gardening tips?
Karen
Judy – Everything I’ve show you is all you need to know. Shove some old “outdoor” Christmas lights in the globes and plug em in.
Since they’re outdoor you don’t need to worry about safety. They’re meant for outside. And yes if you can and you want to, you can bury the wire as it runs to your plug. I have mine covered with mulch. My site has a few gardening tips dispersed throughout. I’m currently doing posts on creating a vegetable garden which you can watch for soon. ~ karen
Pat Jones
OK – I tried this just like you said, and they look awful! You can see the wires and individual light bulbs inside the globe! There isn’t a nice glow. Great idea, but what did I do wrong?
Shirley
Love your ideas…will be on the ‘lookout’ now for globes!!
Brenda
Wonderful idea- wish I hadn’t tossed the half lite string of lights now — thanks for sharing!
Karen
Thanks Brenda. They look great on a fireplace mantle too! Now go through your lights. You can bet a set that was working at Christmas will magically be not working now. ~ karen
Erin
Well Princess, that was the best tutorial EVER! I laughed out loud and woke my hubby up! That is such a great idea, as I am looking to update my yard into something other than…well ugly! Ha! And these little lights will be a fantastic piece to the gem I am going to create…i hope…gulp!
Karen
Erin – Oh hell. You’ll create them in about 5 minutes.
Now go do it! ~ karen
lucy
Love it! Ok….do I shove all the lites into one container then run the extention from there?
Karen
Lucy – Depends on how many globes you have. If you have a big string of lights, shove half of them in one globe, then place the second globe very close by and shove the rest of the lights into it. (you can cover up the few exposed bulbs you’ll have with mulch or dirt) And yes, the extension cord plug can be covered up by the globe and then run to your outlet. ~ karen!
Lee Hethcox
I groaned when I realized how many of those globes I’ve discarded..but I’ll get some more. Great idea!
I pinned it but made sure to credit your blog.
Karen
Thank you Lee! ~ karen
Sue
Brilliant! Love the way this looks! I know I stuck some of those glass shades in a cupboard somewhere. Off to make magic!
Cyndi
This is super! I’m lazy and I love simple! *L* I have several strings that only partially work and couldn’t just throw them away, now I know why I saved them. I’ll even try the colors ones for a different effect. Thanks for the idea.
Karen
Cyndi – You’re welcome! ~ karen
maureen
woo woo! you’re on curbly today!
http://www.curbly.com/users/craftmel/posts/13770-roundup-10-diy-outdoor-lighting-projects
deitre
you are a terrific writer, and hilarious to boot.
Karen
Thanks Deitre! ~ karen
Paula R Pfister
I just love this and will be working on making these this week while I’m on vacation. When I take my vaction, it’s just at home and catching up and finishing projects that I haven’t been able to complete. Also, I was curious about how you used them in the Winter, where do I find that info???
Thanks!!
Paula
Karen
Hi Paula – Thanks! Here’s the link to the way I use them in the winter (thanks for reminding me to add the link to this post). ~ karen!
Jeff
ummm i think you forgot to include the link here. Nothn is showin on my end anyway, haha. Am i goin loonie? BTW great ideer fr the lites. WOW!!!
MIA GEE
I did this same cool idea with inflated balloons and faux tealight that use a battery!
I just stretched the unflated balloon opening and place a turned on tealight in and blew it up! It orked great and I got many complements from my guests!
Cathy G
OMG….. I found you by accident, and what a great accident. I followed someone who followed someone who followed someone on Pinterest and there you were!! Your instructions are so good even a craft challenged person like me can follow!!
Thanks for your ideas and the humor to go with them…..now to clean up the coffee I spit at my computer laughing along with your stories!!!
Karen
Cathy! I’m glad you found me through someone who found me through someone who found me through someone. Stick around! Tomorrow’s post is on the great, big, bad world of laying sod. ~ karen!
Heather
Beautiful idea! I keep looking at outdoor lights but won’t buy them due to cost. Great alternative though.
Karen
Thanks Heather! I also have a few of the orbs in my house (on my mantle and in one of my bookcases). I like them even better inside! ~ karen
Ruth Gant
Love the look of these orbs. Do you have any suggestions for making these at a house that is totally solar?
Karen
Hey Ruth. I’ve emailed you my response. ~ karen!
Victoria
I just love the look these give off at night!! Will have to make some of my own. I featured this on my blog today: http://www.vixenmade.com/2012/06/10-diy-outdoor-projects.html
Karen
Thanks Victoria! Glad you like em. ~ karen
mary lou
I decorated a huge tent for my daughter’s wedding with white paper lanterns of all sizes with tea lights inside……this is a great idea for an outdoor wedding….
Karen
Mary Lou – It is indeed! Thx. ~ karen
Pam
Such a great idea…love it.
Karen
Thanks Pam! ~ karen
Crystal
I saw your globes and fell in love with them! But instead of using them outside and using white lights, I filled old flower vases with colored lights…now my kids have night lights! Thanks!