It all started with spotting this item at a garage sale. leaf "cage" ( photo / image / picture from cherylad's Garden ) It had plastic flowers tucked into it. They immediately went into the garbage. Now... how would I use it in the garden? Plant it up? Nope... trying to get away from containers. Maybe a cute jar or something, maybe with flowers painted on it? Nah... where would I find that? But I kept coming back to the idea of a jar. So off to "that website" with all the crafty ideas I went. Figured out what I wanted to do - SOLAR LIGHT - and then the hunt started for a jar that would fit inside, preferably colored. Stopped at the nearest resale shop and found it (actually found a couple that might work). Then to Wallyworld for the solar light. blue jar ( photo / image / picture from cherylad's Garden ) I used some weather-stripping to help the light fit snug into the jar. Added some blue marbles I had on hand. Found an old hook I picked up from somewhere and out it went to the pole. ( photo / image / picture from cherylad's Garden ) All lit up ( photo / image / picture from cherylad's Garden ) Yippee! That looks pretty neat, I thought. But I still wasn't completely satisfied. It would look great in orange (my fav color) and it is that time of year. So, back to the crafty site for instructions on how to paint a glass jar. I had picked up a second clear jar at the resale shop, just in case. I tried several paints and techniques and finally got it right. Switched over the solar light assembly and it was done. ( photo / image / picture from cherylad's Garden ) But was it too opaque to even see the light? Darn, maybe I need to find another jar and try it again? Nope... it worked perfectly! All it up ( photo / image / picture from cherylad's Garden ) It actually puts off a better glow than the blue one. But was I done with lights yet? While I was at that resale shop looking for painted jars, I found this lamp globe that was too cute to leave behind. It wouldn't fit in the "leaf cage", so I was just going to tuck it away. But I found an old lamp base that fit it perfectly. While I was getting a solar light for the jar, I picked up a smaller one just in case. Guess what? it fit perfectly. solar "lamp" ( photo / image / picture from cherylad's Garden ) So it found a home by the front porch in the old ice cream maker. Does a nice job of lighting up the steps too! All lit up ( photo / image / picture from cherylad's Garden ) So... that's it for lights, right? HAH! Not so fast! I found another one of those "cages" on sale at the craft store and actually have a jar at the house that fits it perfectly. Haven't decided what exactly to do with it yet, but y'all will be the first to know!
Truly crafty work Cheryl! I do see what was lacking in the blue jar i.e. too transparent. However the orange jar just jumps out at you The blue marbles are a nice addition. Thanks for taking the time to put together this photo journal for us.
WOWOWOWOWOW, those are scrumptious!!! I have a metal cage in my junque stash (what junquer doesn't :-D ) and jars and I actually have an assortment of solar lights in the closet (we pick them up from Harbour Freight to have just in case.) Great Idea!!
I'm green as a pea!! I want lights just like yours but there's nowhere around here that I know of to get any. They are so beautiful and look a treat in your garden.
I am impressed! They look fantastic and I really appreciate the step by step pictures too. My question is do you buy the solar light with just the solar panel and bulb or do you take apart a solar light (that sticks in the ground or hangs) and just use those parts?
Thanks everyone. Mart, I was thinking of painting more jars (if I can find ones I like) to change out for the seasons. Maybe a red one for Christmas? Frank, After all the paint I went through trying to figure it out, I'm pleased with the outcome. I put some orange marbles in this one, but you can't really see them. So I think I'll just take them out and use somewhere else one day. Toni, Of course you have a metal cage! LOL Can't wait to see what you do with it. Eileen... I'm sure you can find something over there... maybe it's time you went on a junk finding mission? 2ofus.. I just bought a regular solar light that sticks in the ground. Removed the stake part and just used the top portion. The one I found almost fits perfectly in a wide-mouth jar. I took the ring with me to the store just to make sure. Thanks again everyone!
I'm finishing other one today. It took me all week to get the color right. Instead of the bright, opaque color like the orange one, I went a different route and settled for a transparent pale blue. I think it suits the cage better that a bright color. pale blue solar light jar ( photo / image / picture from cherylad's Garden ) Nice soft glow ( photo / image / picture from cherylad's Garden )
Your garden must look so lovely at night with those lanterns lit. I still can't find anything similar around here but I'll keep looking.
Eileen... I found this cage at a big craft store called Michaels. They are all over the U.S. Maybe there's something like that over there?
