Crawling through junk shops makes me happy on 99 kinds of levels. I’m happiest when I can find something that’s rusty, worn out and pretty much cast aside. Not only are those items generally cheap as chips, the bonus is the challenge of figuring out how to repair them – or better yet recycle them into something that I need. This light fixture is a great example. Picked up a local shop for less than $1, the rusty, crusty lure of it caught my eye, even though it was no longer functional with a missing cord. So what’s a girl to do? Turn it into an outdoor fixture, of course! With a thrift store find and a simple solar light, I made a unique fixture.
The missing cord didn’t matter much, since I wouldn’t be needing it – but luckily it had this hoop to hang it from. I promise I cleaned it up as best as could be…. this was truly one of those lovely vintage pieces that had lots of… ummm… patina.
I picked up a solar light at Walmart for about $3 in the garden section. Did you know those little tubes come off of them? Yep! All you’re gonna need is the bulb portion.
And if you’re looking for more great outdoor ideas, my friend Andrea has listed 26 of the best I’ve seen. Love all her ideas for getting out and having more fun.
Speaking of fun… Lisa has come up with a list of fun things to do with the kiddos – we all need those ideas to keep away the “I’m bored!” blues, huh?
Happy Friday!
gina says
Clever! I’m curious as to whether the light still soaks up the energy with the fixture around it.
Gina Shabby Creek says
Hi Gina (great name by the way 🙂
Yep, it’s still working great, even with the fixture around it. It charges great and lasts all night.
Thanks for stopping by!
Gina
Mom says
So does the top (where the solar panel is) have a hole for the sun to get thru?
housevintage says
I love this, industrial chic and cheap!
Anne says
what a fabulous idea! You are so clever!!!
allisamazing says
What a great idea and it looks amazing!
Shauna@Satori Design for Living says
Brilliant! So often the solar lights are less than charming and you’ve found a way around that.
Michele {The Scrap Shoppe} says
LOVE this, Gina!! Pure brilliance. 🙂 I had the same question as Gina above, so I’m glad to hear it still absorbs the light without problem. Something like this may end up on my patio!
Angie CountryChicCottage says
Love it!! 🙂
GirlRural.com says
Gina, once again I have to say “genius!” I LOVE this idea and these lights are easy to find in junk shops out where everyone has chickens. I just have to do this.
Courtney Hooper says
Love this!! Great idea!
Sara says
Totally going to look for some cast off fixtures. This is brilliant!! (wish I had a light bulb graphic to insert here…)
Daniela @Frugal Aint Cheap says
What a fantastic idea!!! Looks perfect above your swing!
Unknown says
Ohhh great idea. I am going to a junk market tomorrow and am thinking I would love to do this on a chandelier for my porch!! Thanks so much for the inspiration!!
Richella says
You are a brilliant woman, Gina. This is so cool! And what a nice romantic glow that light casts, right where you need it. Love it!
Bliss says
Just what Richella above me said.
~Bliss~
Stacy Risenmay says
I love this idea! My house is super old and there are no outdoor electrical sockets so even if a light had a cord I couldn’t use it. This is perfect!!!
- Brittany aka Pretty Handy Girl says
Whoa! That is amazing and so adorable! Love it Gina!
Erin Spain says
This is so clever! Great job!!
-Erin @ DIY On the Cheap
Brenda says
I love it! Never realized you could use those lights off those little stakes- so smart!
amanda says
Love this. We spend our vacation time with our five kids in remote northern Ontario, our cabin in water access only, and there is no electricity. We LOVE this. But it’s nice to have a light for seeing around after dark.
Solar lighting would be so much safer than candles or gas lanterns!
And super cute, too. Nice job!
Janine LaTulippe says
Totally awesome. I can’t wait to try this. Why don’t they sell these at the store? Thanks for sharing. Hope to see you at True Aim.
Deboakley says
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Deboakley says
I wonder if you could use heavy duty/industrial velcro instead of hot glue? I’m just thinking that when the battery has lost all of it’s charge (which they do eventually), you’d want to replace it, and if it’s glued in, one wouldn’t be able to do that.
I absolutely love this idea! Those little solar stakes are not real attractive, and they’re so small that they don’t look all that great lining a path. This is a wonderful idea for using them in a more practical, and very creative way!
Gina Shabby Creek says
Hi Deboakley,
I guess you could use velcro, I didn’t think of that! My other lights have been working 4+ years, and I’ve never changed the battery. That’s a great idea, though!
tracih says
Where is the solar panel located? I love this idea too…just trying to figure out how it works. We have used solar lighting some in the past but my experience has been that unless the solar panel comes into direct sunlight for many hours, they will not charge. I would love to try this idea.
Gina Shabby Creek says
Hi Traci,
The panel is inside the bulb, and apparently doesn’t need direct contact because it’s charging great! But, you could always just unhook it in the morning to flip it over and let it charge if need be 🙂
stefanie says
LOVE this!!!
hahaha, I have that same old burn the heck out of your finger glue gun!
Shelly @A Creative Space says
Just in case you are not tired of hearing it… Fabulous, totally fun idea. Patina… great word. I don’t have anything like that, I’ll have to find some old cans, or SOMETHING!!! 🙂
Suzanne@Meridian Road says
Pure genius!
Mercedes says
love. Love. LOVE!
Susie~From My Home To Yours says
Definitely one of the best, original ideas I’ve seen in a while! We’ll all be lighting up the night soon…
Blessings, Susie
Liz - Imageremix says
Thanks for the “how to”. creative, crafty and clever. Sweet! Found you at Funky Junk. Hope you’ll stop over and visit my place at Quirky Vistas!
Liz
ZoeB says
I’ll bet a metal colander would would be interesting and let out an interesting pattern of light.
Lisa Rusczyk says
Love this idea!
Herballistic Garden says
Very ingenious! I didn’t think something like that would work unless the sun could reach the solarpad…but apparently it does! Wow! Thanks. 🙂 wendy
Laura Ingalls Gunn says
Gina this is brilliant AND those outdoor lights will be on end of season clearance really soon! 🙂
Burlap Bag Lady says
Gina this is a great idea! I already have some light fixtures that I have had laying around for a while which i picked up from a garage sale knowing something great like this would come along!
Thank you =]
Brittney says
I am going to do this! AMAZING!
Bernadette says
Great idea but how will the energy get in if the solar panel is upside down?
Gina Luker says
It doesn’t have to have direct light – it’s still working years later.