If you want to brighten up a room with a specially painted bulb, it's easy. You'll need at least one clear bulb measuring 40 watts or less, a special paint for heat-resistant glass, and some creativity. You can also use old light bulbs to make a variety of unique decorations for your home. Use any bulb and any type of paint to recycle used bulbs into new decorations.
Step
Method 1 of 3: Making Colorful Bulbs
Step 1. Choose a 40 watt clear bulb
Bulbs under 40 watts can also be used. Just make sure the paint can withstand the heat the bulb produces once it's lit.
- A clear bulb will do the best for light penetrating the paint.
- You can use frosted glass bulbs, but they won't produce as bright a light as clear bulbs.
Step 2. Purchase a special heat-resistant glass paint
Purchase a paint made specifically for glass or safe for painting ceramics, at your local craft store. Do not use acrylic paints or regular oil-based paints. When the bulb is turned on, ordinary paint on the hot glass can cause the bulb to explode.
Examples of paints that can be used include DecoArt Glass-tiques, Decoart Liquid Rainbow, FolkArt Gallery Glass Liquid Leading, and Vitrea from Pebeo
Step 3. Clean the bulb with spirit
The surface of the bulb must be clean and dust-free for the paint to adhere properly. Soak a cotton ball in spirit and then wipe the bulb.
- Use soap and water if you don't have spirits.
- Dry the bulb with a clean cloth or air dry for 1-2 minutes.
Step 4. Mount the bulb with the Sticky Tack
Use a little blue Sticky Tack to seat the bulb in its socket so it doesn't roll off when painted. Blue Sticky Tack is available at craft or stationery stores.
You can also use Play-doh or clay if you don't have the blue Sticky Tack
Step 5. Use a small brush to paint
Apply a thin layer of the first color, then see the results. You can also paint or use prints with removable stickers, or printouts from paper that you design yourself.
- Paint a detailed image on the bulb, cover it with stars or flowers, or just make simple squares of color to create a stained glass or rainbow effect.
- For a Halloween bulb, paint a pumpkin or a ghost on the bulb.
- For Christmas lights, paint the bulbs red and green or with snowflakes.
Step 6. Dry the paint by aerating it in the air for 1 hour
If you are using a special glass paint, leave the bulb on the Sticky Tack for 1 hour to dry. Do not touch the bulb until it is completely dry.
Step 7. Add a coat of paint if you want a lighter color
Some glass paints may require an additional coat to get the effect you want. Allow each coat to dry before applying the next layer.
Step 8. Dry the bulb by heating it in the oven if the paint's drying instructions require it
Some glass paints, especially paints for ceramics, must be heated. Follow the directions on the paint package for how to heat the bulb in the oven.
- Remove food or cooking utensils from the oven before you use them to dry the bulbs.
- Place the bulb on a baking sheet that is safe for use in the oven if the instructions for use suggest so.
- Leave the preheated bulb in the oven until it cools completely.
Method 2 of 3: Making Ornaments from Bulbs
Step 1. Make a hot air balloon from a light bulb for a unique decoration
Use glass paint to create a hot air balloon design on the bulb to your liking. Glue four strands of string to the sides of the bulb and tie them all together at the top. Make a loop from one of the strings to hang the bulb, then cut out the rest.
Instead of painting the design on the bulb, you can glue the scraps with decoupage glue before attaching the string
Step 2. Make a turkey out of bulbs for a fall celebration
Paint the entire bulb a dark brown color and allow it to dry completely. Paint 2 small heart-shaped sticks in orange, then dry them. After that, glue them side by side to form the turkey legs on the wide part of the bulb. Glue a pair of doll eyes and an orange flannel beak to the front of the bulb to make a turkey face.
- Glue 6-8 fall feathers to the back of the turkey in a fan pattern.
- Attach a small, craft store-bought straw hat to the turkey's head, if you like.
Step 3. Create the snowman ornament
Paint the bulb with decoupage glue and sprinkle white glitter until it covers the entire surface. Allow it to dry, then use black embossed paint to create the snowman's face and the buttons on his shirt. Position the socket on the top and the bulb on the bottom. Glue small sticks with hot glue to the sides of the bulb to make hands. Tightly tie the string to the socket and make a knot to hang the bulb to the Christmas tree.
For best results, use a white ice glass bulb
Step 4. Make a Santa ornament for the Christmas tree
Draw oval-shaped clouds on the bulb as the outline for Santa's face. Paint the cloud image with skin-colored acrylic paint. Paint the rest of the bulb with white acrylic paint and paint the socket at the top with red.
- Place the painted bulb on top of the Play-Doh and let it dry for 1 hour.
- Draw Santa's face with a permanent marker in the dried skin-colored “clouds”.
- Glue a small cotton ball to the top of Santa's red hat (on the socket) with craft glue. Tie a string or fishing line around the hat and make a knot to hang it.
Step 5. Make a penguin from a bulb
Paint the entire back and sides of the frosted glass bulb black. Leave an hourglass-shaped white color on the front. Leave it to dry. Cut the fingertips of the children's gloves to make a hat for the penguin and glue the pom-poms to the top. After that, glue it to the top of the socket. Tie an 8-10 cm long shiny gold ribbon into a bow tie and tie it around the penguin's neck.
- Use a black permanent marker to draw the penguin's eyes near the hat and the buttons on the front, starting at the bottom of the tie.
- Cut about 0.5 cm of the pointed end of the toothpick and glue it to the penguin's face to make a beak.
Step 6. Make a reindeer from a bulb
Use colored light bulbs or paint the clear bulbs the color you want. Let it dry. Glue the red pom-pom to the base of the bulb, opposite the socket. These pom-poms will become deer noses. Glue a pair of doll eyes just below the socket. Tie a 20 cm long shiny ribbon neatly around the socket, forming a bow tie.
Curl the brown pipe cleaner 15 cm long in a U shape, then make a few smaller bends at each end to form a horn. Glue the horns to the top of the socket, behind the tape
Method 3 of 3: Making a Vase from a Bulb
Step 1. Use tweezers to remove the brass elements and wires
Take the tweezers to pinch the small end of the bulb, then twist it. Once twisted, the brass element and one of the wires leading to the filament will come loose. Pull out the section with pliers.
Wear gloves and protective eyewear when disassembling the bulb, in case the bulb breaks
Step 2. Use a screwdriver to pry out the contents of the tube inside the bulb
Once the inside of the bulb is visible, you'll find a small tube that connects to the rest of the bulb. Pierce with a screwdriver and break the tube. Once the tube is removed, other small parts can be pulled out easily.
Empty the contents of the bulb onto a paper towel or cloth that can be easily disposed of
Step 3. Clean the inside of the bulb with soapy water
Take the empty bulb to the sink. Fill it with water and a few drops of dish soap. Shake the bulb and then discard the soapy water.
Step 4. Dry the bulb with a paper towel
Roll up a paper towel and insert it into the bulb to dry and wipe off any powder or glass shards that remain inside. Dry the remaining water with aerated.
Step 5. Paint the socket or bulb glass for added shine
Use nail polish or acrylic paint to paint the design on the vase. Or you can just paint the sockets for a simpler look. Allow the paint to dry completely before filling the vase with water and flowers.
Fill the vase with water and flowers. Pour the water into a bulb vase and put the short cut flowers in it. The weight of the water will allow the vase to stand on its own
Step 6. Tie a string around the socket for an antique look
If the vase is hanging, tie string or ribbon around the socket. Hang the vase on the veranda or patio, or hang it on a hook in the house.
Step 7. Done
Warning
- Do not use ordinary acrylic paints or oil-based paints for bulbs that are going to be electrically ignited. The effect of paint on hot glass after the light is turned on can cause the bulb to explode.
- Wear gloves and protective eyewear when you are going to punch holes in the bulb to make a vase.
