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Here's an easy project for the kids. The painting is all done with a toothpick and cotton swab. It's a good idea to wipe your bulb with a little white vinegar to remove any oils that may be on the surface. Have the kids wash their hands before handling the lightbulb.

If you enjoy this craft, you may also like to see Frosty the Lightbulb.

Copyright © 1999-2008 Susan Spatone All rights reserved. Published with permission from CraftAtHome.com

Material:

Small Globe Lightbulb (bulb area almost the same size as a standard bulb)
Glass or Metal Paint (acrylics), Blue, Red, Black and White
Black Felt
Christmas Ornamental Scraps
6 inches of Black Ribbon
Cotton Swab (Q-tip)
Toothpick

How to:

You will need a circle of black felt, that is between 2 1/2 and 3 inches across. This circle can be a little crooked, in fact it looks much sweeter with a little jagged hat. Cut a small circle in the centre of your felt circle, a little smaller than the socket of the lightbulb. The felt will stretch when you pull it over the light socket.

Paint the socket of the bulb with black paint, using a cotton swab. Allow this paint to dry completely. Using a cotton swab, dipped in blue paint, add one dot for each eye, another cotton swab dipped in black paint for the nose and then wet a clean cotton swab, dip the wet swab in red paint, then in white and mix together on the swab. Gently dab a few dots to create the cheeks.

Using a toothpick dipped in red paint, paint a mouth and another toothpick dipped in black paint to add a few scribbled lines above the eyes.

Glue your strip of black ribbon, to the sides of the socket (the ribbon ends will be hidden under the hat), gluing all the way up the socket and at the top of the socket (see photo), pinching the ribbon together at the top of the socket. You need this extra secure for your hanger to remain in place. Allow the glue to dry completely before you continue.

Add a little ring of tacky glue around the socket edge, where it meets the bulb and pull the hat over the socket, down to the bulb. Press the felt hat brim against the tacky glue and allow to dry.

Once the glue is dry, using tacky glue add a few embellishments to the front of the hat. This not only looks pretty, it disguises the socket of the lightbulb. Everything is secured to the bulb using tacky glue only and it works perfectly.