Recycling Craft Projects
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Light Bulbs- How to Recycle With Style
by Laurie McClearn
Light bulb recycling is a growing hobby, limited only by your own creavity. This light bulb recycling project shows just how attractive that old, burned out bulb can be!
Further down the page, we have lots of recycled light bulb ideas for Christmas, Halloween, and other holidays.
Recycled light bulb - Faux Birdhouse Bulb:
- burned out light bulb
- flat primer spray paint for the base coat
- acrylic paints in hunter green, white, dusty rose and blueberry
- small sections of raffia
- very thin pieces of grapevine
- florist's wire
- acrylic sealer spray
You switch on the light and "poof" the bulb is a goner! Don't throw that burned out bulb away, let it "brighten-up" your room in a completely new way!
We are told it's wise to recycle but, aside from tossing light bulbs into the recycle bin, how can you re-use them? Create a unique ornament. The possibilities are virtually endless with this project. Use them to create Christmas or Halloween decorations (check out all the light bulb crafts shown below). Or make this faux birdhouse lightbulb.
General Directions:
For the birdhouse recycled bulb, I used a primer spray so that my craft paints would better adhere. After it dried I just painted on a design then sprayed on a sealer and added some "camouflage" to the metal part of the bulb. This is just one example of what you can do with an ordinary light bulb. Paint it, decoupage it, sponge or texture - it's up to you. One caution: I would NOT recommend you use a decorated light bulb in a light fixture. While there are high temperature paints on the market, I am not sure of the results one would achieve and ordinary craft paints should not be used on extreme heat. (At best it will bubble, worst yet it could catch on fire.)
Enjoy and have fun finding new uses for the ordinary light bulb!
Light Bulbs Recycled for Christmas
Since this article was first published, the list of recycled light bulbs on our site has grown extensively. They are a natural for Christmas decorating, but also look great painted and decorated for Halloween or other holidays (below right).
Each project includes free photos and instructions to help you complete the craft successfully.
 Snowman BulbEasy snowman bulb for kids to paint. |  Angel light bulb CraftTree topper angel is a recycled light bulb in disguise. |  Elf light bulb CraftFree elf painting pattern for a recycled Christmas light bulb. |  Frosty the Light bulbMake a Frosty the Snowman light bulb or a Light Bulb Snow Baby. |
 Rudolf the Light BulbLet rudolf light the way! |  Santa light bulbFollow our free pattern to make a painted Santa light bulb. |  Victorian Doily light bulbAdd an old-fashioned touch to your tree with this doily light bulb. |  Cardinal light bulbDecorate a used light bulb. |
Great crafts!! Fun and easy to do. Love this site, will return for more craft ideas.
okay, well i for starters think that this is a great idea! me and my friends are doing a project fior school, and we are using these as in idea! sounds great!
Well we heard Radiohead were doing it so we just copied them! ,
Holmes, who plays a coworker chock full of amused responses. ,
Love the ideas, I'm not so much earth concious (should be) but I am a pack rat and hate to throw things away. I haven't tried it yet but how about turning the lightbulb upside down and making a hot air balloon. Maybe with string and a very small wicker basket. Maybe even like a mobile (not for children) but to hang from the ceiling. Suspending it with colorful string, maybe some bead work. I don't know, just a thought. Keep up the great crafting.
Love the ideas...what a GREEN way to recycle light bulbs...
I LOVE YOUR RECYCLED LIGHT BULBS. I HAVE DONE SOME OF MY OWN IN THE PAST AND PLAN TO TRY SOME OF YOURS. I SUGGEST YOU SPRAY PAINT THE BULBS WITH A FLAT SPRAY PAINT BEFORE YOU START. THEN YOU CAN USE ANY ACRYLIC CRAFT PAINT YOU CHOOSE AND EVEN ADD A CRACIKLE FINISH IF YOU CHOOE. LET THE PAINT DRY AND ADD A SPRAY ON ACRYLIC FINISH AND YOUR BULB WILL LAST FOR YEARS TO COME WITH NO SCRATCHES. HAVE FUN!!!!!!!!!
thats a great idae try pulling ot the gutts and swerl some sand in it to take off the inside coating then fill it with any thimg or sand art that'cool too!
Can something be funky and adorable at the same time?
Every time I throw out a light bulb I cringe. Another thing in the landfill! Now I can do something creative with them. 'Love the Halloween characters.
Thanks for the free craft ideas, esp. the recycled light bulbs. I have a hugh box of light bulbs that I've been saving for just these type ideas....thanks, Lonnie
Recycled Light Bulbs for Halloween
Light bulb Pumpkin
Recycled light bulb pumpkin decoration.
Light bulb Witches
Paint a witch face on a burned out light bulb.
Light bulb Witch
Recycled Halloween light bulb witch.
Recycled Light Bulbs for Easter and Other Occasions
Ducky Light Bulb
Dress a light bulb as a duck? Why not!
Decoupage Light Bulb
Pick a pretty paper and decoupage a light bulb.
