Over the years I have made several light bulb ornaments. When I mentioned that during Thanksgiving, several of you asked that I share them.
This pretty little angel is one of my favorites. I made this in December of 2000, hard to believe it’s been 9 years and she still hangs on my tree every Christmas! If she ever breaks, I will be devastated. My family knows NOT to mess with mom’s light bulb ornies, and no one tries to wrap them up, they hand them off to me when it’s time to take down the tree. ;)
Light Bulb Angel Ornament
Supplies
- burnt out light bulb
- rubbing alcohol
- acrylic paint in white pink, and flesh
- gold cord or ribbon
- gold craft wire
- wire cutters
- handful of tiny white silk flowers
- gold scrap material
- Fiberfil cotton batting
- three plastic white or iridescent flowers
- lace curtain remnant with a floral pattern
- 1 pair white nylon angel wings
- hot glue
- scissors
- black marker
Instructions
- Wipe bulb down with rubbing alcohol, this will help the paint adhere to the bulb. Let dry. Paint entire light bulb with white acrylic paint and let dry. Apply a second coat. If finish appears streaked, you can use a large paint brush or a sponge to blot on a “stucco” look. It is not necessary to paint the socket. Allow bulb to dry completely.
- While bulb is drying, cut out two large flowers from the lace curtain and fashion a halo from craft wire (leave enough wire to wrap around the bulb socket).
- When bulb is completely dry, wrap craft wire around bulb socket and manipulate wire upward so that halo is above the socket (head). Using gold fabric strip, glue in place all the way around the socket (almost at the end of the socket where it meets the bulb). Cover any remaining socket with Fiberfil. Prepare Fiberfil by taking small amount and rolling it between your hands to create “tubes”, glue in place. Above the gold band, one at a time, glue tiny silk flowers in place until entire socket is covered.
- Carefully paint face area on with flesh colored paint. Fashion a small bow from gold ribbon or cord and glue to the front of the bulb, about halfway down where the round part begins. Carefully glue iridescent or white plastic flowers around the bow (as pictured). Use the two lace curtain flowers to create a shawl by starting up behind the angel’s neck and working your way frontward and around. Do this for both sides, overlap where needed.
- Turn angel over in your hand, being careful not to put any pressure on the embellishments on the front, and glue angel wings to the back. Tie a loop in gold cord or ribbon and glue securely to the back of the angel just above the wings.
- Use black marker to draw on eyes and mouth. Using a small paint brush, blot off excess pink paint onto paper towel. When all excess paint is off of the brush, carefully and gently blot on cheeks. Hang!
Amanda Formaro
Amanda Formaro is the crafty, entrepreneurial mother of four children. She loves to bake, cook, make kid's crafts and create decorative items for her home. She is a crafting expert and guru in the kitchen and has appeared online and in print publications many times over the years. She is also the editor for the Home & Garden channel at Craft Gossip and owner of FunFamilyCrafts.com.
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Lynn Blizzard says
November 20, 2014 at 9:37 pmso pretty!
Amanda Formaro says
December 2, 2014 at 10:16 amThanks Lynn~!
Lisa Byk says
August 1, 2012 at 8:33 pmI just Love your light bulbs.
Amanda says
August 1, 2012 at 9:23 pmThanks so much Lisa!
CECILIA WILLIAMS says
October 23, 2011 at 10:21 amAmanda,
Your light bulb angel is very pretty. I will be trying this soon. I need to know what you made the wings out of. I didn’t read how to make them. Please send me the info.so I can get them made.
Thanks!
Amanda Formaro says
October 23, 2011 at 1:15 pmHi Cecelia, thank you for pointing that out. The wings are available in most craft stores in the doll making supply section. Here’s an example of what they look like http://www.bjcraftsupplies.com/dolls/angelwings2.asp and I have adjusted the supply list to reflect that as well. Thanks!
CECILIA WILLIAMS says
October 24, 2011 at 11:55 amThanks for letting me know. I am headed to buy some today.
E J Bechtel says
September 20, 2012 at 7:02 pmYou can also make the wings from lace or the netting from onion bags. I live in a small town in New Mexico and no craft stores. On-line buying is expensive with shipping, so I save everything and recycle. I am not a packrat or a hoarder, just an artistic crafter, like you Amanda. Your work is beautiful!!! EJ
Amanda says
September 21, 2012 at 1:50 pmThank you EJ! Great tip too!
Amanda says
December 10, 2009 at 1:30 pmThanks ladies! :)
lifeoftheparty says
December 4, 2009 at 4:29 pmWhat a great way to reuse old light bulbs! These are adorable…I love the penguin =)
Craft Passion says
December 1, 2009 at 10:11 pmThis is GREAT and BEAUTIFUL!!! You are so creative!!!!
sleepyhead designs studio says
December 1, 2009 at 3:58 pmThat is soooooo cute! I love recycled stuff–now I can start saving my burned out light bulbs.
Amanda says
December 1, 2009 at 3:28 pmNow that is creative!! You go girl!!
Blessings-
Amanda