I made this turkey light bulb several years ago for FamilyCorner.com. I really love the way he came out! At one point I was kind of on a kick with light bulb ornaments, you’ll see that in the coming days as I post my snowman, penguin and angel ornies. Painting on light bulbs isn’t hard, the trick is the make sure each layer of paint is completely dry before you start the next to avoid inadvertently peeling off the layer before.
There’s a printable version of these instructions here.
You will need
burnt out light bulb
small straw hat
2- 1 1/2″ wood hearts
acrylic paint: brown, orange, white and black
felt: red and orange
small silk flower
6-8 fall colored feathers
washer
paint brush
acrylic sealer spray
hot glue gun
white craft glue
pattern
What you do
Place light bulb on an empty upside down egg carton or anything else that will help hold it steady. Paint the entire surface of the light bulb with brown paint. Let this coat dry COMPLETELY or you may experience peeling on the second coat.
Paint the wood hearts with orange paint and let dry. Repeat for second coat. Using the pattern, cut out turkey waddle from red felt and beak from orange felt.
Hot glue small silk flower to the front of the straw hat, off to the side.
Add a second coat (and a third if needed) of brown paint to the light bulb. Let dry.
Glue the two hearts together at the sides, just above the points so that they form the feet. Use white craft glue to attach the washer to the hearts, this is what the light bulb will rest on. White craft glue is tackier and will hold better than hot glue for this purpose. (see photo)
Position the light bulb on to the washer. When you have it where you want it, glue it in place with white craft glue and let dry.
Hot glue the hat to the top of the light bulb. Use the handle end of the paint brush to add whites of eyes. Do not add the black part of the eyes until the white has dried.
Glue the beak and waddle below the eyes.
Hot glue feathers to the back of the light bulb in a fan for the tail.
Have a Happy Thanksgiving!
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- Family Handprint Turkey
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Larry Dahlen says
For Christmas I try to have some craft idea for the grandkids to work on. I’m going to add Thanksgiving and see how they do with this turkey, It looks pretty neat.
Alice Peterman says
I made a little variation to your original idea but truly enjoyed the craft.. I put top hats on the guys and bonnets on the gals.
Verna Hebert says
I purchased plastic light bulb shaped ornaments last year. I think I will try this with one. I also will look for the snowman one too. I have about 6-8 of them.
Amanda Formaro says
Good idea Verna! Hope you enjoy making them!
Danielle Herzog from Martinis and Minivans says
I’m writing a post about crafts I wish I could make. Do you mind if I include this one? I’ll also include a link to your post in it. Let me know – thanks!
Amanda Formaro says
Hi Danielle :-) You are welcome to feature the project provided you do not reprint the tutorial, simply link over to the craft here. And you may use the picture. Thanks for the feature!
susan says
I just Love all your wonderful craft ideas! These light bulb Turkeys are so cute. Thanks for sharing.
Amanda Formaro says
Thanks so much Susan, glad you like him! :)
Tammy says
How cute.. I have done Christmas Ornament out of the light bulbs but I have never thought of doing the Turkey’s before. I like this idea a lot!! I am always trying to find another cute turkey idea and I love to recycle things when I make my crafts!!
mary says
love the turkey,so glad i saved some of my old light bulbs. you have wonderful cute ideas. thank you so much. keep up the good work.
Amanda says
You guys are awesome, thanks!
Tammy@ Not Just Paper and Glue says
This is adorable! What a great way to recycle!
Lori says
NO. FREAKING. WAY. I LOVE it. I'm totally going to try this. I love you! I gotta think where in my house I have one of those bulbs. I replaced nearly all of them with the squiggly ones. Wait! Laundry room! There is one in there! Awesome idea!
Tammy says
I love this! I'm all over kids' crafts. Thanks for sharing!
amy says
so cute!
Amanda says
Thank you April!
April says
This is too cute!
Amanda says
Thanks everyone!
Nike@ChooseToThrive says
Adorable!!
Jamie says
My kids will love this!!! So adorable and so simple. Thank you for sharing. I'm a new follower
http://diyhshp.blogspot.com
Life with the Lebedas says
Oh my gosh, that is too cute!! Thanks for sharing and linking up on Craftify It Thursday!
the cape on the corner says
such a fun idea! i wish i had saved all my burnt out bulbs!
http://www.thecapeonthecorner.blogspot.com
Amy (naptimecrafters) says
too cute! Linking up to the Turkey Show at somedaycrafts.blogspot.com on Nov. 12
sleepyhead designs studio says
Okay–this is sooo cute too. And I love the glove turkey! I just signed up to follow your blog-such cute ideas!
Rena says
This is great! I wish I had seen it last week though. Rats.
seemommysew says
That is so cute! If you live in the US, you should enter the tutorial contest I'm hosting: http://seemommysew.wordpress.com/2009/11/01/the-great-tutorial-contest/
Craft Passion says
This is awesome and cute!!!! love it…mmmm got to collect some burnt out bulbs around the house!!!
Creative Craft Ideas says
HA HA HA HA. this is so funny. and so cute. HA HA HA.
Anne
Craftzilla says
Agreed, this is adorable! I think on mine I'd put a little felt top hat. You know, for formal occasions.
Gina says
I love this! We've used light bulbs for penguins-but we might have to try this this week. Thanks for sharing it.
artsy_momma says
That is so cute! I can't wait to see the snowman and penguin- my son LOVES penguins :) I would love for you to share this on my Thanksgiving MckLinky if your interested ~
http://craftsandartforchildren.blogspot.com/2009/11/thanksgiving-fun-mcklinky.html