Introduction: How to Make Earrings Using Old X-mas Lights Bulb

By 1st Indian Featured Author :).
About: An artist by birth, a software architect by choice, a lamp maker by passion, a learner forever. Featured Author here:)

What's the good thing about being a crafter? Any guess?? Well..can there be anything bad at all ...LOL!!

Besides other good things, my favorite one is that there is abundance of inspiration lying around in your craft supplies in the form of left overs from the past project and what not.

I found an old x-mas (or Diwali or whatever :D ) series light in my stash, it was broken and no one uses them anymore since the invasion of LED lights ;)

In this instructable I will show you how to make earrings using old x-mas lights bulb. This project is an excellent example of using left overs from the past projects, I will link to references for you to check out.

These earrings are so easy to make that I bet once you learn you can make dozens of them.

Lets make some earrings using old x-mas lights bulb.

Step 1: Supplies

To make earrings using old x-mas lights bulb, you will need the following items:

  1. Old bulb style x-mas lights.
  2. Earrings findings
  3. Some jewelry wire
  4. Some metal rod to make coils
  5. Some 10mm beads with large holes (large enough to pass the light bulb through it) . I had these few leftover chrome finish beads from my project titled "Woven ethnic necklace"
  6. Hot glue or other thick , quick dry glue.
  7. Flat nose plier
  8. Wire cutter.

For me most of the stuff was not required because I found many items as left overs from my past projects.

Step 2: Make Coils

I have copied this step from one of my past project titled "How to create cluster earring using wire coils" and I also found some left over coils to be used in this project, so essentially I am just adding this step for reader, I did not make any coils.

See images above and follow:

Throughout this project, this is probably the only little tedious task.

  1. Wrap wire around the rod to make around a 2 inch long coil
  2. Pick up the wire cutter.Decide a length and hold the coil using wire cutter such that when you press the cutter it should create a gap in the coil.
  3. Cut the coil at the gap.
  4. Using the flat nose plier, pull the first ring of wire such that it sits perpendicular on the coil end and in the middle of entrance. Make sure you hold the remaining coil firmly to avoid any gaps while you pull.
  5. Repeat 1-5 to make 2 such coils .

Why coils?
I was able to come up with my design quickly because I already have those coils.

Now you got the coils, lets jump to earring assembly.

Step 3: Extracting the Bulb

See images above and follow:

  1. These bulbs are connected to series using a plastic cap which is really easy to remove.
  2. Notice the two tiny wires peeking at the end of the cap. Pull them straight.
  3. Hold the cap and pull the bulb out.
  4. Grab your bead and insert the bulb in the hole .
  5. Notice the two wires peeking out of bead, cut them. The remaining wire stays inside and it will act as a bond between the bead and bulb when we glue.

Repeat above to make one more arrangement.

Once done, plug in your glue gun to heat.

Step 4: Final Assembly

See images above and follow:

  1. While the glue gun is heating, attach findings to the coils we made previously. Secure the loop opening in the coil properly using flat nose plier.
  2. Test to see if your glue gun is ready. Make sure there is no drop of glue at the nozzle.
  3. Hold the beaded bulb in one hand and insert the glue gun nozzle a little inside the bead.
  4. Press to release glue such that the inside of bead gets filled with glue. Make sure you don't over fill it .
  5. Quickly hold the coil and gently insert it in the bead. Do it before the glue dries. And do not press it harder else the glue may pop out and make the bead dirty.
  6. Hold it and blow some air using your mouth so that the glue begins drying . In a few seconds bead, bulb and coil are secured firmly.

Repeat to make another one.

I think you now know why I chose hot glue over any other glue.

And there you are with a gorgeous pair of earrings :).

And that's just one design my dear, the possibilities are limitless.

Thank you for your time to read this ible. Should you have questions or feedback, please share in the comments below.

If you choose to make it, please do share using the 'I made it' button.

If you like it, please share and vote.

You are awesome.

Stay Tuned.