Here we go! Thanks to all of you who voted for what would be the next challenge – and this week it begins: The “Hack” Challenge, where each week we come up with a new DIY project, upcycling an item from it’s original purpose into something new, usually some kind of home decor or furniture type project. And so onto week 1… Solar Powered DIY Paper Lamps!
Generally when I come up with an idea for something I would like to turn into a lamp or use in lighting, I run into the same problem: it is not an object that would be safe to light with an interior candle, and it can not be easily wired. But for this week’s project, you don’t have to worry about either one. Since these are solar powered, they don’t need any wiring, and there is no flame to worry about. We’re “hacking” into yard solar lamps to create our own glowing paper lamps. I think these would be lovely in a collection as part of a centerpiece for a dinner table, or lining a deck railing for an evening gathering, or anywhere ambient lighting would be a nice touch!
All you need are…
– some solar powered lawn lights, one for each lamp. You can pick these up for just a couple dollars.
– an old illustrated book (encyclopedias are perfect because of the variety of types of images!)
– and a pair of scissors
Make sure you get the type of solar lawn light that has a square head, and then stand them outside in direct sunlight to get their charge.
Choose an page from the encyclopedia, or whatever paper you choose to use, that has a design you want to be the “shade” of the lamp, bearing in mind that whatever is on the back of the page will also shine through. Cut a square out of that page. The size ratio that I used was this: for a 2.2 inch square solar lamp head, I used a 5.5 inch square paper. Here is how you turn that piece of paper into an origami box to use as the “shade” for your mini-lamp:
I made three separate paper “shades” for the lamps, all from the same encyclopedic volume from 1965: one was an outer space photograph, one was a map, and one was simply text.
Once the solar lights have charged, bring them inside, and disconnect the top, which contains the light bulb, from the rest of the body. You’ll probably be able to do this by simply partially twisting the top and then lifting.
Fit the paper box shade onto the solar light unit. If there is still a fair amount of light where you will be displaying these, you’ll probably need to sit them face up, so that the solar panel is downward, and not absorbing any light, so that the light will turn on, as shown in the first photo below. But if it will be dark, I think they also look very nice displayed on their side, as shown in the second photo below. Either way, you now have a unique piece of ambient lighting, which can be changed to a completely different design by simply making a new origami box to go on top!
Remember to recharge the lights before their next use – just remove and set aside the paper, and reattach the light to the top of the yard light, and put it back outside!
So, what do you think of week one of the hack challenge?
What type of paper would you use on top of your lamps?
Leave your thoughts and comments below, I love to hear from you! :)
this is sooo cool! if only i can get my hands on some solar powered lawn lights in manila…
Ah, sorry! I’m sure you could buy them online, but I doubt it would be worth it, with the shipping and everything. But I’m glad you liked the idea! :)
A neighbor of mine has several of those solar-powered lamps. He told me they bought theirs from Ace Hardware. I’m quite sure those are available in any major hardware store. :)
In the US, yes, they are very common – I’m just not familiar with what is available in Manilla, where Ea lives.
Love it!
Thanks! :D
I saw your description on the Etsy board and I was like, “How the heck is she going to make a solar lamp?!” But this makes more sense. And I appreciate that there’s no electrical work involved, ha ha.
Haha, yeah, definitely more of a hack project than creating from scratch :)
You clever thing — I am so impressed!
*blushes* Aw, thanks. :)
What an awesome tutorial! So simple and the effect is beautiful. Thanks for sharing!
Thanks, I’m glad you like it! :)
This is WICKED cool! Totally going to give it a try. You can never have too many things that glow around, in my opinion.
Agreed! :D
This is very cool! I’ve also heard people using battery-powered tealight “candles” in paper-diy lights. But solar powered is even better! :)
Yeah, battery powered tea lights can definitely work for a lot of projects, too, that is a good point!
Wow! These are so fabulous! In fact, they were such a cool and creative idea, I featured your post over on craftgossip.com (http://indiecrafts.craftgossip.com/2012/05/11/solar-paper-lamps/) . I hope you don’t mind. (But if you do, just let me know and I’ll take it down.)
Thanks for sharing this idea!
Thanks for sharing, Rosie! :)
GREAT WAY TO SAY THANK TO A TEACHER!!! This is what we will be doing!!:) AWESOME THINKING!! Love it’
Glad you love it! Yeah, with the education pages, I see the connection to teachers. Fun!
honestly, your blog is FANTASTIC. I love, love, love the bible printables.
Thanks, Marissa! I’m glad you like them, and I hope you’ll find them encouraging :)
I love it, I want to make some for my children’s room :) A nice “nightlight” idea I think, could even have them design the papers we use :)
Yes, when I made them, it occurred to me that they would be nice nightlights, but forgot to mention it in the post, so thanks! And great idea to have the kids draw on the paper! :)
i just want to try it!!! only… i’m not sure i’m stronger enough for “destroy” a book, and change it so definitively!
(i’m one of that person who really love fisical book, never write on them or fold the pages… but maybe i have some books that i don’t like… only have to search for them!!)
Oh, I love to go to old book stores and buy books that are maybe messed up on the outside or have out of date information, like old encyclopedias, that I buy just to be able to use the pictures and pages inside them. I definitely don’t use nice books I want to be able to read or really antique books or anything like that, just books that no one wants any way. :) Thanks Fede! Nice to “see” you again :)
You can also find books at flea markets and garage sales. Five for a buck would be a steal!
I also thought of doing seasoned themed lights. Heavy wrapping paper maybe? Halloween, Christmas, Valentines Day…..?
I couldnt understand 8 through 10, could you please explain :) Sorry, i just really want to make these because they look amazing but i cant finish them.
Sure, Caitlin! Those steps are kind of hard to explain, especially in pictures or with words … luckily this type of origami box is a very common one to make, so here is a video I found on YouTube of someone making the same type of box- hopefully watching them do those steps will give you a clearer idea of those last steps :)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f_OfQW2Kkv8
These are so cool and simple. I have a screened patio and these would be perfect just outside of it. I see these lights at the dollar stores, Family Dollar, Walmart, everywhere.
This would be a FANTASTIC beginning to a table centerpiece! I also like the nightlight idea someone mentioned! :)
Great idea! Love to recycle, reuse, reduce:-)
I saw solar powered lawn lamps at Target last week for $5 each….
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