Tuesday, December 16, 2008

Vintage Light Reflector Idea


Yes, I am still decorating for the Holidays. Actually, I have just started. This year will be simple and sparse, as I sold most of my Christmas decorations at our garage sale in October. I realized this past weekend I inadvertently got rid of all my twinkly lights. Ooops!


By the time my husband got to the store, they were pretty picked over...but they were on sale. Rather than complain about his purchase, I decided to snazz them up with my bagful of vintage light reflectors. As you know, the hole in the reflectors is too large to fit over new light strands.


While watching one of my favorite TV shows, Chuck, last night I monkeyed around with different ways to get them to work together. I tried stickers, double stick tape, circle punch outs, Velcro dots, even corn cushions (for your feet)... this is what I found works. Those little green flexible rubber caps for floral tubes. Who would have thought.


No glue needed, Just push them over the light socket and gently squeeze the cap as you pull on the light reflector. Wow!


I cut small branches of evergreens from my yard, bundled them in 3's, and attached them to a wire wreath form with floral wire. Martha would be proud!


I twisted my lights into the branches and plugged it in.


This would also make a wonderful hurricane candle ring centerpiece.


Need to spruce up a bottle of wine for the hosts of your next Holiday party?


Junk never looked so good! Cheers.

My kids will be home in a couple days and I realized I sold the lamp from Tyson's room at the garage sale as well. That is my next project...

Check out the Junk Revolution online store for your last minute shopping!

Peace,
Ki
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18 comments:

  1. UnknownDecember 16, 2008 at 4:33 PM

    Too bad they don't still make those reflectors. Great going on the refurbishment. They are nifty!

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  2. KaseyDecember 16, 2008 at 5:21 PM

    Way to put those to good use. Looks good.

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  3. lori miller vintage design coDecember 16, 2008 at 7:19 PM

    the vintage light reflectors are the COOLest things I have ever seen....it gives me the whole "peace, love and Bobby Sherman" kinda thing going on. Love. They will look so good this summer out on a trellis....some mood lighting to drink wine with the hubby. They'd sell like hot cakes at my store. :0)

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  4. AnonymousDecember 16, 2008 at 7:50 PM

    These are just darling! I wish I had some, you don't happen to have extra do ya? Ha ha. Happy decorating, and it's never to late!
    Krista

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  5. Lanette of Cottage ElementsDecember 16, 2008 at 8:16 PM

    Ok, first I have to say I thought I was one of the only ones who loved Chuck! Never miss it. Glad to know I'm not alone. Next I have a set of those reflectors, but their on a string of lights! I better go do something with them as their just sitting in storage. Thanks for reminding me of them. Hope your holidays are Merry and here's to a prosperous new year for the Junk Revolution!

    Lanette

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  6. MargoDecember 16, 2008 at 9:56 PM

    I love both of these ideas. I really NEED to get me some of those light reflectors. I just found out about them.
    Margo

    View my blog at:
    http://robolady.blogspot.com/

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  7. AnonymousDecember 17, 2008 at 1:48 AM

    these are adorable and i like how you found the perfect way to get them to fit.. you weren't given up.. hehe.

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  8. misselaineousDecember 17, 2008 at 5:07 AM

    Hey Ki...love the reflectors...and how you got 'em to stay on the little lights! Also glad to know that I'm not the only person on the planet who has just begun to decorate! I'm always late, but this year I've been very bad! Last night's tree decorating fell by the wayside, and I'm blaming it all on JUNK!!! Got home to find my "JUNK Beautiful"...signed of course :} ...had arrived!! What a wonderful, inspiring beeeyootifulll!!! book! What tree?? I want to go play with some rusty stuff out in the shed! Love it! Merry Christmas, Ki....*elaine*

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  9. traciDecember 17, 2008 at 7:59 AM

    love the vintage reflectors. you just blow my mind. such inspiration.

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  10. KudzuDecember 17, 2008 at 5:16 PM

    *gasp*

    Oh, this makes me look so old, ya'll! But, I grew up with lights like that, LOL...I still have the scars! I always got a few cuts from those, not to mention the little metal clips around them; all like razors. And...getting shocked too many times to count.
    You didn't happen to find any of the angel hair ornaments did you? We had tons of those, and we always managed to get fiberglass all over our bodies... they were little round plastic cages, 2 colors I remember were emerald green, and fuscia, with the snow white fiberglass...
    wow :D

    They do look like flowers, and I love this idea!

    Kudzu

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  11. Beth E-RDecember 17, 2008 at 8:32 PM

    I love how you ended up attaching the reflectors to the lights. Really clever!

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  12. Lulu and Co.December 18, 2008 at 9:04 AM

    Impressed beyond words!!! vintage light reflectors wish oh wish I had some hanging around!! love it!!

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  13. Kari from Meadowview FarmDecember 18, 2008 at 12:41 PM

    How simple and charming - "pretty" was the first word that came to my mind.
    Kari

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  14. Debra HowardDecember 20, 2008 at 12:19 PM

    Wow, I just love your ideas. I enjoy making junk into something also & you have such neat ideas.
    Debbie

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  15. the undomesticated wifeDecember 31, 2008 at 8:29 AM

    I have a ton of those vintage light reflectors that my mother gave me recently. She had them tucked away and never used them. I think she found them at a garage sale. Anyway, I put them on our "drum" themed tree (hubs is a drummer for a living). I love how you used them on a wreath...very cool!

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  16. nopeNovember 13, 2009 at 9:56 AM

    super kitschy! i love this!

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  17. hjnNovember 14, 2009 at 9:15 AM

    This wreath is so beautiful! I love the colors and the simplicity! I have done a post about it on my blog this morning. I threw in the idea of using reproduction vintage lights as well. I have linked the post back to your tutorial! Can't wait to see what you come up with next! Thanks so much! Mama Holli

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  18. Catherine @ van Breugel DesignNovember 17, 2009 at 12:06 AM

    Love love love your wreaths! I'm such a sucker for anything vintage! Thanks for the inspiration!

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