Recycled Cacti...literally and figuratively!

These striking structures are by renowned event producer David Stark and recycled from used off-packing materials/cardboard and made to resemble cacti in planters! Apart from his super creative website they are also featured on his blog David Stark's Sketchbook. He is now working on a furniture and accessory line with West Elm.

Speaking of recycling, these prickly pear cacti were saved from a soon to be demolished planter and relocated to the savior's yard... Bravo! Awesome cactus! (via the blog The Grackle)

Light Bulbs Live On!

(via various sources on a Google image search for light bulb terrariums)

Lately I've been seeing a lot of creative light bulb ideas floatin' around the web, whether through blog scanning, casual [or obsessive] Google image searches, or a friend sharing a YouTube video link on a light bulb project.... Hmmmm, it seems perhaps light bulbs are struggling to rise above their disposable nature through reincarnation into the world of decor!

So people, the next time one of your lamps start flickering and that light bulb dies on ya, don't get all disgruntled and flick it in the trash... Smile and whip up a little "green" do-it-yourself masterpiece! Let the new creative missions begin!

Go here for instructions on how to gut a light bulb.

Here are the ideas I've come across so far:

Oil Burner

I love this idea of turning a light bulb into an oil burner! I really like the unique bottle cap that this person used to seal the top of the bulb! And yes, suffice it to say, I'm on a new creative mission!

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Flower Vase


(Image via Google, click here for direct source)


(image via HGTV)

No doubt, the idea of using hollowed light bulbs as flower vases is compelling.... But, I have a growing collection of funky vintage salt + pepper shakers so I absolutely have to give it a go on the light bulb shakers! Check out this page for the how-to on both of these crafts.

Check out this video on YouTube detailing how to make a funky light bulb flower vase.

Salt + Pepper Shakers

(frankly, I can do better... but hey, this is inspiration)

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Terrarium! [best idea yet!]

As I was browsing through Apartment Therapy just now, I came across a post on reusing busted light bulbs by turning them into mini terrariums! Ah-ha! I love the whole terrarium idea (another post that I've already begun)!!

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(image via Terrarium Man)

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I also found these amazing light bulb terrariums on Etsy in a store called Steamed Glass. These little habitats are nothing short of art!

"Little Red Tulip Terrarium"

"Plain 25 watt Moss Terrarium"





"Plain 300 watt Moss Terrarium"


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Aaaaaand.... Concrete Wall Hook Mold? :)

Just when you though you'd seen all the light bulb ideas.... A concrete light bulb wall hook! Not my taste, but a crafty idea nonetheless. For instructions on how to create your own concrete light bulb wall hook, visit this page.

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Well, that's that.. I'll post more light bulb reuse ideas as they come my way. Oh, and as tempting as it may be to just go out and buy one of those fascinating ready made little terrariums, isn't it more interesting to see the results of ones own imagination when put to this new creative test?? Light bulbs are easy to come by so there's really no excuse for not experimenting... :)