What to do with Vintage Glass Light Shades...

Question

I'm thinking bird feeders...but do any of you have any other suggestions? Some came out of our 1964 home and some we bought for it, but never used them! As you can see on my blog: http://ourownbigworld.com/ , I upcycle, fix up, restore stuffs and make things. And the only thing I can come up with is bird feeders as I saw on this other cool blog: http://www.theartofdoingstuff.com/outdoor-orbs-part-ii-how-to-make-a-birdfeeder-from-glass-shades/ . I am thinking hanging or just planters, wobbly containers of sorts...so...ANY OTHER IDEAS?

D.I.Yankowski · Answer

That second one is begging to have light shine through it, so I'd make it into a lamp (I know, not very far out of the box) but oriented the way it in in the picture rather than on a ceiling. The last one is indeed groovy, but I bet it's not tempered glass. Those things tend to be pretty brittle and a shatter hazard. Keep it out of harm's way. How about putting a photo in the center square and then setting it on a plate stand on a shelf?
Finally, a small, tripod plant stand will keep the dainty ones from wobbling.

Sue A · Answer

The groovy circley one can be a centerpiece for all occasions--I love it! Gourds, indian corn, mini pumpkins for fall/Thanksgiving,Halloween. Then at Christmas you could stack ornaments with 'picks' of evergreens stuck in between, or funky picks that a lot of stores are carrying now, and maybe a little fake snow--goodness, my mind is whirling with a ton of ideas! I'm glad you didn't donate them or throw them away--they don't make cool shades like these anymore. Please post pics of what you end up doing with them!

Sandy Olson- Watts · Answer

Mount them upside down for yard/garden lights.

Thrifty Treasures · Answer

The garden lights are a good idea.  You can twist some wire around the beveled part and hang them from shepherds hooks with candles or solar lights in them.  I like to seek out cool lights like that and make cement garden orbs.  Fill will cement, but then you have to break the glass, but they make very cool garden decorations! Good luck!

Linda · Answer

I have painted flowers on them and put a small candle inside and set on shelves.

Christine · Answer

I use these as garden lights. Some are round and some are other shapes like yours. I don't have electrical availability, so I bought the $1.00 solar stake lights at Wal-Mart. I stuck them in the ground and stuck my globes on them. When I come home at night, my garden is full of bubbles. I love it. I'm not surprised you can't sell them without vintage lights attached. They're a dime a dozen.

Helen · Answer

I rather like the idea of the pendant lights....

Lori J · Answer

I was going to make the yard suggestion as well; they would be beautiful filled with a string of Christmas lights and turned over as a bedding accent.

Sfg178760 · Answer

They ARE a dime a dozen?? We couldn't find ones just like the ones we have online or anywhere that is why we did not use them in our house! We kind of went crazy buying them single ones and realized that did not work out for us! I just put them up for sale and one sold already! Anyway...I do love the light baubles in the yard look!

Aunt Hilda · Answer

Solar power-lighted drive-way, sidewalk, or garden path markers...

Terri · Answer

I would take the groovy circle fixture and run a rod thru it, stick it in some PVC pipe stuck in the ground and use it as a bird feeder.

Julie J · Answer

Here's a neat idea on pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/pin/23503229274957976/

Julie J · Answer

http://www.hometalk.com/diy/outdoor/garden/repurposed-glass-light-shades-1778417 I've done a few of these and one with a shade like your square one.

Julie Moyna · Answer

Look at the thrifty rebels blog! She is brilliant with totems and birdhouse/feeders! Have fun! http://www.thriftyrebel.com/2012/08/diy-lamp-into-orange-birdbath.html

Brenda Gilstorf · Answer

the square one can be made into a fruit bowl. mount it onto a candlestick holder or glass

Lori Jackson · Answer

The globe shaped ones--turn them over and fill them with a string of old Christmas lights. They would be lovely lit up in the garden.

Patty · Answer

I painted mine with glow in the dark paint especially the rounds,, I use them all year long in my gardens,,at night they are gorgeous!!!

Arlene · Answer

I have the same shade as the top one and I put a battery operated tea light under them and put them in my yard as garden lights a very pretty effect at night.

Starre Lightfoot · Answer

Placing globes over solar lights on stakes. Make a good outdoor night light to illuminate garden.

Christine · Answer

I use them in my gardens, too. Wal-Mart sells $1.00 solar lights. I usually try to pick up the round, 70s globes. I stick them on the lights and whoaaaaaa! At night, when I come home, my garden is full of glowing bubbles. I've recently started using some of the light globes you're talking about. It's just very cool for someone who can't afford to have her 3 acres of yard wired!

Linda · Answer

Use the square one for the bird feeder get one on top one on bottom. Get a threaded bolt washers and nuts to adjust the height

Sfg178760 · Answer

Thanks Everyone! I still have them and still have not sold, donated or upcycled all of them. But...they look cute in mixed in with my old wire box/basket and vintage galvanized metal collection in the garage!

Joan · Answer

Last one, maybe a picture frame?

Teri · Answer

How about using them in totem poles-garden art!!!

Sfg178760 · Answer

Oh my gosh...so long ago and I never did anything with them and just sold them all for very cheap yesterday!

Lyn2398900 · Answer

Saw a glass birdbath made of different glass dishes, etc. That would be a good base.
The birdbath I saw was here...

Karen · Answer

i had seen where some made beautiful Christmas balls!!!!! She had used canned goods cans for the top

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What to do with Vintage Glass Light Shades...

Repurposed Glass Light Shades

Suggested Project Book