Sonnen Licht on the Mountain

Sunday, June 29, 2014

Sonnen Licht on the Mountain

My very first Sonnen Licht (sunlight)
Repurposed Solar light

If you read here often, you know that I like to make my mark on the repurposing/ junker/ packrat scene with some of my own ideas. During some of the power outages we experienced last winter, I had a few ideas about using solar lighting indoors and as creative outdoor lighting that goes beyond sticking a stake in the ground.

Here's a link to some of those "coming out" of the pack rat closet posts...
Time to Fess Up
Recycled Projects in Review
Pack Rats Anonymous
My Junky Christmas Mantle

Now, you have to admit, I've made some useful and interesting things with some of my stash...at least that's what I keep telling myself as a way to justify my problem!

Last year at a garage sale, I picked up a very pretty ceiling light with a crackle finish and a nice little knob on the bottom. I had no idea what I would do with it...I just liked it. Now if you've read any of those Pack Rats Anonymous posts, you know this is not unusual and, yes, my husband tried putting his foot down but there's too much junk on the garage floor!

But as spring came around, I began to get a few inspirations about that globe. I had a large terra cotta flower pot with a design on it that I had never used... and I put the two together to make, in my opinion, a very nice Mother's Day gift for my mom. She has it on her porch and it gives a nice glow to an otherwise dark area in the woods on the mountain or pike, as we locals call it.

It's assembly is a bit more involved than just putting the two together.
First, I found a solar light that would fit through the small opening in the globe.
Then I figured out the correct height for the light and used Plaster of Paris to give the pot some weight and keep the light in place.
Next, I used some rope caulk to seal the joint between the pot and the globe in an attempt to keep water out. There are lot's of ways to create a better seal but I wanted something that I could take apart if the battery or entire solar light needed to be replaced in the future.
After the globe was seated in the caulk, I tied a few pieces of burlap around the top of the pot as a finishing touch.

Voila!

Here's a shot after dark.

I made another one for my bff using a giant coffee cup and another style of frosted or white globe that I found at a thrift store, but alas, I was so excited to give it to her that I forgot to take a picture of it!

I've been collecting pieces that I can use to create more of these Sonnen Licht (sunlight) repurposed lights to sell and gift...again, in an attempt to justify my pack rat tendencies! I'll try to remember to take pictures to share.

So don't throw it away if you can give it new life!

This post has been shared with Wildcrafting Wednesday #151

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Much herbal love,