Upcycled Solar Garden Mushroom Lights

A few years ago I replaced a couple of broken chandeliers and ceiling fans. They both had these neat bell-shaped glass diffusers ( 5 little bells from the chandelier and one large bowl from the ceiling fan). They matched each other perfectly and I held on to them for years knowing I could find a project for them someday. Today is that day!

Using some simple stake solar lights, cement, and the chandelier glass you can create a nice outdoor set of glowing mushrooms!

The glass bells make for a perfect glowing yard mushroom because:

• The shape already resembles a mushroom cap
• They have big openings that allow the sun to charge the solar panels
• They'll create a soft light instead of the otherwise harsh brightness of the LEDs.

I wanted each mushroom stem to feel unique and organic. I had considered trying to make reusable molds, 3D printing the stems, or sculpting the forms out of expanding foam. Instead the simplest way ended up being the best: shaping handfuls of cement around the stake using cling wrap to help hold it together and give it an organic texture. The cement will also lend a nice weight to balance the top-heavy glass and will hold up well to outdoor weather.

This entire project is done very loosely and organically. I didn't use any exact measurements or aim for any consistency so don't stress the small stuff. Just have fun and make something for your garden!

This is a fun project to do with friends, family, or small crafting groups. It's quick and relatively straightforward. Most quick-set cements will set up enough to be handled after an hour or two.

If you aren't replacing old chandeliers anytime soon, it's common to find the glass bell parts at construction reuse stores. In the USA most states have Habitat for Humanity ReStore shops or something similar.

Main Components:

• Bell-Shaped Glass Diffusers
• Stake Solar Lights ( I got mine from a dollar store)
• Cement or Mortar (concrete has rocks in it that'll make it much more difficult to make nice shapes)

Extra Helpful Bits:

• Cardboard box that is about as tall as your solar stake height
• Marker
• Knife
• Cling Wrap
• Quart Sized Freezer Bags

Safety Things:

• Gloves
• Dust Mask

We'll want to build a base to stand up our lights:

I decided to design a simple carboard base to hold the solar lights upright. Doing this will:

• Ensure a flat bottom to your stem
• Support the cement as it dries
• Prevent the cement from dripping down the stake
• Keep the lights balanced and upright

Mark an "X" in the center that's about as big as the X at the bottom of your solar stake. I was able to comfortably fit 5 places to stand on this large bread box I found at Aldi.

Use a knife or box cutter to make a single cut following your marked lines. Don't worry if you cut a little small, the stake will push through the cardboard and create a nice seal.

Now let's add the plastic wrap and place our solar lights!

Adding our most important shaping tool...the plastic wrap!

Tear a nice square of cling wrap.

Center the cling wrap over the "X" you cut in the box. Then push the solar light stake through both the plastic and the cardboard. Push it down until it stops or until you reach the bottom of the stake.

If you leave a section of the removable stake exposed (like in the picture) the cement will form around it and lock the two pieces together forming a solid pole. If you want the two pieces to stay removable for storage, make sure the pole is flush with the cardboard and no stake is exposed.

Now you are ready to begin mixing and adding cement.

Wear a dust mask when working with cement because it is a fine powder that is bad for your lungs. Also highly recommended to wear gloves, cement can irritate skin and it'll just help with mess cleanup after handling.

I like to mix my cement in plastic freezer bags. It makes it easier to see if the cement has any dry spots, you can mix it by massaging the bag, and its disposable with no cleanup!

I used a plastic cup to loosely measure out the amount of cement I used. I didn't really pay attention and had a different amount each time. It's an organic project after all! I used about 2 scoops with the cup being 2/3rds full.

Add water and mix until its kind of a sandcastle sand consistency. Dry enough to be able to stay formed in your hand if you make a ball, but wet enough that it'll flatten out itself a little if you wiggle it. You don't want dry and crumbly and you don't want soupy mess. If its too wet after adding water, just add more cement. If its too dry, add more water. Add either element in very small amounts and mix before adding more. A little goes a long way!

Get ready to get your hands dirty to shape the cement!

Let's make some mushroom stems!

1. Once you have the cement at a moldable consistency, go ahead and grab a handful and start building around the bottom of the stake on top of your cardboard base. Just make a ball at the base at this point, we are establishing a rough form.
2. Keep adding more cement around the pole of the solar light, enough to reach the top of the pole.
3. After you've added the cement you want, pull up the plastic sheet up and around the cement. Use the cling wrap to massage the mushroom stem to round and even it out. Work it up to the top until it feels cohesive and makes the shape you want.
4. Leave the cling wrap in place while the cement dries, it'll add texture and organic lines!
5. Wait at least 24hrs to cure before the final step.

Tips:

it s OK if your solar lights aren't perfectly straight. It'll add character to how they sit in the garden and how the glass covers will hang off of them.

Feel free to make bases of all shapes and sizes. We made an extra big base for the extra big mushroom cap.

If your cement is too wet or heavy, use a zip tie to hold up the cling wrap at the top to help it hold it's shape.

The reveal!

After waiting at least 24hrs to cure, unwrap the plastic from your mushroom stems. You'll see that they each have a fun unique shape and texture.

The glass already balances on top the solar panels really well so you could leave it like that. It can also be easier to install them or move them around if you can take them apart.

If you wanted to avoid the tops getting knocked off I would think you could use silicone caulk or E6000. Hot glue could melt during a hot day. Consider adding 4 dots of silicone to add a bit of grip but still allow rain to drain. If you fully seal the tops rain water will probably flood the solar panel.

Now the best part....showing off your hard work.

Planting time!

Plant them into your garden! Plant them in clusters, in a fairy circle, or just where ever you need extra light. Use your imagination and have fun spreading your sculptures throughout your landscape.

Enjoy the soft light of a magical fairy mushroom garden you made by upcycling chandelier glass bells. You've given them a second life doing what they do best: glow.

Compare the boring line of lights versus whimsical clusters!

Happy Crafting!