Silicone Bulbs

Lights are one of my favorite things to use in my primitive farmhouse decorating. I have them EVERYWHERE, including in my windows and they stay lit all year round! Silicone bulbs can be expensive to buy, but I found a recipe for a do-it-yourself version on the web site called Create A Prim. I hope to make a couple of these soon to see how this recipe turns out. Let me know if any of you try it and how it comes out. Have fun and happy primming! :)

Supplies:
~Clear or opaque 100% silicone caulking in a tube (outdoor silicone, not the one for bathrooms) – you can usually find it at your local hardware store
~Night light bulbs, small 5 watt bulbs, or small Christmas lights
~Gloves (uncured silicone can irritate your skin)
~A container with lid such as a margarine tub, or yogurt cup
~Wire
~A suspended wire or something to hang your bulbs on to cure
~A well ventilated room or do your project outside


Directions:
First, always test out each bulb to make sure it works! You don’t want the aggravation of a gorgeously dipped bulb that doesn’t light up! Lol Wrap a length of wire to the metal end of your bulbs so you can hang them after dipping to cure. When dipping, you want to make sure you have enough silicone in your container to completely submerge your bulb; so use your bulb as a measuring guide, and mark a fill line on your container. Empty the tube of silicone into your container up to the fill line (you can cut off the end of the tube). To avoid bubbles, squeeze a little of the silicone into your container, then tap the container on a surface to let the bubbles rise to the top; then squeeze some more in, and tap again. Don’t stir the silicone.

Dip the bulb slowly into the silicone, and then pull straight out without twisting for a smooth surface. Do this slowly for an even coat, and go slower when you get to the end of the bulb to create a long tip. If you twist while dipping, it will give you neat ripples on the bulb. If you get a bump or other flaw, you can rub it with an ice cube to smooth (but make sure you don’t touch the bulb with your fingers).

Hang the bulb up to dry by the wire you attached to the bottom. Let it cure for at least three hours without touching it; then you’re done! Use the new country bulb in your candle lamps, and more!

Happy prims and blessings,
Stacey