Sunday, February 8, 2009

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

16 comments:

Back in the Day said...

Stacey - Thanks so much for sharing these instructions! I didn't know it was that easy to make them! I have been paying a fortune for them all this time!
Let us know how yours turn out!
Hugs!
Nicole

Country Whispers said...

Wow! What a great idea! I use candles everyday too & sometimes have a hard time finding the right bulbs in our area. I'll have to try this.

Country Whispers said...

Stacy,
Thanks for joining the Pay it Forward. I have a few questions to ask you if you will be so kind as to give me your email address. You can post it or I have a link on my site that you could email me with it.
Thanks & have a wonderful day!

Janene said...

Stacey~Is it really that easy? I LOVE these bulbs! But they can be so pricey....Yeah! Now I can make my own!
Also thank you for that website, I will definately be checking that out!
Definately let us know how yours turn out!

•♦•©The Olde Weeping Cedar •♦• said...

Hi Stacey!
This is so easy! I have been making my own sil-bulbs for a long time!
I actually do "twist" mine for the ripple effect! :)
I have a different way of drying too, I have the 'clip' clothes pin tacked to a board, the board is screwed into some saw horses and all I do is "dip & clip" LOL!
works good for me :)
Thanks for sharing-it really is so easy. and such a $$ saver!

Have a super day!
hugs-Kath

~Beth~ said...

Stacey~Thank you for stopping by my blog and leaving such kind words! I really do appreciate hearing from you!

I have been wanting to try this and I think I might give it a shot.

I read that you are trying to get pregnant. Don't give up! It was a long road for me but finally I had my Emily at 30 and then My Lauren came at 39! It will happen for you because God is good and he knows just what we need and just when to bless us! Hugs and welcome to blog land!

Lisa said...

What a GREAT idea. I never knew you could make you own and I am sure it saves you al of money, but just requires a little time.

Thanks for sharing.

Hugs,
Lisa

Anonymous said...

If I had any candle lights I would use this trick! Do take photos of yours if you do them!

Kindra-At Home With K said...

Hi Stacey! Thanks for coming by my blog! It's always so much fun to meet other prim friends online! I loved reading about the barn stars. How interesting! I'll be back soon to visit!

Leslie said...

I hope you have better luck at this than I did! It sounds simple, however, it's not! LOL My bulbs looked like crap! I found out that the silicone that the "professionals" use is different than what we find out there at the hardware. I was hoping to save some money, too...

Good luck :D

Leslie

Meridith said...

I want to see pics of yours!!!!

Something Nice and Pretty said...

I think mine would end up like Leslie's but yet Kath says she does it all the time. I guess you just have to try it:)
Rondell

Susan said...

Stacey,
Thank you for stopping by my blog and for leaving such a sweet comment. I look forward to getting to know you. Thanks for sharing with us how to make silicone bulbs. And welcome to blogland.
Blessings,
Susan

big city prims said...

Great project! Welcome to blogland -- I'm enjoying yours!~ Terry

TJ said...

Stacey Awesome !!! I've always wondered how to do these. Sounds sooooo easy.
TFS
T

Unknown said...

I found that the generic Walmart brand or Dollar General brand is the best to use it's just trial and error.