
Decide how you want to use your luminaras. You can use them with a candle inside of them, or you can try using Christmas lights inside. If you use candles, the closed end of the can will be the bottom. If you are going to use elecrtic holiday lights, then you have to decide which end you want as the bottom. If the luminaras are going to be sitting, then make a hole in the back of the can for the light close to the open end of the can. The closed end will the be at the top, so that less light escapes, and your design is brighter. If you want to hang the luminara, make one hole each on opposite sides of the open end, and tie string through the holes to hang it with. It will look like a bucket with a string handle. Make sure you put a hole near the bottom for the holiday light. Take the cans out of the freezer one at a time, so the ice doesn't melt. Then draw outline of the faces you see above or if you want to get fancy draw figures like winnie the pooh's face with christmas trees, presents, stars, etc. You can draw them directly on the can or on paper first, then tape the paper to the can. Then tap small holes outlining your design. (Remove paper once your design is complete. You may want to make a pattern for your poked hole design before you start. ![]()
Supplies Needed: Instructions: Drill holes in the bottom of all 50 cups. Take 38 of these cups and put 2 small holes near the rim at the top (not needed if hot gluing), opposite each other. Put the other 12 cups to one side for now, do not punch holes in these cups yet. Working one half of the ball at a time, begin by taking 12 of the cups and the paper fasteners (or hot glue) and fasten cups side by side. By the time you get to the 12th one, it should form a circle. Complete by attaching together. Put aside. Take 2 of the unpunched cups and punch only one hole near the rim. With 7 punched cups, fasten together side by side. Take each of the 1 hole punched cups and attach to each end of the 7 attached cups. Take the 2 cups on the end and bring them together, forming another circle, that will arc out, punch hole in both cups and fasten together. These 9 cups should fit on top of the 12 previously fastened cups. With the hole punch, fasten the 9 and 12 grouping cups together. Take 4 unpunched cups and punch 1 hole in each near rim. Take 2 of these cups and fasten together. Fasten other 2 together. Set these on top of the hole left in the 9 cup grouping so they fit. (They will not be exactly opposite each other. Make holes in each of the cups where they join the 9 group. Fasten or hot glue together. This should form half of the ball. Repeat to form other half. Putting lights in: (Holes should have already been drilled before putting cups together.) With open end of ball facing you put light (at opposite end of plug-in) in one of the holes in the 4 center cups. (At this point, I usually start putting garland (gold or red or any color) along with the lights. This helps to hide the wire and really sets the ball off.) Continue until lights have been put in all 25 cups. When you do the other half, start with the light closest to the plug and put that into one of the 4 cup cluster and work your way out. The last one will be a little hard to manipulate as there isn't much wire to work with. Making sure plug and lead in wire is outside the cups, set the first half on top of the second half fitting into each other. Punch holes where cups touch and fasten together. Where wire comes out, put 2 more holes in the tope of two joined cups. Thread coated wire, or fishing line through these and make a loop to hang the ball with. I usually tie the wire and hanger together near the cups with red velvet 1/4" ribbon (this is optional). Some people also make these with the top 4 cups omitted, and figuring out another way of hanging it, probably a hole put on each side of the ball and 4 lines coming up to hang it with. Fasteners take longer, but the ball is sturdier (I have dropped mine and it has not come apart.) Fasteners are better also if a bulb needs to be changed. Hot glue may melt if stored in an attic where the temperatures get hot enough to melt it. I also make 1/2 balls the same way as the full, only I use 35 light sets and the 4 cup cluster has 2 holes each and 6 of 12 cups have 2 holes (every other one). To finish off back, I put a plastic 12 inch plate and fasten it to the back with the bottom of the plate to the inside near the wires. submitted by Mary Grace Hocum ![]()
Materials: •Thirty-three 3" baby-food jars with lids •String of 35-bulb light set •50" of 3" Christmas ribbon •Double-sided tape •5-1/2" x 9" finished board for base •Small package of silver roping tinsel •Tube of Liquid Nails Adhesive •Drill & bits Instructions Note: Adult supervision is needed when drilling holes and gluing jars together. Because Liquid Nails Adhesive is used as glue, each row of jars must dry overnight before next row is added. Project will take a number of days to complete. ![]() Supplies baby food jars (medium or large jars), florist clay, small figurine, white glitter or fake snow (available at stores during the holiday season), glue gun/glue or aquarium sealing glue (hot glue is cheaper). *Optional: any ribbon, garland plastic greenery. Project how to - 1. Make sure jar is washed and clean. Note: Any jar will do if you desire a larger snow globe. 2. Attach figurine to inside of jar lid using florist clay. If you are using a small object, it's a good idea to build up the clay so the object will appear taller. Attach any optional items with the clay (greenery, berries, etc.). Use your imagination, but make sure it is waterproof and won't dissolve. 3. Fill jar with water to within 1/2 inch (1 cm) of top. Use cold water, warm water tends to cloud. Sprinkle 1 tablespoon (25 ml) of glitter, or snow into water. 4. Insert figurine in water, screw on lid. Let stand overnight -- lid side up. 5. Use glue/sealer to ensure waterproofness and attach decorative ribbon over lid. You may also paint the lid rather than use ribbon. Use your imagination, the possibilities are endless! Tips: 1. Make sure the objects are secure in the clay, you could even glue them for added security. 2. Before gluing or sealing the lid, make sure you have sufficient amount of glitter. Depending on the size of the jar, you may need more or less. 3. To make a more elaborate snow globe, add tiny objects to float in the water, use a drop of colored oil to create a swirling effect, use food coloring in the water, various colors glitter, etc. This can be altered in any way to be a one-of-a-kind. Use your imagination and have fun. 4. Choose a theme: birthday, sports, holiday, Victorian, seashells, etc. 5. This activity may be used with any size jar, have fun with this and be creative. ![]()
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