Monday, September 12, 2011

Jack-O-Lantern Light Bulb Ornament Tutorial

Hey everyone, gathering Halloween craft ideas yet? I have a 28" feather tree that gets decorated for the holidays/seasons. Here's a cute homemade Jack-O-Lantern ornament that's a good scale for smaller trees. You don't even have to dig out the Christmas lights for bulbs, the stores are usually selling Christmas things in October so you can pick them up fairly easily!

You'll need:
If you have green raffia, even better!

Holding the light bulb (whichever way is more comfortable) draw the face on with the Sharpie.
Let the ink dry, only takes a couple minutes.

Tie the raffia around the cap of the bulb. Make a long and short end, the short end should be 6-8".

Keeping the knot on the side of the face (think ear) pull the short end straight up.
Wrap the raffia around the cap a couple times, moving up and covering the short end as you do.

Keep the last wrap loose and tuck the end in the loop, like a slip knot.
Pull it tight, making sure it's on the other side of the face.

Pull both ends of the raffia straight up, if they've split apart and look sloppy give each string a twist.

Work with it until the pumpkin hangs straight and you are happy, then tie a knot in the raffia.
Notes: 
  • These pictures were with the smaller bulb, it's much easier to work with the bigger C9 bulbs.
  • Raffia is slippery, it's a good idea to run some glue up the back securing the raffia to itself and the cap when done.
  • You can sub yarn or thin ribbon for the raffia.
  • You can always just simply wrap the raffia around the cap and tie it off. I stuck a Christmas ornament hook through the raffia in the bigger bulb, you can see that it leans... If you come up with an easier way to hang them kindly share in the comments in case it might help others:@)
  • Jane of Blondie's Journal suggested making a garland out of them, love that idea!
  • If you have any Halloween rub-offs with faces that might be another option.
  • If you have a brown Sharpie, it might be fun to make some vertical "ridges" in the pumpkin.
  • Repurposing older, beaten up bulbs would look pretty neat too.
  • These are obviously glass, while this is a silly fun project, it does require close supervision if kids are involved. 
  • I suggest putting down some newspaper or something as a buffer over the table so that if one drops, it won't break. Or better yet, do this project sitting on the floor on a rug with kids.

43 comments:

  1. Aw, what an adorable idea! I typically start my Halloween decorating around the first day of fall ;) I enjoy it so much...almost even more than decorating for Christmas, hehe.

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  2. Those are too cute!!! I could use those for a table decoration too. Thanks for the tutorial.
    Ann

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  3. Very cute, Lynn! I am busy gathering ideas, I will start doing this week. xo,

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  4. Lynn these are really cute! I love your tree that you decorate!

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  5. Super cute! Not sure I can draw like that tho'.

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  6. What a cute/great idea! Thanks!
    D

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  7. Very cute, Lynn! You are full of creative decorating and eating ideas! I did place a fall wreath on my door...the extent of my fall decorating, thus far.
    Hugs, Beth

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  8. These are precious, Lynn!! My feather tree is packed away but I could see making a little string of them for the mantel! Thanks!

    XO,
    Jane

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  9. That is such a cute idea, Lynn. I am not a very creative person when it comes to Halloween crafts so thanks for the idea.---- Shannon

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  10. Super cute...made me smile.

    Sylvia

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  11. Too easy and too cute. I love the orange lights with the little cute faces. I like to do little trees for the holidays too.

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  12. Well, isn't that cute! I've never seen these before!

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  13. Those are adorable..that would be a cute library craft ;)
    Have a great week!

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  14. Very cute - I want to do those! Love them. sandie

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  15. Lynn, they are darling. I might could pull this off and I have nary a crafty corpusile. ♥O

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  16. These are soooooooo cute. I love them. I have a bunch of vintage Christmas light bulbs from my Grandpa's home. I am going to dig them out and use a couple of orange ones for just this project. Thanks for the idea :o)

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  17. These are so cute, Lynn!...Christine

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  18. Hi Lynn,
    great idea. They look funny.
    Best greetings, Johanna

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  19. I love this idea!

    Hugs,
    Susan and Bentley

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  20. You are so cleaver. Love this one.
    Chris

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  21. These are so adorable. I love how you are always busy with a neat craft or cooking something good.

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  22. Those are the cutest ornaments! I have a small tree that I bought with the intent of decorating for each holiday. These would be so perfect. Not this year, though, just sold our house and getting ready to pack and move :)

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  23. Such a cute idea! I wonder if you could actually use them on the string of lights, just put the face on accordinly..might be fun. xo

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  24. Good morning Lynn, This is a cute DIY. Very clever and fun to do. I bet your tree will look adorable. I too love those small feather trees. I love the holidays for decorating and making my home festive. Nice job on the unique jack-O-lanterns.

    Hugs, Jeanne

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  25. Too cute! I can just picture these on a fun halloween tree.
    Jane

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  26. What a cute idea, Lynn! Thye would be perfect as a Halloween party decoration. Ever since I was a kid I've loved Jack o'Lanterns --they make me happy :)

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  27. So quick and easy. A great project for kids groups.
    I am trying to think of a way to use them as napkin rings or name tags on the table.

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  28. hel.lo. how cute is that! you've reminded me that i have a halloween tree...yeesh, i can't wait til it's time to get that out!

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  29. Whata clever and frugal idea for using those old burned out bulbs!Stopping by from {nest of posies}

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  30. thanks for linking to Take-a-Look Tuesday - you were featured today!! - TWICE! - Mandy, www.SugarBeeCrafts.com

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  31. What a great idea!!!
    love this post!

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  32. How cute, L!I'll start saving the burnt out bulbs!

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  33. Featuring YOU over on my blog today!

    Ginger @ gingersnapcrafts

    http://gingersnapcrafts.blogspot.com/2011/09/pumpkin-round-up.html

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  34. This is such a cute idea! I love it!

    Thanks for linking to a Round Tuit (I'm slowing catching up on links I missed while away on holiday!)

    Jill @ Creating my way to Success
    http://www.jembellish.blogspot.com/

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