LED Pussy Willow Lamp

I saw this Lamp that was made out of wooden sticks and mini light bulbs and thought, I can make that, and make it cheaper and better.  The cost of the one in the store was over $200 dollars.  So I took some pictures of it and got some ideas.

Overall, it is inexpensive (around $35 dollars) and easy to make, just a little time consuming.  Also, the one in the store was made with small incadecent lights and I wanted to make it a little brighter and energy efficient, so I made it with LEDs instead.

If you have any questions, or if something is not quite clear enough please let me know and I will assist you the best I can!
 

Step 1 Parts and Tools Needed

Here is a list of parts and where to get them:

Black Bamboo Bundle - 1 bundle (10 sticks--you can use whatever kind of sticks that you want)
     -Bought at Micheals, $9.99

Dark Brown Floral Stem Wrap Tape - 1 roll
     -Bought at Micheals, $1.99

Pure White LED's - 25 LEDs
     -Bought off of E-bay in a bulk purchase of 500

470 Ohm 1/4 watt Resistors - 25 Resistors
     -Came free with the LED's from E-bay

12 Volt Power Supply - 1   (just what I had, so if you use a different volltage then just adjust your Resistors appropriately)
     -Left overs from a earlier project

Roll of Floral wire - 1 roll
     -Bought from Micheals, $1.49

Hot Glue Sticks - 5 sticks
     -Bought from Micheals,  $1.99

Wire Red - Roll
     -Bought at Fry's Electronics, $3.99 roll (carried at any store with electronic parts)

Wire Black - Roll
     -Bought at Fry's Electronics, $3.99 roll (carried at any store with electronic parts)

Shrink wrap
     -Bought at Fry's Electronics, $.99 (carried at any store with electronic parts)

Tools Needed:

*Wire cutters

*Soldering Iron

*Lighter (for the shrink wrap)

*Hot glue gun

*Helping Hand (nice but not necessary)

Comments

[lineofbirds]

Wonderful project can't wait to do this!

[tony112]

using the "HOT GLUE" gun doesn't hurt the LED??.... I would have though, that the glue would have damaged the chip inside the LED.. any problems of it burning out later?... please advise. thanks!

[seligtobiason]

I have used this technique many times and have not had any problems. The LED's themselves really don't produce heat, so the glue is not keeping the LEDs or the chips hot. So really it is just glue on plastic with some light shinning through. I am sure it would be an issue with some of the 3W+ LEDs, but haven't had any problems with these lower powered LEDs.

[Psychotics]

I started building this project and picked up the same Micheal's floral tape you did. The tape is so sticky it leaves thick residue over my finger tips, and I can't lay the branches down for even a second as I'm afraid it'll pick up debris. Was your tape this sticky too?

[seligtobiason]

The tape is really sticky, and I would be careful not to set them down on anything hairy. But by the time I was done wrapping the branches and working with them I had touched the branches so much I think the oils from my hands took down the stickiness. I am not sure if that was exactly it, but the tape seemed to lose the stickiness on the out side, but never lost it on the inside.

I would just be careful where you set the branches down until you have it all put together, hope that helps!

[Polilla]

I saw a similar lamp at a restaurant, I loved it and I wanted one. Now I can do it :) Thanks for sharing.

[zthralls]

Thanks for the inspiration! check out my take on it.
thanks

[seligtobiason]

That looks great! Nice job, I am glad that this instructable inspired you, and thank you for sharing your picture.

[chawla_mohali]

super like!

[Platt3r]

Hey, this Instructable is awesome. I'm gonna start gathering parts, but what size LED's are you using?

[seligtobiason]

I used 5mm LED's, but you really can use any size, it all depends on how big you want the blossoms. Let me know if you need anymore help!

[Platt3r]

Hey, so for a different project I tried putting hot glue on my LEDs and when I connected them to a circuit they all broke. The only thing I can think that would cause that is the heat messing up the LED innards. Was that an issue for you?

[vez87]

Are you sure you used the correct power supply and resistors? As too much voltage will fry an led indefinately. The Hot glue shouldn'd affect it as the innards are coated in the hard plastic that makes the diode.

[Platt3r]

I actually didn't use resistors, but only had a 3V power source. LED's that weren't hot glued worked and still work fine, but the hot glues ones are all fried. Hrm.....

[deuce44]

Really cool! Do you think this is feasible to do on a custom xmas tree?

[seligtobiason]

Absolutely, it was just take some serious time to do that, but it would be an amazing final product! If you end up making it please let me know how it worked out, and post some pictures too!! Good luck!

[The House]

I am absolutely going to do this when I get a chance. It is sooo cool. Great job! Vote the ef up!

[jnifrwebb]

This looks beautiful. I am going to give it a try, but I may try to use some Christmas lights instead. I'm not sure it will look as nice as your's though.

[vishalapr]

good

[sidthesquid]

This is beautiful. Will work great indoors or out & in any season. I think I have to have it! Very creative.

[Criket]

(removed by author or community request)

[seligtobiason]

(removed by author or community request)

[narckycypycu]

nice work m8...bravoo :-bd

[dmb321]

I saw something like it in colorado and it was about 100$ thank you for the how to!

[seligtobiason]

Your welcome, and good luck making it!

[jtmjr]

nice i really like how this looks got my vote
I built that cake next to yours keep me in mind when u vote :)

[seligtobiason]

Thank you, it adds a nice glow to the room! I do like your cake too, very clever idea! I appreciate your vote and I will vote for yours also, good luck!

[jeff-o]

Actually, I rather like the "temporary" vase you used. I'd keep it as-is.

[seligtobiason]

Thanks! Yeah it is growing on me, it makes it have a little more beachy feel.

[lainey24]

Hi, I love this design. I have an LED question for you, though. We would like to replace our CFL bulbs because of the mercury content. We are wondering if one can purchase 9W LED bulbs that actually fit into regular lamps?

[jeff-o]

You sure can. Check out the selection at Dealextreme. Much less expensive there, than at a local store.

[Electronics Blurred]

Usually at the end of each CFL's life , the mercury is collected as sputter at either end of the bulb , along with the burnt phosphor .
It's not alot , really .
Not enough to really kill anyone .

[ybunnygurl]

Phillips makes the only good LED socket lamps at the moment, and while they don't have mercury they do have lead and are prone to over heating. A side note the mercury in your CFL's is less then whats in most thermostats; the most eco-friendly thing you could do is just hold on till your CFL's burn out and then replace them with LEDs. And DO NOT toss your CFL's in the trash, check with your local waste management for how to depose of house hold hazardous waste and let them deal with the recycling that needs to take place.

also awesome project... must do this one of these days.

[t4tawah]

WOW YOUR SOOOOO TALENTED WISH YOU WERE MY BROTHER!!! OHHH YOU ARE!!!! WHEN DO I GET ONE!!!

[annieboyer99]

Greatest house warming gift EVER!!!
By the way:

Give me a ringle if you are single.
If we mingle, I'll make you tingle.
I'll give you two thumbs up and a fingle,
If you really are single.

[e46socal]

Cool project. How long did it take to make? Lola_girl your coming on a little strong. You want to play hard to get a little.

[rcisneros]

Damn. Now I have another project. :)
Nice job.

[Lola_Girl]

I really like this idea! It's very well thought out! Great job!
PS- you look really hot, too =) If you're single, give me a ringle!

[scoochmaroo]

Want.
I'll take 10 for my wedding in June, yes?
Thanks.

[pineywoodsdavid]

Wow I like the hot melt blob idea. That's so cool.