Recycled Light Bulb Xmas Tree.

 by cityup
Contest WinnerFeatured
BULB-TREE-004.jpg
BULB-TREE-008.jpg
Start to replace your light bulbs with CFL's and by next Christmas you can have your own tree!
 
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Dudeyowuzup says: Jan 5, 2011. 8:32 AM
This is a really cool project for burned out light bulbs, and I can see accruing them if I don't throw them away when they burn out, but PLEASE before you encourage everyone to switch to CFLs and disable your entire bag of light bulbs, do a search on EMFs, also known as "dirty electricity". Incandescent bulbs do not put out enough EMFs to even notice, but CFLs emit a surprisingly high level known to cause health problems in susceptible individuals, such as skin rashes, migraines, elevated blood sugars in diabetics, and arthritic conditions. (I learned about all this because I've seen it first hand) Also, unlike European CFLs, American CFLs do not have the capacative circuit meant to lower electricity usage, so they actually end up increasing your power usage, not lowering it.
Also, consider the fact that CFLs contain toxic chemicals like mercury, risking exposure to your family members if one is accidentally broken, and they can't just be thrown in the trash like regular bulbs.
If you are still opposed to Incandescent bulbs and want a REAL green option, consider LEDs. (THEN you can make your light-bulb Christmas Tree!)
EMF levels.jpg
cityup (author) in reply to DudeyowuzupJan 8, 2011. 8:41 AM
thanks for the mouth-wash.
lego187 says: Dec 24, 2009. 6:47 AM
would be cool if you could make it into a kinda chandelier. would look like an icicle
cityup (author) in reply to lego187Jan 8, 2011. 8:35 AM
This was made for the movie "Earthbound" with kate hudson. Filmed in New Orleans.
bulb-cage-earthbound-movie-2008.jpg
komecake says: Oct 24, 2009. 6:15 PM
  I didn't realize how much I loved this until I read the instructions. I can't wait to make this for Christmas. :)
richms says: Jun 25, 2009. 3:27 AM
This is a good use of them. Sadly I am going the other way with the high failure rate of CFL's vs the incandedents, and I dont think the spirals would look as good with CFLs instead.
heatherjuju says: Jan 3, 2009. 8:49 AM
New years resolution - change out all your regular bulbs for CFL's and you will have enough to make this project... a new tree for next year! great project..
blugyblug says: Dec 29, 2008. 9:46 PM
"Start to replace your light bulbs with CFL's and" But who the HELL?! Has that many lightbulbs shoves in their roof? I knew something like this would come out, the instructables culture is everywhere. But seriously, this is awesome lol
jeff-o in reply to blugyblugJan 1, 2009. 6:54 AM
You can also ask friends and family for their old bulbs.
11010010110 in reply to blugyblugJan 1, 2009. 3:33 AM
go to a light center that has big display. they'll give you a box at least the size in the pictures
cityup (author) in reply to blugyblugDec 30, 2008. 10:20 AM
How many light bulbs in your den?
Cupajo says: Dec 29, 2008. 5:53 PM
Wow! Very cool! I wonder if something like this could be done with ping-pong balls ala thisthis. It would be a little less breakable.
Danielfish says: Dec 29, 2008. 2:29 AM
That's very nice! If you were a bit of a daredevil you could put the fairy lights in as you glue (if you're careful enough) so that the light will be at the top too.
Lftndbt says: Dec 29, 2008. 12:36 AM
WoW!! Added to my group! Very slick work.
Sunbanks says: Dec 28, 2008. 9:58 PM
That's really cool! I need to start getting people to save our burnt out lightbulbs...
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