Introduction: How to Make a Color-changing LED Flower Headband
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About: I'm just a lady who likes making stuff. I got my degree in engineering but also enjoy cooking, sewing, knitting, gardening and backpacking, among other things.
This is a similar idea to my glowing flower headband (which can be found here:https://www.instructables.com/id/How-to-make-a-glowing-flower-headband/ ) but this one requires more soldering and gives more freedom.
Step 1: Materiels
For this project, you will need:
-one fake flower (or more, you can use a bunch if you want. Bigger and fluffier ones are easier to work with)
-color changing LED (or any color)
-one small switch
-one battery holder that will hold 2 AAA batteries
-2 AAA batteries
-blank headband
-ribbon
-feathers, or anything else you want to use to decorate
-hot glue and glue gun
-soldering iron and solder
-electrical tape
-one fake flower (or more, you can use a bunch if you want. Bigger and fluffier ones are easier to work with)
-color changing LED (or any color)
-one small switch
-one battery holder that will hold 2 AAA batteries
-2 AAA batteries
-blank headband
-ribbon
-feathers, or anything else you want to use to decorate
-hot glue and glue gun
-soldering iron and solder
-electrical tape
Step 2: Put the LED in the Flower
I've made a few of these and after some experimentation, this is the best way to get the LED inside the flower. Disassemble your flower by taking out the plastic center peg that the petals are stacked on. You might have to carefully separate some of them if they are glued together.
Check your LED to make sure it works first. Wrap some electrical tape around one of the leads and then around both of them, but don't wrap too tight or put pressure on them. This is the part that will now act as the enter peg of the flower. Insert the wrapped leads through the top petals and continue putting the flower back together, hot gluing as you go. Keep the layers of petals in the same order. When you are done, your flower should look the same as it did before, but with an LED in the center.
Check your LED to make sure it works first. Wrap some electrical tape around one of the leads and then around both of them, but don't wrap too tight or put pressure on them. This is the part that will now act as the enter peg of the flower. Insert the wrapped leads through the top petals and continue putting the flower back together, hot gluing as you go. Keep the layers of petals in the same order. When you are done, your flower should look the same as it did before, but with an LED in the center.
Step 3: Solder the Circuit
The short lead of your LED should be ground. Solder it to the ground of the battery pack with a short length of wire about 5 inches long. The long lead is positive. Solder that to a switch lead and the positive of the battery pack to the switch. Try the switch. Your circuit should work. Wrap all connections in electrical tape. You might need to use a resistor in your circuit depending on what type of LED you have.
Step 4: Attach Circuit to Head Band
Decide where you want your batteries, flower and switch. Glue down the batteries first using hot glue, since they are the heaviest. Then glue down the wire and switch. Tape the excess wire down to the battery pack with electrical tape.
Using the ribbon, wrap it around the entire battery pack so it is hidden. Tye a knot and a bow or cut the ribbon short, however you want to. I think the ribbon looks pretty hanging down from the headband. You might need to glue the ribbon in a few spots, just make sure you can easily untie it to change the batteries.
Using the ribbon, wrap it around the entire battery pack so it is hidden. Tye a knot and a bow or cut the ribbon short, however you want to. I think the ribbon looks pretty hanging down from the headband. You might need to glue the ribbon in a few spots, just make sure you can easily untie it to change the batteries.
Step 5: Final Touches
Add any other details you want! I put a few feathers on mine to help hide the battery pack and because they looked nice. Trim off any hot glue strings that are hanging off and you're ready to go! This would be great for a costume, parties, Burning Man, weddings, etc. It looks super cute during the day and really amazing at night!
And of course, you don't have to stop at one flower, you could make a garland of glowing flowers, boutonnieres, corsages, the possibilities are endless!
And of course, you don't have to stop at one flower, you could make a garland of glowing flowers, boutonnieres, corsages, the possibilities are endless!