Introduction: Regenerative Energy Lamp (the Dark Phoenix)!

By
About: Bojarski

“I am fire and life incarnate! Now and forever — I am Phoenix!”

- Phoenix, Uncanny X-men #101

This lamp will light up the dark days ''now and forever''. Besides being a beautiful decoration when in light, this eco friendly lamp, working on solar energy, will regenerate energy like a phoenix. When the lamp is not exposed to light it will light up you room in ''fire''.

Step 1: Materials

For this project you will need:

  • A vase or a jar
  • Outside solar lamp that would fit as a lid on the vase or jar
  • Brushes
  • Vitrage colours/ Window colours
  • Ruler
  • Non-permanent pen
  • Scalpel or a knife
  • Glue

Step 2: Planning and Preparing

This step is essential for the final result. You will have to:

  1. Measure the area that you wish to be covered with (in my case) 'shades' or the symbol/picture.
  2. Print out/draw the wished symbol in the dimensions you measured.

TIP: You would like to use a black or dark paper so it will look like a shadow in the end. I had to colour them myself and would not recommend that as they can tear appart. Also draw some lines and spaces that will be cut out where the light will shine though giving it a nice effect.

Step 3: Cutting

This is the step where you will start cutting out the pictures/symbols. You can cut as you wish, just try to see the effects this will have in the end.

Another thing you could do which is much faster but requires a lot of skills it that you can draw the symbol directly on the vase.

TIP: Use a sharp knife and even the smallest cut could be seen through i.e. you do not always have to take out parts etc.

Step 4: Glue Them on the Vase

  • Using hobby glue (transparent when dry) glue them on the vase.
  • Remove your markings of the measurements
  • Add something or make it look better, if want with a window colours. I drew the lines behind the reborn phoenix with a black window colour outliner.

Step 5: Time to Colour!

Depending on the quality of the colours you are using, you might need to repaint the same area more than once. But if you want to get the fire effect on your lamp:

  • Have a picture of fire that will help you with the colour order and shades!
  • Use red, orange and yellow. This will not be enough as you will have to mix them to get the right shade and give it a gradual transition from red to yellow.
  • Have the darkest shade closest to the Dark Phoenix and then use a weaker shade for every 1-2cm as you paint away from the figure.

Step 6: Time for the Solar Light

You can get really cheap Solar Garden Lights. I got 3 of the ones I use for 7€ (approx. 10 USD) and they last for 8h. These are often sold ready to be put together so you just use the top part or the part with the LED and the solar plate.

You can even colour the led with the window colours this will make the light in that colour. However i did not do that.

Put the Solar light on top of the opening of the vase/jar and fasten it. You can use tape or hot glue or even blu-tack.

AND YOU ARE DONE!