Introduction: Solar Powered Fairy House
Hi,
In this instructable I am going to show you a take on the fairy house night light but using a solar powered light. Its a relatively cheap instructable with the only potentially expensive material being the polymer clay but I think you will find once you are done it makes a great addition to the garden or window ledge.
Step 1: What You'll Need
Materials
Pound shop solar powered light. I'm using one that changes colour.
A clean glass jar. make sure that its smaller than the diameter of your solar light.
Various Polymer clay.
Acrylic paint
Masking Tape
Super glue
Varnish or lacquer spray. this is additional if you plan on having it outside
Tools
Sculpting tool or craft knife
Paintbrush
Baking tray
Step 2: The Cap
Take apart you solar light
cover the solar panel with masking tape and paint the rest of it red, I put on two coats.
Peel off the making tape.
Step 3: The Jar
For this step keep in mind that the jar you use may be of a different size so i wont be using exact quantities but the main thing to keep in mind is that the jar is smaller than the solar light and ideally if its about the size of the clip shown in the first picture it can help hold the cap in place. dont worry too much about it though as if it doesn't you can simply use a bit of blue tack.
Cover the jar in polymer clay (I'm using white but you can use whatever colour you want)
Cut a door shape and some windows. Remember the more you cut the more light will come out but dont go over board.
Then decorate it. Again there is no exact way of doing this, just have fun.
In the case that your jar and cap fit snuggly you may want to press the two together before backing it to make an indent at the top to help hold the cap in place
Now with some of the clay you cut of make some circles/discs or alternatively use another colour. I'm using glow in the dark polymer clay
Bake your jar and circles as directed by the polymer clay directions
Step 4: Finishing Touches
Glue your discs onto the cap/solar light.
Mask off the solar panel again and give the entire mushroom a coat of lacquer. If you are keeping your light indoors this is unnecessary but it does give it a nice finish.
Step 5: Finished
And your done!
all you need to do is find a nice sunny spot to put it during the day and watch as it lights up as night :)
Please excuse the poor night time photos
I hope you enjoyed this instructable and as always thoughts/comments/criticisms and even pictures of your own Fairy houses are welcome in the comments below :)
Enjoy

Runner Up in the
Solar Contest 2016

Runner Up in the
Clay Contest 2016

Participated in the
Lamps and Lighting Contest 2016
22 Comments
Question 1 year ago on Step 1
can i use other clay other than kind u have to bake? is the top removable to be able to change battery for light when it goes dead
Answer 1 year ago
Hi sorry i missed your question earlier but here goes, If you are going to keep it outside i would recommend using a polymerclay, fimo or sculpy as air dry clay would dissolve in the elements (if its for indoor use that it would be fine)
the top is removable from the jar but its a sealed battery which you could remove and change but would probably need soldered back in place. For the time and effort i would be more inclined just to buy another lid and paint it up as it only cost £1
6 years ago
Enchanting!!!! :) :)
Reply 6 years ago
Thanks :)
6 years ago
Creative and fun - thanks!
Reply 6 years ago
Thank you :)
6 years ago
Wow! What a cool idea!
Reply 6 years ago
Thank you :)
7 years ago
I'm also in this contest .this is nice ..
Reply 7 years ago
Best of luck to you :)
Reply 7 years ago
thanks
7 years ago
How did you get the color for the grey bricks? Was that a mixture of something? So adorable!
Reply 7 years ago
Its actually stone coloured fimo :)
Reply 7 years ago
Great...thank you so much!
7 years ago
can you leave it in the snow or do you have to take it in for the winter?
Reply 7 years ago
I would be more inclined to take it in for the winter but i cant see any reason why it couldn't stay out.
7 years ago
It's Awesome! Congretulation =) ^^!
Reply 7 years ago
Thank you :)
7 years ago
This is so great!
Reply 7 years ago
Thank you :)