How to Craft a Lighted Christmas Orb

Creating a lighted Christmas orb is a fun and inexpensive craft project. These enchanting lighted balls were very popular in the 70's and many people even today, love these delightful lighted orbs. Although they are wonderful as a Christmas decoration many people choose to display their orbs year round. You can use different color miniature lights to create different moods and effects for these orbs. Although not the most attractive decoration during the day, these amazing lighted Christmas orbs become magical light displays after dark.

Supplies:

50 (9 oz) clear plastic cups
clothespins
soldering iron
100 miniature Christmas lights (any color)
clear fishing line (thick)

Directions:

To begin crafting the Christmas orb, assemble all of the supplies onto a flat work surface. Start by turning all 50 plastic cups, upside down. Using the soldering iron, press a hole in the bottom center of all the cups. Now take the cups and separate them into two groups of 25.

You are now going to assemble the Christmas orb. Start with 12 cups laying on their sides and form them into a circle (bottoms inward). Clamp the clothespins along the rims of the cups to temporarily hold the cups together. Now insert the hot soldering iron into a cup and burn a hole in the side near the bottom of the cup, continuing through the cup on the other side. This melts the cups together to form a bond. Continue this step around the circle until all of the cups are bonded together.

Now you are ready to add to second layer of cups to the Christmas orb. You want to place nine cups into the grooves of the first layer. There will be gaps between each cup (which is fine). Once again using the hot soldering iron, melt each cup near the base to any adjoining cups.

Next, add four cups onto the grooves of the second layer. Once again melt each cup near the base to any adjoining cups. Remove the clothespins.You have now finished, one half of the Christmas orb. Now follow these same steps to build the second half of the Christmas orb.

The next step is to insert the miniature Christmas lights into the Christmas orb. Before you begin, plug in the Christmas lights to ensure they work. Begin with the light nearest to the plug. Insert the first two bulbs into the bottom hole of a cup on the first circle. Continue around the half shaped orb in a zig zag fashion until all of the cups have 2 bulbs inside. Beginning at the opposite end of the light strand, insert the lights into the second half of the Christmas orb.

The next step is to place the 2 halves of the Christmas orb together (with the plug to the lights on the outside). Use the clothespins to hold the 2 sides together. Melt each cup near the base to any adjoining cups, being very careful not to melt the light cord.

The final step is to add a hanger to your lighted Christmas orb. Select a cup near the plug and burn 2 small holes to attach the fishing line. Make sure to tie the line several times for security. Now cut the line to the length you desire and create a loop on the end, again tying it several times. You can use any type of material to create a hanger for the Christmas orb. Rope, chain wire etc. Although I recommend the fishing line to give the appearance that the lighted Christmas orb is floating in the air.

Tips: You can create different size lighted Christmas orbs by using different size cups. Just make sure the cups are all the same size, to create a nice round shape. If you use outdoor lights, the orb can be used indoors and out.

Enjoy your newly crafted Christmas Orb!