DIY Fairy Light Globe

Ashley — Mon, 02 Jan 2017 02:24:14 +0000

Hello everyone! Happy new year! Today I want to share my final DIY project from 2016: a fairy light globe. I got this project idea from Linn of Darbin Orvar. You can find her full tutorial here. I deviated from her original tutorial a little. I share the details below.

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links.

Tools and Supplies

The following list are the tools and supplies I gathered to make the fairy light globe.

Glass Ornament Balls (80 mm)
Micro LED String Lights
Scrap 2×4
Jar of steel wool and vinegar (a homemade wood stain)
Mineral oil
Center finder
Drill press
Forstner bits
Router with a 45 degree chamfer bit
Hot glue gun

I used 80 mm balls instead of the original 100 mm because they were cheaper. The lights I used are powered by 2 CR2032 batteries instead of 3 AA batteries. The smaller battery pack makes it easier to conceal.

How to make the Fairy LED Globe

Step 1: Cut off a square piece of 2×4

I didn’t have any pretty hardwood on hand, but I do have of ton of 2×4 cut offs. I cut off a 3 1/2″ piece for the globe base.

Step 2: Drill holes for the ornament and battery pack

Mark the center of the 2×4 on both sides.
Drill a small hole through the entire piece of wood for stringing the lights.
Drill a hole on the top with a width matching the top of the glass ornament.
Drill a hole on the bottom with a diameter of 2 1/4″.

The opening on the bottom side should be wide enough to hold the battery pack (assuming you purchase the same lights as I did).

First project with the new drill press

A hole for the ornament

A hole for the battery pack

Step 3: Add a chamfer to the edges

The 2×4 looks pretty brand. To remedy that, I used my trim router equipped with a 45 degree chamfer bit to dress up the edges.

I routed all the edges on the top and bottom sides.

Routing the edges

Step 4: Sand

Sand the entire surface to prep it for staining.

Step 5: Apply a stain and seal the wood

I had a jar of steel wood and vinegar brewing in the garage for months. I used an old cloth and applied two coats of the mixture.

Jar of steel wool and vinegar

After applying the homemade stain

I sealed it with two coats of mineral oil.

Step 6: Install the lights

I don’t deviate much from here on. I stringed the micro lights through the hole in the 2×4 base and into the glass ornament. I used my hot glue gun to secure the glass ornament into the base.

Installing the micro lights

The battery pack fits snuggly in the bottom hole. It stays in place.