DIY Patio Lights

I've done a few posts already featuring different DIY lighting projects, but this one is a little different. It's EASY. Like, no tools required WHATSOEVER. I give you:

DIY Patio Lights!
 If you already have twinkle lights on hand (and who among us doesn't have a giant ball of tangled twinkle lights in the garage right now?) this project will cost you one dollar, plus tax.

Follow me after the jump!!


I've wanted some of the rattan ball string lights I've seen in Target and Pottery Barn, but they're all stupidly expensive. For example, this set from Amazon is $27.95:

SAY WHAT?

That price does not include shipping. And if you know anything about me at all, you know I'm not shelling out 30 bucks for a string of Christmas lights. Not when I can make them myself. For a dollar.

Dollar Tree sells these grapevine balls by the bag. They come in two sizes. I used the larger size, which is about 3" in diameter, just because that's what I happened to have.

In fact, I happen to have an enormous hurricane lamp full of them. You can find them in the floral aisle, near the wreath forms and ugly fake flowers.

So I emptied my hurricane lamp, untangled a string of lights from the ball in the garage, and voila!! A lovely set of rattan string lights for 1/30th the price!

They're cool inside or outside and the little spheres can be spray-painted any color you like before they're popped onto the twinkle lights. For the most part, the balls hold on just fine without any help, but you can apply a little hot glue to keep them more secure.

Happy DIYing everyone!!