This crafty idea for lighted Christmas decorations comes from TypicalScrapbooker Janie, one our Trendy Tree Facebook Group members, and what an excellent idea! She put together some pieces of chicken wire to make her box, added some inexpensive clear Christmas lights, covered the boxes in a nice shiny fabric and topped the box off with a crisp Deco Poly Mesh bow. Kudos to Janie! - Be sure to drop by her Blog Typical Scrapbooker Crafts and say hello!
There is just no limit to getting all sorts of variety in this decoration - size - color - fabrics - bows - embellishments......the list is long and only limited by your imagination. Imagination.....which in my case....I need examples!! So here are some more photos of TypicalScrapbooker Janie's boxes!
Wire mesh or chicken wire, secured with zip ties. Strand of 100 Christmas lights also secured with zip ties.....don't you just love zip ties....so many uses))) The lights were secured around the sides. Bottom of the box was left open.
A second layer of wire mesh was added for more support. Wire mesh or chicken wire can be found at your local hardware store, Lowe's or Home Depot. You'll need a pair of wire cutters and be careful with sharp edges. I like to wear thin leather gloves when working with wire.
You'll see some sagging before you're done, but once the sides are wired together it will be sturdier.
Good old zip ties! Zip ties were used to secure the lights too.
Finished box ready for decorating!
Lighted Box. You might want to test the arrangements of your lights before the next step, just to even them out.
Fabric was applied with double sided crafting tape.
Boxes could be made in any size or shape and would look great as a collection underneath the tree.....or on the tree! Some other options to consider might be:
- Assorted fabrics or other materials. I believe Janie tried Deco mesh and this proved to be too thin, even two layers of it. Janie recommended a fabric that was not too sheer, but sheer enough that you could see your hand through it.
- Clear Christmas lights - an option would be to use battery powered lights if you're making a small package. One of the lighted boxes that we have for sale on Trendy Tree has the lights wrapped around a coil like center instead of the lights wired into the sides. This might be an option that would save some time maybe. This sort of lights yields a soft glow to the box, or the purchased one do, I think the effect would be about the same. I'm thinking about some 3" cardboard centers that we have out of a roll of packing material.....wrapping the lights around that several times. You know how a rolled of string of lights just glows....you could just put the bunch of lights under the box if you're not going to be moving it around or anything.
- Toppings for your boxes are just unlimited. With the gorgeous wire edge ribbons and Deco Poly Mesh....bow making is a snap. Love the use contrasting colors and textures. Other embellishments of tinsel, pieces of sprays, balls....
- Lighted boxes don't just have to be for Christmas! Birthday parties .......multicolored boxes....decorated with polka dots or even the birthday party theme....I can see right now....I need more time for crafting!!
Thank you so much TypicalScrapbooker Janie! And thank you for being a member of the Trendy Tree Facebook Group. We look forward to seeing more of your creations and sharing ideas! Again, drop by
Janie's site for a visit ....you'll be glad you did))
If you're interested in crafting and decorating, please visit our new Trendy Tree Facebook Group (Sorry, group is now closed)- a community of Trendy Tree customers and friends - just a great place to share ideas, photos, ask questions and see what other folks are creating. We still have our
Trendy Tree Facebook page too. Be sure to drop by and "like" us to get the most up to date news and sometimes special discounts for our Facebook Friends and Facebook Friend Deals!
