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Aug 5, 2011 3:36 PM CST
Thread OP
Name: Lin Vosbury
Sebastian, Florida (Zone 10a)

Region: Ukraine Region: United States of America Bird Bath, Fountain and Waterfall Region: Florida Charter ATP Member I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database!
Million Pollinator Garden Challenge Birds Butterflies Bee Lover Hummingbirder Container Gardener
Hey everyone, I got busy today and finally accomplished my project and thought I'd share the photo's.

I've had these four Ceiling Fan Light Shades in the shed for a few years because when I purchased them and got them home I didn't like the looks at all with the fan I bought them for. Anyway ... I'm oftentimes bad about remembering to return things for exchange or refund and things either end up going to the thrift store, or on a closet shelf somewhere. Since these glass shades were a real thick glass they ended up in the shed with the idea that I'd (someday) make plant holders out of them but I just never seemed to get around to it until y'all inspired me to get busy and just do it! Big Grin

My husband gave me a length of PVC pipe and I used his hand saw to cut it into 3 different lengths. He also had the PVC connector things that he glued to the base of each glass shade for me and I screwed them onto an end of each PVC pipe. I taped up the glass and painted the connectors and the PVC pipes. Here are the before and after pictures.

The ceiling fan light fixtures with the PVC connectors glued on:
Thumb of 2011-08-05/plantladylin/2f6421

The glass shades screwed onto the PVC pipes before everything was taped and painted:
Thumb of 2011-08-05/plantladylin/4469a1

I took them apart and taped up the glass before painting the PVC and the connector pieces:
Thumb of 2011-08-05/plantladylin/1d4c40

I placed a piece of mesh window screen into the bottom to keep the soil from washing down the pipe:
Thumb of 2011-08-05/plantladylin/04706c

I planted them with little houseplants that were sitting out on the deck. The PVC pipes are stuck down into a flower pot with other plants out on the deck but I may end up taking these plants out and moving them to a spot in the garden with Perennials or something.

The Finished Product:
Thumb of 2011-08-05/plantladylin/08e4e6
~ I'm an old gal who still loves playing in the dirt!
~ Playing in the dirt is my therapy ... and I'm in therapy a lot!


Last edited by Boopaints Aug 6, 2011 2:52 PM Icon for preview
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Aug 5, 2011 3:38 PM CST
Moderator
Name: Vicki
North Carolina
I helped beta test the Garden Planting Calendar I sent a postcard to Randy! Charter ATP Member I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database! Forum moderator Region: United States of America
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That is so COOL! Hurray!
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Aug 5, 2011 3:56 PM CST
Name: Dahlianut
Calgary, AB Zone 3a
NE Alumni
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That looks so prettiful and refreshing against the wall Lin Smiling
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Aug 5, 2011 4:19 PM CST
Name: Sally
Wesley Chapel. FL (Zone 9a)
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You could even add candles to add some ambiance to your evening garden. Smiling
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Aug 5, 2011 4:20 PM CST
Thread OP
Name: Lin Vosbury
Sebastian, Florida (Zone 10a)

Region: Ukraine Region: United States of America Bird Bath, Fountain and Waterfall Region: Florida Charter ATP Member I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database!
Million Pollinator Garden Challenge Birds Butterflies Bee Lover Hummingbirder Container Gardener
Thanks Dahlia! I can't leave those plants in that location though ... gets intense afternoon sun which will fry those particular houseplants! I do like how they turned out. I only had 3 pieces of PVC pipe after cutting and 4 glass sconces so I still have one single sconce to do something with. I was thinking they could be wired up as pathway lights too ... hmmm.
~ I'm an old gal who still loves playing in the dirt!
~ Playing in the dirt is my therapy ... and I'm in therapy a lot!


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Aug 5, 2011 4:21 PM CST
Thread OP
Name: Lin Vosbury
Sebastian, Florida (Zone 10a)

Region: Ukraine Region: United States of America Bird Bath, Fountain and Waterfall Region: Florida Charter ATP Member I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database!
Million Pollinator Garden Challenge Birds Butterflies Bee Lover Hummingbirder Container Gardener
Sally: They would make great candle holders too ... great idea!
~ I'm an old gal who still loves playing in the dirt!
~ Playing in the dirt is my therapy ... and I'm in therapy a lot!


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Aug 5, 2011 4:37 PM CST
Moderator
Name: Becky (Boo)
Phoenix, AZ 85022
finding joy one day at a time!
Charter ATP Member Forum moderator I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database! Garden Art Purslane Garden Ideas: Master Level
Region: Southwest Gardening Enjoys or suffers hot summers Region: United States of America Birds Hummingbirder Container Gardener
WOW, I love LOVE LOVE these!
I need a husband. Or a saw!

I saw these turned over along a pathway one Christmas...with candles inside...the opening allowing the smoke to drift out.

Yep, Lin, I'm going to copy someday~

Thanks for an excellent tutorial.
ALL THINGS PLANTS ~ Garden Art ~ Purslane & Portulaca ~
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Aug 5, 2011 4:43 PM CST
Thread OP
Name: Lin Vosbury
Sebastian, Florida (Zone 10a)

Region: Ukraine Region: United States of America Bird Bath, Fountain and Waterfall Region: Florida Charter ATP Member I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database!
Million Pollinator Garden Challenge Birds Butterflies Bee Lover Hummingbirder Container Gardener
Thanks Becky!

I had no idea PVC would cut so easily ... I have little strength in my wrists and I was easily able to cut these with my husbands hand saw. I'd love to have them lining the walkway/pathway during the holiday season with tea lights illuminating the frosted glass! Sometimes Home Depot and Lowes have them on clearance, especially if it's a discontinued pattern, I think I will be on the lookout for a few! It would be fun to have a couple of different shapes spaced out along a path with candles glowing!
~ I'm an old gal who still loves playing in the dirt!
~ Playing in the dirt is my therapy ... and I'm in therapy a lot!


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Aug 6, 2011 2:57 PM CST
Moderator
Name: Becky (Boo)
Phoenix, AZ 85022
finding joy one day at a time!
Charter ATP Member Forum moderator I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database! Garden Art Purslane Garden Ideas: Master Level
Region: Southwest Gardening Enjoys or suffers hot summers Region: United States of America Birds Hummingbirder Container Gardener
I saw some larger amber glass shades today which made me think of yours, Lin. I think I will make three for my pots and place candles in them. I found out that some of the big box stores will also cut the PVC for you!
ALL THINGS PLANTS ~ Garden Art ~ Purslane & Portulaca ~
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Aug 6, 2011 3:08 PM CST
Name: Pegi Putnam
Norwalk, Ca. zone 10b
Charter ATP Member Region: California Cat Lover Container Gardener Dog Lover Garden Art
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Love these!!! There are always lots of fan lights at the thrift store, I can feel another project coming on. I know I have some here, but not all the same. DH has some pvc pipe out in back so guess I will check the sizes out. What kind of paint did you use on the pvc pipe? I'm making myself a note to check out my glass "treasures".
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Aug 6, 2011 3:18 PM CST
Name: Sharon
Calvert City, KY (Zone 7a)
Charter ATP Member Houseplants Celebrating Gardening: 2015 Garden Ideas: Master Level I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database! Hosted a Not-A-Raffle-Raffle
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Beautiful, Lin!
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Aug 6, 2011 5:34 PM CST
Name: Robin
Pittsburg, MO
I sent a postcard to Randy! I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database! Charter ATP Member Garden Ideas: Level 1 Garden Art Birds
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Really good job Lin looks like you paid a couple hundred dollars for that.
Save the planet, it's the only one with chocolate.
Last edited by vic Aug 7, 2011 5:08 PM Icon for preview
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Aug 6, 2011 6:57 PM CST
Thread OP
Name: Lin Vosbury
Sebastian, Florida (Zone 10a)

Region: Ukraine Region: United States of America Bird Bath, Fountain and Waterfall Region: Florida Charter ATP Member I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database!
Million Pollinator Garden Challenge Birds Butterflies Bee Lover Hummingbirder Container Gardener
Thanks y'all ... as I've said before, I have a very short attention span and these were quick and easy so it was a perfect project for me!

Pegi: I just bought a can of Krylon indoor/outdoor spray paint!

Robin: LOL, I don't think you'd want those cheapy shades for your antique lamp ... and they wouldn't be useable anymore as lamp shades since the connector pieces have been epoxied or glued on!

I really will be on the lookout for more shades to do some little candle holders for the walkway ...
~ I'm an old gal who still loves playing in the dirt!
~ Playing in the dirt is my therapy ... and I'm in therapy a lot!


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Aug 6, 2011 7:01 PM CST
Moderator
Name: Becky (Boo)
Phoenix, AZ 85022
finding joy one day at a time!
Charter ATP Member Forum moderator I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database! Garden Art Purslane Garden Ideas: Master Level
Region: Southwest Gardening Enjoys or suffers hot summers Region: United States of America Birds Hummingbirder Container Gardener
Red or green or red green and white or....pretty shades. We are all going to be scoring thrift stores now!

Lin, do all the connectors fit all the glass openings or do you need to take an inset with you to the thrift stores?
ALL THINGS PLANTS ~ Garden Art ~ Purslane & Portulaca ~
MY CUBITS ~ Trust in the Lord ~
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Aug 6, 2011 7:06 PM CST
Thread OP
Name: Lin Vosbury
Sebastian, Florida (Zone 10a)

Region: Ukraine Region: United States of America Bird Bath, Fountain and Waterfall Region: Florida Charter ATP Member I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database!
Million Pollinator Garden Challenge Birds Butterflies Bee Lover Hummingbirder Container Gardener
Becky, I'm pretty sure the PVC Connectors come in different sizes like the PVC pipes. My husband just happened to have the ones I used in his stash of stuff in the shed ... and they fit! So, I'd suggest taking a shade to the hardware store when purchasing the connectors.
~ I'm an old gal who still loves playing in the dirt!
~ Playing in the dirt is my therapy ... and I'm in therapy a lot!


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Aug 6, 2011 9:52 PM CST
Moderator
Name: Becky (Boo)
Phoenix, AZ 85022
finding joy one day at a time!
Charter ATP Member Forum moderator I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database! Garden Art Purslane Garden Ideas: Master Level
Region: Southwest Gardening Enjoys or suffers hot summers Region: United States of America Birds Hummingbirder Container Gardener
Thanks Lin! I'm going to paint mine royal blue and leave the shades white glass.
ALL THINGS PLANTS ~ Garden Art ~ Purslane & Portulaca ~
MY CUBITS ~ Trust in the Lord ~
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Aug 7, 2011 4:38 AM CST
Name: Chris
Ripon, Wisconsin
Charter ATP Member I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database! Garden Sages Garden Ideas: Master Level Seller of Garden Stuff I sent a postcard to Randy!
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Lin, what a great idea! No light shades laying around but lots of PVC pipe. I'm with Becky, this is one I will definitely be trying soon. Thanks for the tutorial!
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Aug 7, 2011 5:17 AM CST
Name: Brenda
Santa Clarita, CA (Zone 9b)
Charter ATP Member Cat Lover Region: Colorado Dog Lover Garden Art Hummingbirder
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LOVE this, Lin! Great idea, quick and easy, and they look great! I think I'll be looking for shades at the thrift store as well!
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Aug 7, 2011 5:28 AM CST
Thread OP
Name: Lin Vosbury
Sebastian, Florida (Zone 10a)

Region: Ukraine Region: United States of America Bird Bath, Fountain and Waterfall Region: Florida Charter ATP Member I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database!
Million Pollinator Garden Challenge Birds Butterflies Bee Lover Hummingbirder Container Gardener
Y'all are so kind! As I said before, I am not a "creative thinker" most of the time and like easy, peasy stuff ... this was extremely easy so if I can do it anyone can. I am definitely going to check thrift stores and yard sales for glass shades. A few years ago when I received my little magazine/flyer from Lowes it had a project I did with a glass globe. I purchased a round shaped globe (the type with just one opening that fits over a light). Planted a plant in the globe and wired copper wire around the threaded neck and hung it. The plant died last winter and that glass globe is somewhere around here ... my plan is to replant it someday! Big Grin A few years ago I had two glass globes that I turned upside down and stuck the neck part into the soil amongst plants in the garden with just the decorative globe shape showing ... wish I had a picture but I lost thousands of pic's (Twice!) when my laptop crashed on me! .... reminds me, I need to do a backup right now!

Hope everyone has a wonderful Sunday!
~ I'm an old gal who still loves playing in the dirt!
~ Playing in the dirt is my therapy ... and I'm in therapy a lot!


Last edited by Boopaints Aug 7, 2011 1:57 PM Icon for preview
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Aug 9, 2011 1:11 AM CST
Name: Debbie
Denham Springs, La. zone 8b (Zone 8b)
Charter ATP Member I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database! Region: Gulf Coast Region: Louisiana Region: United States of America Lilies
Roses Irises Garden Art Container Gardener Amaryllis Bulbs
Absolutely awesome idea. Thanks so much for sharing with us Lin. I love it. And I just happen to have lamp shades and pvc pipe. Thumbs up Now all I need is time................ Whistling

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