Upcycle

Step by step instructions showing how to Upcycle an old unwanted light bulb into beautiful Upcycled mini hot air balloons.

Upcycle turns the lights back on!

Upcycle, run by Winnie McHenry and her team, have done wonders with their recycling knowledge.  You wouldn’t expect to have a use for old light bulbs, but after receiving a brief to create a corporate 3D invatation for an “Around the world in 80 days” year end finction, Winnie turned used bulbs into the most amazing mini Hot Air balloon to dazzle and inspire guests.

In a simple process, the light bulbs were coated with colourful streamers using an découpage technique and voila, a useless light bulb was transformed into a colourful base to work from.  Adding a little paint some string and a few extra touches and each light bulb was transformed into a mini Hot Air Balloon.

String was then fashioned into a basket by way of winding string around a suitably sized mould, gluing it and letting the whole thing set.

Trying this at home, you can add fantastic detail by using beads, coloured string, gold or silver chains and paint to decorate bulbs to your desired look

Your balloons will be fantastic as invitations, party decoration, Christmas tree ornaments and, no doubt, plenty of occasions we haven't mentioned.