After teaching ourselves how to make a cement planter, it was only a matter of time before we came up with another ‘bright idea’! You might say it was a lightbulb moment :).
We hate to see anything go into landfill! So a few years ago when we changed all our lightbulbs from incandescent to LED, we kept the packaging. That’s because it doesn’t get recycled in our community and I knew I’d find a creative way to use it.
International Bloggers Club
It’s time for this month’s International Bloggers Club (IBC). Our theme this month is Cast in Concrete. We took a break these past few months (the last challenge we did was the Christmas Challenge in November). But today we’re going to show you how to make a cement planter using the plastic packaging from our LED lightbulbs.
The IBC is a group of bloggers from all over the world who challenge each other to make something using a common theme. You’ll find all our friends’ Cast in Concrete tutorials at the bottom of the post. So don’t forget to check them out before you go. And if you don’t have time to browse today, pop back in later in the week to pick up where you left off.
How to Make a Cement Planter – Materials:
[If you’re looking for some of the things we used, we’ve got you covered (disclosure): Clicking on the affiliate links below, means we may receive a commission from Amazon. But don’t worry, you don’t pay a cent more and it helps us make more unique crafts to share with you! Thanks for helping to support our blog!]
- Packaging from LED light bulbs (the plastic part)
- 6 ounces Rapid Set Cement All
- Air plant
- Mini binder clips
- Scissors
- Water bottle cut in half
- Utility knife
- 12-guage aluminum wire
- Vaseline or oil
- Marker
- Container large enough to hold the lightbulb upright (for pouring)
- 1.5 ounces water
- Clear cap (from hair product can or any similar round object)
Cement Planter Video
Watch this 4 minute video or proceed to the written tutorial below.
https://youtu.be/FIVe9WOdu-Q&list=UULFLNXKw5KKciUho-ox3sUj3Q
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How to Make a Cement Planter
I used to find cement projects intimidating until we took the plunge and created our first cement planter DIY in the shape of a baseball! But since I’ve only just begun to experiment, I still have to master what quantity will fill up a given container. This light bulb planter wasn’t my original idea for this project (we’ll show you that one another time). However, I love what it became!
If necessary, use scissor to trim the edges of the plastic so the binder clips can snug right up against the edge to close them tight.
Cut two notches as shown at the top of the plastic light bulb packaging. They should be the diameter of the cap.
Center the cap between the notches.
Use the marker to trace a circle around the cap. Cut out using scissors or utility knife.
Oil Cement Planter Mold
Rub a very small amount of vaseline around the inside of the mold. Do use too much or else it can show in the final product.
These binder clips are what is going to hold the mold together. We use binder clips a lot, like for this slipcover lampshade tutorial.
Afer greasing the inside of the mold, place binder clips all around the perimeter. You can also add an elastic band if you wish.
Fill the Mold with Cement
The mold is now ready to fill through the hole in the top (with help from a cut-off water bottle as you’ll see in the video).
Ensure your container is large enough to hold the light bulb mold upright.
Prepare Wet and Dry Ingredients
Measure out and mix together the water and Rapid Set Cement All. Stir for one minute to combine.
Pour Cement
Using the top half of the water bottle as a funnel, pour the cement mixture into the plastic mold. Insert the cap into the hole in the top.
Tap to release bubbles then let it dry in the container.
Unmold
After an hour, remove the binder clips and open out the two halves of the lightbulb packaging.
The cement should slip right out of its mold. Because I only have 3/4 of a cement lightbulb, the next step is going to embellish that in a fun way!
How to Make a Cement Planter – Embellish
Now fashion two wire coils by winding them around a circular object. The first one should be the circumference of the upper part. Wind it eight times and then twist the end around to fasten it together. Fan it out as shown below and pop it onto the top of the light bulb to form a wire cage for the air plant.
The second wire coil should be the circumference of the bottom of the light bulb. Wrap it around 7 times.
But this time, bend back one end as shown and add the plumbing chain onto the end. Twist wire to fasten.
Since it’s wound tightly, it should fit snug around the bottom of the cement lightbulb. Then insert the air plant on top. I love how the wire cage cradles the air plant!
Because of the wire cage, any style air plant will work and help hold it in place!
Add a cement lightbulb anywhere there’s enough light. Here I’ve got it with some of our Fall decor.
Want more planter ideas? Check out these amazing upcycled planters!
Pin How to Make a Cement Planter for Later
Pinning is always welcome and appreciated. And right below this you’ll find the IBC projects!
Crochet for a Cure
If you haven’t heard, we’ve just launched a pattern shop, where we’re donating 100% of our proceeds to Alzheimer’s. You’ll find patterns, like our signature Kayla Pillow, Air Planter Pods and Tooth Fairy Pillow (shown below), available to purchase as a donation to our Alzheimer’s fundraiser.
Come visit us to purchase a pattern; with 100% going to charity, it’s a win-win!
International Blogger Club Projects
Don’t forget to visit these awesome ‘Cast in Concrete‘ projects from our friends below:
- What Meegan Makes
- A Crafty Mix
- Raggedy Bits
- Birdz of a Feather – that’s us!
- Unique Creations by Anita
- Interior Frugalista
Ahhhhh Sara, you really are so creative. What a clever idea and I’m so impressed with how the light bulb styled air planter turned out. A few of those hanging from the trees in our garden would make such a lovely statement and we have so many air plants to play with too.
Thanks Michelle! I’m so enamoured with your air plant collection; it’s so hard for me to keep the exotic ones alive indoors so I’ll just have to live vicariously through you!
When I saw the photo of your cement planter I called my hubby over to check it out. Such a clever idea and we both absolutely love it! I’ll never look at plastic light bulb packaging the same again.
I’ve seen people using real lightbulbs to make coat hook and then smashing the glass. This is SO much easier and reuses packaging that would otherwise go to landfill.
What a clever idea! Visting via Blogging Fifty and pinned!
Thanks for dropping in Laura!
Sara, this is so creative, and delicate.. I love watching the tutorial.
Aw, thanks so much Deana! So happy to hear you watched the video 🙂
This is so well done Sara it looks amazing. I bought a plastic light bulb from the dollar shop to do the same thing, we could have been twins. lol I love how to added the wire and the chain, it changes the look altogether.
Thank Anita – great minds think alike!
What a fun project, so hip, cool, and looks fabulous. Thank you so much for sharing.
So glad you think so Chas; thanks!
This is an amazing upcycle idea!
Pinning it for later.
Hugs,
Kippi
Thanks so much Kippi!
Sara,
You really showed your creativity and inspiration with this project. This would look darling on my apartment cottage back porch.
The idea of using Vaseline and the paper clips was genius!
Thanks Meegan! You have to have a light touch with the vaseline; if it’s too thick, it can pick up the texture :).
Crazy creative, Sara!! And I love that wire detailing…pretty!
Thanks so much Kim! Without the wire, it just looks like the torch minus the flame on the statue of liberty – lol!
I absolutely love that you have made this from packaging! Fabulous tutorial and love how you also added the wire!!
Thanks so much Sam!
This is the coolest upcycle I’ve ever seen!! I never would have thought to do something like that. And it turned out amazing! Great idea!!
Wow Michelle – thanks so much for that high praise 🙂
This is so novel and cute. I love the air plant idea.
Thanks Leanna! I can’t wait to experiment more with cement once Spring is here again!
This came out really cute. I love fun quirky decor items. You could totally sell those! Pinned.
Kim
Thanks Kim; We’re all about the quirk around here 🙂
The result is really beautiful 💚
What a clever idea! I love concrete projects but haven’t seen anything like this. Kudos!
Thanks so much Libbie; we pride ourselves on coming up with unique upcycle projects 🙂
SOOOOOO cool! Only you Sara! That is one adorable cement project!
I’ve featured this in this weekend’s DIY Salvaged Junk Projects party. Thanks for linking up!
Yes, my mind works in mysterious ways – lol! Thanks so much for the feature Donna!
This is such a clever idea — and a great planter. Thanks so much for sharing this at our Party in Your PJs link party.
Thanks so much for dropping in Nina!
Wow! What an great project! If I sat here with that packaging in front of me and concentrated all day long, I would never have come up with this amazing idea! Fantastic!
Thank you Denise! I really hate to see anything go to waste – especially plastic like this that doesn’t get recycled!
This is such a great upcycling idea! And looks pretty easy to make as well. Thanks for sharing, I’m saving it for later.
Thank you Kasia! I really liked the pallet vase holder you shared in last week’s Upcycle Sharin’ group!
Brilliant, Sara! I love this idea!
What a great idea and so neatly done!!
Thanks so much Riitta!
I have never worked with cement before but your project is inspiring – and yes so very clever. I definitely love a project that reuses so many things we just throw away. Thanks for visiting with us this week and sharing your project. #HomeMattersParty
This was only my 2nd project; once you get over the fear you’ll find it fun! Thanks for dropping in Donna!