I know that I am not alone in enjoying charming lights on the patio. Especially when they are affordable solar LED lights. That soft yellow glow that starts at dusk, and grows as the sun sets. The soft breeze can’t be bought, but the rose incense can. Ah. It’s nice.
Anyway, my obvious love of perfect patio season prompted me to make more DIY LED votives. My last attempt was a bad match – the solar LED was too small for the votive holder and it just looked sloppy. It was disappointing, so I sought a replacement. After some searching, measuring, and eating yogurt I finally found the solution! And now I am happy to share with you my perfect patio LED lights.
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I’m not in the mood to write an annoyingly long story about my love for LEDs, solar lights, or recycling glass. But rest assured – I quite enjoy all of those things very much. So, let’s cut to the chase and see what you want! Below are the steps I followed, and links (as available) to the things you will need are listed too.
Allons-y!
If available I recommend a patio to enjoy the lights on. But if a patio isn’t handy, these lights will do well in a sunny window sill, or anywhere if you’re willing to either move them to the sun -or- place them under a grow light before use.
Your shopping list:
1. These solar LEDs. You only need the top light with the switch!
2. Yogurt jars.
3. Hair elastics. I bought these clear ones in case I want to actually use them in my hair too.
Yogurt detail; recommend salted caramel. Much yum.
Elastic detail #1; I placed my elastics on the top third, this means that the remaining two thirds of the light will hang in the jar. What does this mean? Nothing. I just think it looks balanced.
Switch detail; turn it on so that it’ll automatically turn on (when charged) at dark.
Elastic note #2. The jars are generally uniform, but not perfect. Some jars require two or more elastics to suspend the light. If the light falls down just turn it upside down and shake. It only take a few moments to free the light if it falls into the glass jar.
Charging detail. Sunlight works best!
Charming patio LEDs in yogurt jars – daytime.
Charming patio LEDs in yogurt jars – sunset!
Charming patio LEDs in yogurt jars – nighttime.
That’s it! Here are your shopping lists *wink*
- glass jars (Yoplait French Style petites)
- solar LED lights
- hair elastics
The IKEA products on my patio (that aren’t discontinued as of October 2019) are
- HEJNE Shelving
- GLATTIS Tray (brass finish)
- SOCKER Greenhouse
The other Amazon-available bits
Apologies for not having links for the medium white & gold planter in the middle shelf – I found it in Kansas City, and have been unable to find them online. Similarly the Shatto Milk box was also purchased in Kansas when I was able to subscribe to Shatto’s weekly deliveries. Having a milk man was the best! If you’re in their delivery area I highly recommend signing up.
