Creative Ways To Upcycle Vintage Glass Insulators

 

Vintage glass electric insulators are so cool! What were they used for? They were used to separate the electrical wires from the wooden telephone poles, basically insulating the poles from the wires so that the poles didnt burn down. They were commonly made of glass or porcelain. 

(Read here for lots more info on insulators)

Check out what some creative folks below have done with them...

Threaded insulators. Read all about them at Glassian

Check out this fabulous outdoor chandelier made by Vickie at Ranger 911

Mini-lights

Barn wood insulator scone by timelessjourney via Etsy

Lamp made from glass insulators

Vintage glass insulators as post caps, image via Pinterest

Glass insulator sconse from Conant Metal & Light

Insulator hanging planter (above) and luminaries (below) by Mark Kintzel

Insulator tree 

Insulator candle holder by Tracys Trinkets and Treasures

Insulator used to hold flowers

Insulator pendant lights from RailroadWare

Cute insulator coat rack with DIY from Katie at Creatively Living

Insulator mantle art by Afterglow Studio

Insulator Christmas tree


Read more about insulators here!

I hope you enjoyed this look at upcycled vintage glass insulators. What would you do with old insulators? Id love to hear from you so please leave your comments below! 

Enjoy your week! 

Love, Laura

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(this is an updated post that was originally published on 8/9/2012) 

Check out my new jewelry instruction books and DVDs!

   

Learn how to solder and make unique jewelry!

My broken china jewelry is always available for purchase at https://www.etsy.com/shop/dishfunctionldesigns

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A New Arrival On My Doorstep!

I had a nice surprise the other day when I found this box on my doorstep! 

It was a case of my new book, 

Soldered Alchemy: 24 Jewelry Projects Using New Soft-Solder Techniques

The release date is June 12, 2015, so stay tuned! 

What do you think?

Check out my new DIY jewelry instruction books and DVDs!

   

Learn how to solder and make unique jewelry!


My broken china jewelry is always available for purchase at https://www.etsy.com/shop/dishfunctionldesigns

Read More..

Creative And Beautiful DIY Rain Chains

Ill admit it, Ive got a thing for rain chains. I love the sound of rain. I love the smell of rain.
 I love a good thunderstorm. I even love songs about rain! And I love rain chains. 
I think theyre so pretty and add a unique touch to a home.
 Whats a rain chain you ask?

Popular in Japan, rain chains are known as kusari doi, and have been around for 
hundreds of years. Hung from a roof gutter, they are used to collect rain water in 
barrels or basins that are placed below the chains end. They are also used to direct rain
 water away from the home (as a modern downspout does). Not only are rain chains an 
attractive alternative to traditional downspouts, but they can also add unique interest and 
beauty to your homes exterior garden landscape. 

How about making your own rain chain? 
Read on to check out some great rain chain ideas and be inspired!   

DIY spoon rain chain project with instructions from Birds & Blooms. I really like this 

project and I think I am going to try to make this one myself! 

Simple chain with vintage barrel from Victoria Skoglund

Beautiful ceramic rain chains (above and below) by Joan Engelmeyer at City Art Farm
 via Etsy

Heart rain chain from Wade Creek House Antiques

DIY rain chain made with small metal buckets with instructions by DIY Maven at Curbly

8ft solid copper swirl rain chain by Twists On Wire via Etsy

DIY ombre rain chain with instructions from Design Sponge

Colorful stained glass rain chain by WhenLifeGivesURocks via Etsy

Funnel rain chain 

Funnel rain chain DIY instructions from Mother Earth Living

Funnel Vision by Jan Bigelow via Junk Market Style

Fork and spoon rain chain (above and below) by Im Going To Texas

Rain chain with hummingbird. Beautiful photo by LeAnn Locher (Lelo in Nopo)
image via finegardening.com

Rain chain with rain pot from Central Coast Gardening

Pinecone rain chain by Burbs and the Bees

Copper rain chain as a succulent planter by Two Thirty~Five Designs via Hometalk

Frozen rain chain in winter from Getting Back To The Basics blog, niroha.com

What do you think?

Pin this post!

Check out my new DIY jewelry instruction books and DVDs!

   

Learn how to solder and make unique jewelry!


My broken china jewelry is always available for purchase at https://www.etsy.com/shop/dishfunctionldesigns

Read More..