Things to Make With Light Bulbs

• Recycle used light bulbs with these clever ideas. Aaron Lindberg/Stockbyte/Getty Images

  Used light bulbs should not go into household recycling containers. However, the experts at Think Green recommend re-purposing your burned-out bulbs. With their availability and special shapes, light bulbs are a great raw material for a variety of crafts and other household uses. Do not use fluorescent bulbs for any of these projects. The powder that coats the inside of florescent bulbs is made from phosphor and is toxic. Remember to wear gloves and goggles to protect your fingers and eyes should the glass break while you're working.

Ornaments

• Turn an old light bulb into an ornament that looks like a snowman, reindeer, turkey, penguin, duck or anything else you can imagine. Cover it in paint, glue on felt details and tie a string to hang it by. This is a great way to repurpose those used light bulbs and teach children the importance of recycling.

Greenhouses

• Remove the contact at the bottom of the bulb to break out the insulator and fill tube inside. The remaining shell makes a perfect humid environment for growing seedlings. Once the seedlings start to grow, you can remove them from the light bulb greenhouse and transfer them to the yard or a bigger pot.

Fish Aquarium

• After you hollow out a used light bulb, rinse it well to remove any dust or glass shards. Add a bit of decorative gravel, and fill the broad part of the bulb with water. This makes a cute environment for a betta fish or a couple of ghost shrimp. Suspend the bulb from a wire stand on a bedside table or a desk in your office.

Window Flower Vase

• Clean out a used light bulb, rinse it well and suspend it from a string or wire at the top of a window. Add water and individual picked flowers. The display adds color and interest to an otherwise-bare window, and you can change the flowers to complement the season and your decor. Decorate the vase with acrylic paint, or leave it plain.

Snow Globe

• Insert small figurines in a hollow light bulb. Add water and glitter, and seal the bottom with waterproof glue for a custom snow globe. Find tiny figurines at craft and hobby stores. This a great craft for children. Just remind them to be careful when shaking the globes, since the bulbs can break easily.