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Lighted Glass Pumpkin Decor

November 01, 2019

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Clear glass pumpkins with LED lights are all the rage this fall, but you don't have to break the bank to get the look.

Check out this quick tip and be on trend in minutes.

Glass Cookie Jar Pumpkin on table

Every now and again, I pop into the thrift store for a little me time break and find something truly outstanding. Of course, by outstanding, I mean a cute trinket that costs less than five bucks and is in relatively good condition.

The bar really isn't that high.

However, since the prices for second hand items in my community thrift shop are often on par with brand new ones at Marshall's and HomeGoods, it's rare that I leave with a find.

Well, last winter, sometime in early January, I found this adorable glass pumpkin for half price. It was obviously not the proper time of year to display pumpkins, so I tucked it away for the winter.

I knew that when spring or summer came around I would circle back to it and turn it into something super fabulous.

Thrift Store Glass Cookie Jar Pumpkin

I already had one orange pumpkin cookie jar and I used it all the time for different decor purposes throughout the fall. I was thrilled at the prospect of having another around the house.

Occasionally, on the edge of sleep, I found myself scheming and dreaming about that glass jar. I was going to dust it off, clean it up and hit it with paint.

The plan was to have the big guy spray the outside orange, a la my faux milk glass...or give it a light tint of orange on the inside with alcohol inks, like the beauties I'd seen at my friend Sadie Seasongoods.

Either way, it was getting a major makeover.

Then spring and summer rolled in and out and I was busy with a bathroom renovation and chasing the girls around from performance to performance when they released their songs. Believe it or not, I forgot all about that little glass pumpkin.

I barely had time to paint my nails, never mind anything else. It was way off the radar map.

It didn't pop back into my brain until one day I went to get the mail and I saw these lighted glass pumpkins featured in a catalog. I believe it was Bed, Bath and Beyond. I was smitten. What a great look.

Trendy light filled glass pumpkins

I had seen these same glass pumpkins in Pottery Barn, as well. Just gorgeous.

The only thing I didn't like about them was the price. They ranged anywhere from $19.99 to $69.99 depending on the store and the size. Whoa. That's when I remembered my glass thrift store treasure.





The ones featured in the stores were either cloches or came sealed with a switch on the bottom to activate the lights. As I said, mine is a cookie or treat jar, perfect for this project, since I needed a way to get the lights inside.

I didn't have them on hand, so at first I tried a candle, but it didn't have that same magic. I wanted the look I saw in the catalog.

Glass Cookie Jar Pumpkin on table

It was different than candlelight, very elegant, sparkly, but warm and charming. So, after I opened my jar up, cleaned it out and removed all the stickers I headed out to search.

Luckily, those tiny battery operated LED lights are so popular now, they were easy to find - a bargain at a local overstock retailer. It was the only time this fall I was happy to see Christmas decor displayed so early.

LED Light Package
I grabbed a pack, took it home, added two batteries and dropped the string inside. It doesn't get any easier than that. No makeover needed. It was perfect just the way it was.

Dropping LED Lights Into Pumpkin

An ideal evening accessory for dark fall days, and appropriate from the beginning of October right through to Thanksgiving.

The LED pumpkins in the flier seem to have the batteries concealed in a white puck that sits in the base. Mine are not quite as camouflaged. The battery pack is clear plastic, but the batteries themselves have a colored covering.

Next year, I may take more time and order the kind with the hidden pack, but for now this one's fine. During the day the batteries are obscured by the ribbing in the glass.

At night all you notice is the light. Besides, for what I paid for mine versus what they cost at the stores, I'm willing to deal with a fleeting glimpse of those energizers.

Lit Glass Pumpkin

The camera seems to zoom in and highlight them, but in real life it's just lovely.

Small twinkles of light cast from a plain glass pumpkin in my kitchen.

Just perfect without any paint at all.

And way better than anything I was conjuring in my crafty dreams.

Glass Pumpkin Lit on Table with cancles

Have you found anything of interest at the thrift stores lately?




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  1. Replies
    1. Thanks Penny! It’s fast becoming my fall favorite!

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  2. Hi Kim,

    This was a great idea. PB was probably expensive for these I'm sure.

    I'm debating if I want to do something similar with Mason jars for Christmas. I may pour paint on the inside and drain it.

    Have a great weekend

    Cindy

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    Replies
    1. That's a great idea, Cindy! Ooh, I can't wait to see what you do...

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  3. So cute, Kim. How fun when you find just something perfect. I looked for one of those glass pumpkins all over a couple of years ago when the craze was painting with the mirror effect and I finally found one and painted it. I put it away and haven't thought about it until now. Why would one person have so much stuff that a little something that was so special could be forgotten like that? But, yet the buying goes on!! I wonder if the lights would show through? Thanks for your visit. It has been a pain everytime when the lights go out. I feel bad complaining as we have a gas stove for cooking and gas for heating and those pretty little lanterns give off so much light. Some people that are on wells, and there are a lot of them in this area, can't even flush their toilets! But it is horrible without a TV I tell you. OK, we are having great weather now so maybe we will keep them on for awhile this time..Happy Weekend..xxoJudy

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    1. Gosh, Judy, I hope that the power problems resolves itself soon. That is no fun. And I say give the lighted pumpkins are an awesome idea...give it a try!! And keep me posted!! xo

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  4. That is beautiful! I will snatch one up at the thrift store if I see one, not going to spring for the expensive ones. Isn't there something about turning the calendar to November that makes you want to break out the twinkle lights? Wishing your talented daughters continued success!

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    1. Thank you so much, Dewena! I wouldn't spring for one either, they're way too plentiful at the thrift store for sure. And thank you for the kind words about the girls!! ❤️

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  5. I love it! Such a bargain and hardly any work!

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    Replies
    1. That's exactly how I felt, Mari! And they're so pretty!

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  6. So cute Kim. Love the twinkle lights. Have a great weekend.
    Hugs
    Kris

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  7. What a great idea! So simple and cute! I love soft twinkling lights at night.

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    Replies
    1. Thanks Linda! Twinkle lights are my weakness...

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  8. What a great idea! I bet it looks so lovely at night!! Thanks so much for dropping by!!
    Hugs,
    Deb

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    Replies
    1. It really does look very sparkly at night, Debbie!! I love it...

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  9. Fantastic idea. I love twinkle lights. LOVE LOVE LOVE twinkle lights. :-)
    I did not know about the hidden battery LED lights.. I will have to do more research on those.
    Thank you for sharing Kim!
    Carla

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    Replies
    1. I hadn't seen them either, Carla, but thanks to Amazon now I know!! Glad you like them!

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  10. Gorgeous!!!!!! I'm so grateful those little string lights are finally available here in S Africa. They just make everything beautiful. Now if only I can find a glass pumpkin too ;_0

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    Replies
    1. Thanks Michelle!! They really do make everything beautiful!

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  11. I love idea and the cute small white lights in the pumpkin. You could do this with other shapes like a clear tree for Christmas.

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  12. They look like little fireflies having a party inside their pumpkin house. So cute!

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  13. I am going to do this it makes such a beautiful ambiance.

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