Upcycle Tiki Torch Stakes Into A Vintage Outdoor Light With One Thrift Find

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If you're a regular at the thrift store, you probably love a good find and getting more for your money. This DIY solar light stake is an easy project you can make mostly from thrifted or upcycled items. A run-of-the-mill tiki torch can divide and conquer two different DIYs, whether you find it at the thrift store or dig last year's torches out of the shed. Take out the fuel canister and use it for this DIY mosquito torch. What you have left is a strong stake topped with an empty metal basket. This fixture is ready to turn into statuesque solar lights featuring vintage glassware, which you can also score while thrifting.

When finding the glassware for your solar light stake, look for something colorful and ornate that will fit inside the canister area of the tiki stake. Sandwich glasses are an example; they're made from colored glass with relief patterns and a short stem. Originals are valuable items to seek out at thrift stores, so make sure yours aren't priceless treasures before launching into this DIY. Thrifting a full set of glasses like this is no easy feat, so to pull off the same look, you may have to hit up vintage sellers, settle for new knock offs, or get creative with what you find.

Topped with a solar light and reinforced with a bit of heavy-duty glue, this flame-free light feature is functional but also pretty and slightly quirky. Grab heavy-duty glue rated for outdoor use and one tiki torch and one solar light for each glass you have. Even a single lantern will look cute at the side of your porch or alongside your entryway.

You'll want torches with open-sided baskets so the glass is visible. A couple of good designs are this FALBAWR garden torch set with a rectangular grid pattern and the more decorative Fan-Torches black metal outdoor torches. During your Goodwill hunt, keep in mind the dimensions of the tiki torches' baskets to ensure the glasses slide in easily. Purchasing the torches first makes your search for glassware easier. Slide the fuel canisters out, and measure the height and width of the basket. Take a measuring tape to the thrift store to check any glasses that strike your fancy.

Any seasoned thrifter knows that finding a full set of something is like striking gold. If you can't find matching glasses, compile a collection of different vintage pieces, like painted juice glasses or commemorative drinkware. Any glass container will work as long as the dimensions are correct. You can also mix and match glassware in different colors, patterns, and styles for an eclectic, whimsical display. Another option is painting a grouping of otherwise plain glassware. Use vinegar as a secret weapon when painting glass to create a clean base, and paint the glasses in solid colors or with unique patterns. You can also spray paint the stakes if you want to change the color or cover worn spots.

Slide the glasses into the torches' baskets, and secure the glasses in place with dabs of glue. Remove the solar lights from their posts, and set them inside the glasses. However, don't glue the lights in place since you may need to take them out for maintenance or to replace them. Then, push the stakes into the ground in a sunny spot where you want a touch of sparkling glass each night.