DIY The Most Whimsical Mushroom Lights Using A Hot Glue Gun

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Along with tiny houses, miniature wishing wells, and teensy creatures, fairy lovers are often fond of mushroom decor. If you've been wondering how to make your home feel like a fairytale cottage and you're on team mushroom, this Instagram DIY decor hack is for you. In a few simple steps, you'll upcycle ordinary fairy lights into the sweetest glowing mushrooms.

To recreate this charming look, you'll need a hot glue gun and mushroom cap molds, such as the lid section of these Curtek Mushroom Silicone Molds. Hot glue typically doesn't stick to silicone, so don't worry about lining the surface before creating your mushrooms. If you don't want to buy molds, you can follow the Instagrammer's example and have a go at making your own. You'll be amazed at what you can do with items from your kitchen. A quick and easy option is to create mushroom cap molds using aluminum foil. If you find the glue is getting stuck to the foil, line each mold with a thin layer of petroleum jelly to prevent this. 

The beauty of making your own is you get to decide what size you want. Fill the molds with hot glue and let them dry. Make as many as you need to cover each lightbulb. To attach the mushroom caps, begin by creating a short mushroom "stem" below each light by twisting the wire. Cover the light and the twisted wire with hot glue and then press the mushroom lid into place over the top of the bulb.

For the best effect, choose lights with plain gold or silver wire rather than those with a plastic coating. Wire will allow you to shape the stem, while the plastic may resist being twisted — a stemless mushroom just won't look right. It's up to you whether you play around with making the mushroom caps different sizes, or if you keep them uniform. A variety of sizes gives you a more natural effect. 

These charming mushroom lights will add a touch of magic wherever you hang them. Use them as the lighting solution that adds whimsical charm to your closet, decorate bookshelves, or light up your fairy garden. Of all the genius hot glue hacks you should be using around the house, these mushrooms are the quaintest. For a sparkly effect, go ahead and sprinkle glitter into the glue while it's still wet. Using extra fine holographic glitter will give your mushrooms an iridescent sparkle that is understated and less obvious than regular, colored glitter.

Adding color to hot glue can change the look of the mushrooms completely. Experiment with adding powdered pigments, poster paint, or liquid dyes. You can even use shavings of wax crayons, which will melt into the glue. If mushrooms don't suit the vibe of your room, you can play with other molds, such as GeoGeoDIY Marine Theme Silicone Molds or Aswewamt butterfly silicone molds, or adapt your choice to suit your theme.