Woman Turns Dollar Tree Candle Holders Into Stylish Outdoor Solar Lamps

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Hunker reported on DIY creator Liz Fenwick’s project turning metal candle holders, solar stake lights and glass shades into decorative outdoor lamps. The design uses solar lighting and adhesive, but the report does not provide tested prices for the complete lamp, durability results or details about weather resistance.

DIY creator Liz Fenwick has shown how to turn metal candle holders into decorative outdoor solar lamps by adding a solar stake light and a glass shade, according to a report by Hunker. The project is presented as a no-wiring decor idea using Dollar Tree items and repurposed materials, though the report does not establish the finished lamps’ cost, weather resistance or performance over time.

The lamp’s base is a Black Iron Candle Holder sold at Dollar Tree, which Hunker says costs $1.25 and is available in three heights. The report also suggests using a similar holder from home or a thrift store. A metal-formulated spray paint can change the base color, while using several heights can create variation in a group display.

For the light, the project uses a solar stake light. Fenwick’s method, as described by Hunker, removes the stake and places the solar unit inside an open-ended glass fixture shade, with the solar panel facing up. The shade is glued to the candle holder with E6000 adhesive, and the light is attached inside the shade. Frosted glass can conceal some of the solar-light hardware; clear glass can also be painted or frosted.

Hunker describes cleaning the glass before assembly, using a microfiber cloth, glass cleaner or soapy water. It also outlines optional changes: painting the shade, decorating the holder with air-dry clay or twine, or fixing multiple holders to a wooden base for a grouped arrangement. These are design suggestions in the report, not independently tested performance claims.

A Low-Cost Route to Solar Decor

The project offers a way to combine solar lighting with inexpensive or reused decorative pieces, without running electrical wiring to a patio table or other display. That can appeal to people seeking outdoor accents that do not require an outlet at the lamp location. The source does not compare its total cost with store-bought lamps, however: the $1.25 figure applies to the candle holder, and the price of the solar light, glass shade, adhesive, paint and any other supplies is not stated.

Its practical value depends on details that the report does not test. The light needs suitable exposure for its solar panel, and the assembled pieces must remain stable where they are displayed. The report calls the result an outdoor lamp, but gives no weather-resistance rating or guidance on leaving it outside in rain. Readers should treat it as a craft project and check the materials and product instructions before deciding where and how to use it.

How the Lamp Is Assembled

The design combines three separate objects: a metal candle holder as the stand, an open-ended glass shade as the decorative cover, and a solar stake light as the source of illumination. The flower-like appearance comes from pairing the narrow holder with a glass shade that widens toward its open end. Hunker says shoppers can look for solar lights at Dollar Tree or buy a pack from a home improvement store, while shades may be found secondhand.

The report also notes ways to vary the arrangement rather than treating the lamp as a single fixed design. A more decorative solar light could extend above the glass, and holders of different heights could be grouped together. For a multi-lamp display, the article suggests securing holders to a piece of wood or using a repurposed cake pan as a display base. It does not provide a tested assembly plan or specify how the wooden base should be fixed outdoors.

““These were so easy to make, and I can’t get over how pretty the results are.””

— Liz Fenwick, in the social post quoted by Hunker

Costs and Outdoor Durability

The source does not give a complete materials budget or confirm whether every component costs $1.25. That price is specifically attached to the Dollar Tree candle holder; prices for the solar light, glass shade, adhesive and finishes vary or are not provided. Hunker’s report also does not state when Fenwick made the project or provide independent testing of its brightness, operating time or lifespan.

It is also unclear how well the adhesive holds under repeated outdoor exposure, whether the glass and metal parts are suitable for a particular climate, or if the assembled lamp is designed to withstand rain and wind. The article offers no product rating, safety certification or instructions for a permanent outdoor installation. Readers should follow the solar light and adhesive manufacturers’ directions and avoid assuming the finished piece is weatherproof.

Check Materials Before Display

Hunker’s report presents the project as an available DIY idea; it does not announce a product launch, scheduled event or formal next step from Fenwick. Anyone considering the build can first check local availability and current prices for the holders, solar lights and glass shades, then follow the manufacturers’ instructions for the light and adhesive. Before placing a finished lamp outdoors, readers should determine whether its materials and construction suit the intended location and bring it inside if conditions exceed the product guidance.

Key Questions

What materials does the solar lamp use?

The project combines a metal candle holder, a solar stake light, an open-ended glass shade and E6000 adhesive. Hunker also describes optional paint or decorative materials such as air-dry clay and twine.

Does the complete lamp cost $1.25?

No complete-project price is provided. Hunker says the Dollar Tree Black Iron Candle Holder costs $1.25; the other materials have separate or unspecified costs.

How does the solar light fit into the design?

According to Hunker’s description, Fenwick removes the stake from the solar light and glues the unit inside the glass shade with the solar panel facing up. Readers should follow the light’s own assembly and use instructions.

Can the lamp safely stay outdoors in all weather?

The report does not establish that the finished lamp is weatherproof or suitable for all conditions. Check the instructions for the solar light and adhesive, and do not assume the glass, finish or glued joints can withstand rain or wind.

Source: rss