As a kid, I was never in a place where one could run around in the summer at dusk capturing lightning bugs. You know, after a day of exploring in the woods and swimming all day. Or was that just something that happened to Haley Joel Osmond and Dakota Fanning in the movies? Ah - well, this project warms my heart anyway. Besides being a fun, easy thing to do, it's very eco-friendly and a cool modern yet old-timey gift.
Invented by Tobias Wong, the Sun Jar is essentially a Mason jar containing a solar cell, a rechargeable battery, and an energy-saving LED lamp. Placed in a sunlit area by day, the solar cell inside the Sun Jar charges the battery with solar energy and uses that energy at night to power the LED lamp. At night the frosted jar gives off a warm, soft glow, making it perfect to use as a nightlight. Several Sun Jars grouped together are also a wonderful natural lighting alternative for the garden, as the Mason jar is airtight. Here's how to make it:
Components:
1. Glass jar with glass lid large enough to hold componenets (Ikea makes some for about $3)
2. Solar garden light
3. Rechargeable battery (AA size)
4. Blu-tack
5. Tracing paper or glass frosting spray
Tools:
Screwdriver, Utility Knife
Bringing them together
Step A: Rip open the innards of the solar garden light. I know that may sound ambiguous but you'd be able to use a utility knife and surgically dissect the relevent components out. Solar garden lights are easily available at your local major hardware store.
Step B: Flip open the ikea jar and place the "solar garden light innards" as shown in the picture.
Step C: Cut a strip of tracing paper and place it in the glass jar. OR Use a Glass Frosting spray.
Step D: Close the lid of the glass jar with tender care and you're done.
You can also pick blue colored solar lights for a Moon Lite jar.
