Life in Rehab is BACK! Get ready for a slew of new projects for the new year! We just can't promise we know what we're doing!

Visit Life in Rehab's new Etsy shop
And because we're good friends by now,
our readers get 25% off
by entering the promo code
REHAB when you make a purchase!
So deck out, do some early holiday gift shopping,
strut your stuff and make a statement!


I'm on a mission. If I have never EVER not once replied to your comments, you may want to check this out: No Reply?



Monday, April 25, 2011

One Hot Torch Song

Outdoor lighting is sure sign of Spring and increased activities like barbecues and late night parks on the porch.
How about we do a little recycling and achieve a nice glow in the dark?
Michael, if you're reading this, close the window NOW.
 My best friend's birthday is in a couple weeks (I'm SERIOUS, Michael, close the window!), and since he has a winery, I thought this would be a fun gift. The original idea was totally swiped from Design Sponge and then tweaked a little.

I'm also going to help you out and tell you what aisle each of these bizarre ingredients is on.

1. Empty Wine Bottles (You can use any bottle you like as long as it’s glass and the neck is 1” in diameter. Be clever!) These are actually from Michael's Sylvan Run Winery
2. Teflon Tape 1/2”
(Plumbing aisle)
3. Top Plate Connector (threaded for 3/8”-16 thread rod) (Plumbing aisle)
4. 1” Split Ring Hanger (threaded for 3/8”-16 thread rod)
(Plumbing aisle)
5. 1/2” x 3/8” Copper Coupling (Plumbing aisle)
6. 1/2” Copper Cap (Plumbing aisle)
7. Two Hex Nuts (threaded for 3/8”-16 thread rod) (Hardware aisle)
8. Two #10 x 1” Zinc Plated Wood Screws (if you're mounting it to wood)
(Hardware aisle)
9. 3/8”-16 Zinc Plated Threaded Rod (I bought two 12" rods and cut it down to four 6" rods with a hacksaw. I made two of these for myself as well) (Hardware aisle. They will have the smaller lengths. You don't need the 10' rod from the electrical aisle)
10. Tiki Replacement Wicks (torch aisle)
11. Torch Fuel (For safety reasons, only use fuel made specifically for outdoor torches. i.e. Tiki brand) (Probably right next to the wicks)
12. Forest green spray paint (Michael's favorite color, and totally optional. You can go for the industrial look)
13. Clear spray sealer (If you want to leave the labels on the bottle)


 Okay, first up, prop your bottles label side up.
 With your gloss sealer, give the labels a few light coats, effectively sealing the edges. Or soak the bottles and remove the labels. I thought torches made from his vintages would be fun though.
 I didn't take into account that the bottle I'd saved from 6 years ago had a completely paper label that discolored. FAIL. Relax, we drank more than two bottles together.
 While that dries, thread the wicks through the copper coupling.
 The caps fit right over that to keep rain off the wicks. Cool, huh?
 Grab your safety goggles and a hack saw and cut your 12" threaded red into 2 pieces.
 The rest of this is a cinch.
 Put a hex nut on either end of your rod about 2 inches in.
 Screw the rod into the top plate connector.
 Tighten the nut against it.
 Screw the other end into the split ring and tighten that nut.
 If you like the way this looks naked, you're not in need of paint.
 Now, you'll notice the wick assembly is swimming in the neck of the bottle.
 Grab the Teflon tape.
 Wrap it tightly around the bottom of the copper piece.
 And we have a stopper.
 Perfect fit, right?


 Slip the ring over the bottle neck and tighten the rod against the bottle to secure.
 But I'm not done personally.





 Yeah, that's more like it. I also put a coat of sealer on it so it would be more resistant to the elements.
 Fill with lamp oil and light!



Obviously, this gets mounted to a wall or post, and only outdoors. Exercise the same caution you would with any small contained fire. Do not leave the flame unattended. For topical use only. Contents very hot. Post no bills. Now in COLOR! Barbie not included. Do not spray in eyes. Not microwave safe. Contents under pressure. Not for children under 3. Do not operate heavy machinery. Wear appropriate safety gear. Very sharp. Not for human consumption. Tell your doctor about alcohol use. May cause rectal bleeding or shortness of breath. Your call is very important to us. The balance shown may not include recent transactions. Please enter the email associated with your account and we will send you a temporary password. What is the name of your first pet? This product contains peanuts. Made with real salmon. Check tire pressure often. High fructose corn syrup. Just a friendly reminder, we have not received your payment. Do not remove under penalty of law. Point away from eyes. Not legal in all 50 states.

22 comments:

Michelle @ Dream Home DIY said...

Hahahaha! I die.... Im sure your friend Michael will love these and then love reading your littly story about them :0)

Unknown said...

How cool is this! FAB :)

lisbonlioness said...

Your safety advice has me in stitches! I love the project, but I swear I love "Barbie not included" even more!

Musings from Kim K. said...

Genius! I'm showing this to Chris. Once the treehouse construction is finished, it's time to get back to other outdoor projects. I love your disclaimer at the end. Totally made my Monday in the office worthy of sneaking in a favorite blog this morning.

Reunion Committee said...

ok I'm in awe of you! thats amazing!!!! So so clever that I just had to comment. I have to show my hubby this post.
Tana
oh im having a giveaway if you would like to enter.. just sayin. lol :)

Jane @ The Borrowed Abode said...

Hey!! You stole Ryan's DIY project. But it serves him right, because almost TWO YEARS AGO he bought supplies and said he was going to make these for me. Pfft. I'll have to remind him.

Anyway, this looks like it rocks. I think it would be extra handy with citronella oil for the skeeters.

**I'd definitely mount these to stakes in the yard, but the idea of mounting to walls makes me terrified.

***I'm kinda bummed there's no barbie included. I think you forgot the disclaimer that you are not liable for damages caused by this DIY. :)

La Vie Quotidienne said...

My goodness...this is so cleaver! Amazing. And the look fantastic. Excellent.

Heather said...

Love all your disclaimers!! What a great project!

Deb said...

Ah Sunny - you never cease to amaze me :) Love this project!

Carol said...

Very cute...Oh yeah, and the wine bottle project is also nicely done. Now go visit my blog and tell me how to get Varanthane out of my hair. Happy Monday!

Carol
antiquetexan.blogspot.com

Unknown said...

Those look awesome! And I died from your disclaimers. lol

~Chelsea

Judie said...

OMG! I could illuminate my entire neighborhood with wine bottles! You're just a genius! I'll drink to that!

myomyohi said...

Cute project. Cuter ending. May cause rectal bleeding... too funny.

Monkey Momma's Crafts said...

I've seen this before in blogland but I forgot about it! I love the reuse of old garbage! Looks really great!!

Princess of Everything (and then some) said...

~snorts~ Barbie not included.

Unknown said...

Ha ha ah! So cute! How do I get the Barbie included? And does she come with an extra bottle of wine!?! Seriously this is awesome! Gotta love a woman in goggles.. means you're doing something dangerous! Thanks for sharing with the Pink Hippo Party!

Rebecca @ My Girlish Whims said...

woah! looks like some intense stuff! you go girl :)

Thanks for linking up to Your Whims Wednesday!

Ginger said...

You are too funny... :)

Unknown said...

Hi Sunny~

Your are a hoot!! So glad you covered all the bases..now I have the giggles!! Thanks for linking to my K.I.S.S. blog bash last week, looking forward to seeing what you share this week.

Drop By The Tattered Tag

Katherine said...

Of course high fructose corn syrup! This is brilliant and looks amazing! Great job and thanks for linking!

Unknown said...

Lovely! I am so going to pull a girl and send this link to my husband. I want, I want, I want. Thanks for linking to ShabbyNest so that I could find you.

Jenny said...

Love this! Hope Homeland Security doesn't worry, though.