Creating a Lighted Brick?

I believe you're talking about glass block "bricks". We were given one for Christmas, but I have seen them everywhere while shopping this year. They are beautiful. I would think you would only have to drill a hole in the side of a glass block, push the lights thru, and then use a removable putty to plug the hole so that your could swap out any burned out bulbs later. The ribbon would hide the hole, if you left it open. You can likely get the blocks at any home improvement store. Hope that helps!

We made these last year!

The glass bricks can be found at any home improvement store and are around $3.00 each. We had to use a special drill bit to drill a hole in the glass. This is the hardest part and we broke one or two in the process.

For the lights, the best ones are at Dollar General or other discount store. You'll need the 25-bulb strand and you'll specifically need the ones that only have a plug on one end. Dollar stores usually carry these because they are cheaper to make. Last year, Target only had the ones that had plugs on both ends.

We left the hole open and put it in the back.

Good luck!

As the previous posters have stated, what you are talking about it fairly simple to do. You have to use a glass (will specifically say for glass or ceramic tile)drill bit and go about the drilling very slowly. Use a bit of oil around the drilling area to prevent the glass and bit from overheating somewhat. Going slow is the key to not breaking/cracking the glass. If you do several, the bit will dull after 3 or 4 and require replacement. The hole need not be plugged as the lights will not come back out once they are inserted. Most lights will require a half inch hole, thus get at least a 3/8 inch bit...or half inch if you can find one.

On Carol Duvall's HGTV craft show a few weeks ago, she had a segment about glass block lights. To find the instructions go to hgtv.com, click on Shows A-Z, on the far left side near the bottom click on Carol Duvall, the enter the episode #CDW-702.

kidsNclutter

December 30, 20050 found this helpful

photo, anyone?

Susan Sanders-Kinzel
Diamond Feedback Medal for All Time! 1,023 Feedbacks

December 30, 20050 found this helpful

(sent in by email)

I purchased one of these lighted glass blocks, and found out how to make it myself. You need to get a glass drill bit and drill a 1/2 " hole in the side of the brick. I do it in the middle so that the ribbon will cover it up for the most part. Then you feed some small christmas lights through the hole. This is the most tedious part.

I bought one with 25 lights in it, but when I went to buy the lights for the one I was making, I could only find 50 lights. I got them on sale after christmas for 1/2 off. I also got ribbon which was wired after christmas for 1/2 off.

If you buy the lights that are end to end, you will have one extra end sticking out of your brick, and you have to feed the lights into the brick by folding them in half and feeding in very tediously so that both ends are sticking out of the glass, unfortunately, those were the only white lights, with white wires that I could find. I also bought white lights with green wire, and they only had the plug in end.

It was easier, but the look is not as good as the white ones. I have not tried it with multi color lights, but you could. After I fed the lights through I then did the wired ribbon. I am making them for Valentines day to sell for extra money. SO I used red, gold, and white wired ribbon. I have never done this type of ribbon before, so I had to play with it a little to figure out how to make it look good.

You will need some florist wire, or twist ties as you work to form your big bow. I wrapped the box first, package style, then I wired on the bow. After the bow, I tied a piece around the base of the bow, so that it looked like the bow was done in one easy step. It really is not as hard as it sounds. You may add any type of trinkets to accessorize.I am using hearts and flowers (fake of course) for Valentines. I am leaving mine out all year round, and changing the accessories for the seasons. All of this cost me about 5.50 to make with my sale purchases, and I am selling them for 20.00. Not a bad investment! Good Luck.
apreciousnanny

leslie

December 31, 20050 found this helpful

here's a pic of one of several I've made. The lights I've used do come from the dollar store. they aren't the continuous strand but the icicle type...they work fine. white wire is best. Do not remove the "glue" from the edges of the glass block. it helps hide the wires inside. I've also made them where they stand on their side so the clear side faces forward..those I made with cut out letters to spell name, etc. A piece of tissue paper glued over letters obscures the wires in this case.

I have my glass brick with the hole drilled in it. I also have a strand of 35 lights with a white cord. Problem is it looks like WAY too many lights to fit into the brick which is about 6"x8". Any suggestions?

In case MarineWife5 is checking this website, please tell me which Dollar Store you purchased the lights at. The only thing I can find is a rather bulky 35 lights strand.

Thanks.

Just check the page http://www.fluxwall.com and their solution of the problem of lighting the glass block walls.

I have made these and you do need a drill bit that will go through the glass. You need to make sure the hole is large enough to put the light cord into. Make sure you buy the strand that has the white wire (the green is not as pretty) and is not plug to plug. We did not fill the hole with anything. You then need to put the lights through the hole and leave the plug showing. The wider wire ribbons work the best and you will need at least 9 feet. I also added a small embellishment to the ribbon. Flag or stars for the 4th of July, small wrapped pkges for Christmas, etc. I also put a timer on mine and use it for a nightlight in my kitchen

WOULD LOVE TO DRILL THE HOLE WITH A HAND DRILL CAN IT BE DONE?

Here I found some useful tricks and supplies to create lighted glass blocks: http://www.glassblocknightlights...
Enjoy!