The Weekend Project is about creating a lighthouse out of a florist bucket and a chicken feeder. Use this as a garden ornament, centerpiece, patio art or…use your imagination! Having a sea-side wedding? Put this lighthouse on the bar, or line several up on a long table. Need a couple of clever ornaments for either side of the steps? Where could you use a metaphor for a guiding light?
Here is a finished lighthouse. See others below, as well as instructions on making your own.
The ingredients and some possible variations.
You need:
A tall flower bucket such as the tin ones sold in craft stores or online.
Houston International 8392 8-1/2-Inch by 16-Inch Galvanized French Vase
Craft Outlet Rustic Flower Bucket, 15-Inch
A chicken feeder Miller Manufacturing 9810 Round Jar Galvanized Feeder Base for Birds, 1-Quart
A mason jar or old telephone pole insulator
8 very small succulents to fill holes in chicken feeder
Potting soil
Battery operated tea light AGPtek Lot 24 Battery Operated LED Warm White Tea Light Candle Flickering Flashing
Tube of waterproof adhesive Dap 00688 Household Waterproof Adhesive Sealant, 100% Silicone, 2.8-Ounce Tube
Fill the chicken feeder loosely with potting soil. Do not pack it in! You’ll need to move it around with your finger when you plant the succulents so don’t push the air out of the potting mix. You can always add more later.
Put a small succulent into each hole of the chicken feeder. You might need to dust a bit of the soil off the root ball in order to squeeze the roots into the hole. Use your finger to move the potting mix aside first so you can tuck the succulent in the holes.
Once the chicken feeder is planted, add any additional potting mix needed so that when you put the tea light in the center it’s supported. Water lightly…don’t keep this too wet but don’t ignore the watering either.
If you want these lighthouses to be sturdy, use the adhesive to hold the planted chicken feeder on top of the bucket. This lighthouse uses a small mason jar (jelly jar size) on the top.
Here’s how it looks with a vintage glass insulator on the top.
I found this green florist bucket at a crafts store. Why the holes on the sides? I have NO idea. But it worked well with this turquoise insulator on top.
Here’s a blue enamel bucket placed in the garden. You could combine a collection of several lighthouses together, or use several to line and light a path.
