I have another original “glue as a medium” project for you all! Just like our ghost lights, you can make these festive icicle lights quickly and easily with your AdTech hot glue gun, AdTech’s clear, non-yellowing hot glue sticks, and LED lights.
Supplies you will need:
- AdTech® Project Pro Glue Gun Click here to buy on Amazon (You can also use the lo-temp mini gun featured in the ghost lights post.)
- AdTech® Multi-Temp Mini-Size Glue Sticks Click here to buy on Amazon
- Battery-operated LED string lights (Must be LED bulbs that don’t heat up! This project has not been tested with plug-in LED lights.)
IMPORTANT: Anything made with hot glue will start to melt above 140 degrees Fahrenheit. Do not leave your finished project in a hot car, near a heater, run it through your clothes dryer, etc.
Step one: Cut the glue stick to size and attach the glue sticks to the lights.
The number of glue sticks you’ll need depends on how many LED lights you have on your string. I used our 4-inch mini glue sticks, cut them in half and put one half on each light. You will also need extra glue sticks for the texture layers. I highly suggest you use AdTech glue sticks because they are transparent and won’t yellow like other glue sticks!
Heat up your glue gun. I usually prefer a low-temperature glue gun for this type of project because it will make your glue stick base less soft while you’re working, BUT I decided to use the Project Pro this time because it’s a great little gun, and the hi-temp cures more transparent (and icicle-like) than the lo-temp.
Pick up a glue stick and push the nozzle of the gun into the end of the glue stick to melt a divot into it – long enough to submerge the bulb part of the light.
IMMEDIATELY push one of the light bulbs into the glue divot to bond. Hold for a few seconds until it bonds. If it doesn’t bond all of the way, just add a little hot glue around the top of the bulb to bond it in place.
Step two: Add hot glue layers.
Using your hot glue gun, add layers of hot glue over the glue stick base, alternating sides. If your glue stick base starts getting too warm and flexible, wait minute or so before adding more hot glue. Patience is key.
Just keep adding lines of hot glue until you get the shape you want. Add a dribble to the bottom to make it “pointy”.
That’s it! Each icicle takes a little bit of time, but you will end up with something really unique and inexpensive. I hope you enjoy this project and I wish you the happiest of holidays!
Love what you created? We will, too! Tag us in your image on Instagram, @adtech. Use the hashtags #glueasamedium and #thisishotglue so others can see your creation!
