The Porcupine Light

Well friends – finally back after my travels and returned to normality after the holiday season.

The first project for the new decade is one that Juliet found in a great book by

Mark Montano called; “The Big-Ass Book of Crafts”

I had the opportunity to assist her as she worked with a junior youth group, at Irene and Ryan's home in Seabrook, Texas, making the porcupine lights this weekend.

This project involves a bit of a hunt to find the various materials, but if you are in the USA you should be able to find everything you need in the “$” stores.

The Basic Materials

• A medium colander (plastic or metal)
• Night lights (One or two dependant on the size and how bright you want the light to be.)
• An extension cord/cable
• Pack(s) of drinking straws (In a diameter to suit the colander holes)
• Cable ties (As required)
  

The Materials

The Process

Take a straw; fold in half and feed through the colander holes from the rear.(See figures 1 and 2.)

Figure 1

Figure 2

Continue this process until all the holes are filled (See figure 3)

Figure 3

Remove the covers from the night lights and insert into the extension cable.

Check the lamps function prior to installing them in the porcupine.(See figure 4)

Figure 4

Secure the handles of the colander with wire or cable ties (See figure 5)

Then secure the lamp assembly, and the cable using the cable ties (See figure 5)

(Take care not to damage the lamp assembly or cable, and expose live electrical parts. Also ensure that there is adequate air space between the lamps and any part of the colander or the straws)

Do not leave the lamp ON and unattended for long periods. If in doubt turn it off.

Figure 5

The Finished Porcupine Lamp

As well as doing the project with the junior youth we had some fun. Since we were near "space city" we were worried about the aliens. So birthday boy Behi modified the porcupine light with aluminium foil and we took turns of wearing it to stop the aliens reading our thoughts.

The Birthday Boy ---- Happy Birthday Behi

Juliet with the magic hat

Behi

Jim and Juliet

It just goes to show you can have great fun whilst assisting others, or is it that all the crazies have not been locked-up yet? I will leave you to figure that one out.

Well that’s all folks