Neon Cactus

About

You Will Need (10 things)

Steps (20 steps, 120 minutes)

1. 1

   For this project we're going to need an EL wire, which you can find online for around £5 and a plant pot.

2. 2

   Using the plant pot to get the scale, sketch out the shape you'd like the cactus to be on a piece of paper. Also, draw around the top of the plant pot.

3. 3

   Cover the paper with a clear acrylic sheet, securing in place with some double sided sticky tape.

4. 4

   Cut out the cactus shape from the acrylic, leaving a wide rectangle at the base.

5. 5

   Place inside the plant pot, trimming either side of the rectangle until the cactus fits snuggly.

6. 6

   Cut out the circle shape and sketch a slot to the length of the cactus base onto it.

7. 7

   Cut this out.

8. 8

   Slip the cactus through the circle and place to one side.

9. 9

   Take the green wire and wrap it around the length of the EL Wire every few centimetres.

10. 10

    Make sure to wrap it enough to make the wire stiff but bendable.

11. 11

    Once done. Place the battery pack for the wire in the base of the plant pot.

12. 12

    Slip the wire through the slit in the circle and place the cactus on top.

13. 13

    Pierce small holes through the acrylic cactus with an awl.

14. 14

    Use wire to secure the EL Wire in place.

15. 15

    Slip the other end of the wire down through the plastic circle into the pot. Pop some batteries into the battery pack and test out your light.

16. 16

    Tape the battery pack to the bottom of the acrylic circle and punch a hole in plastic so that you can push the button.

17. 17

    Refit the base cactus in place making sure it's sitting upright.

18. 18

    Fill the base of the flower pot with pebbles or glass marbles to hide the battery pack.

19. 19

    You're all finished.

20. 20

    Turn out the lights and be amazed with your neon!