Quick LED Robot Ornament

Crafting under pressure is irresistible. This year the Craftzine gals suggested an ornament swap– 12 days before Christmas. With a lot on our plates, we all agreed to make time for crafting eight handmade ornaments each, and the deadline made it even more intense. Cheers to speed crafting!

Step 1

Spray paint some scrap cardboard — I chose silver.

Sketch out your robot designs, either in a notebook first or directly on the cardboard.

Step 2

Cut out your robots’ bodies.

Cut legs and arms from small strips of cardboard.

Step 3

Glue on arms and legs.

Keep a bowl of ice water nearby when using a hot glue gun.

Step 4

Pierce two holes for each LED with an awl.

Feed the LED legs through the holes, minding the polarity. The long (+) leads should both be facing the same way.

Step 5

On the back, twist the two long leads (+) together, and twist the two short leads (-) together. This is called wiring the LEDs in parallel.

Look for the (-) symbol near one side of the battery holder. Stack the holder on top of the LED leads matching + to + and – to -.

The circuit is the same as my LED shoe clips project as well as my firefly embroidery project.

Step 6

Use pliers to twist the LED leads around the battery holder legs, and insert a battery to confirm the circuit illuminates the robot’s eyes.

Use hot glue to secure the battery holder while it’s still on.

Step 7

Slide a strip of paper between the battery and the holder to provide a pull-to-start tab.

Insert the battery in the holder, pinching the paper strip between.

Write “pull here” on the paper strip.

Step 8

Draw buttons, dials, the current year, or any other decorations on your robot.

Don’t forget to sign the back!

Glue on a loop of string for hanging.

Merry Xmas!


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