DIY Mesh Pencil Holder Solar Lamp | High-End Wireless Lighting

Turn a basic office supply into a stunning, crystal-draped solar lamp for a sophisticated boutique glow.

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I am always on the hunt for “hidden” glam potential in the most ordinary items, and today I’m tackling the humble mesh pencil holder! I’ve seen similar crystal-encrusted lamps in high-end boutiques for a fortune, but I knew I could engineer a cordless, solar-powered version myself using just a few Dollar Tree supplies. This project is all about the layers of bling—from the bejewelled base to the cascading crystals—creating a piece that looks absolutely exquisite on a patio table or a foyer console.

📺 WATCH: See the mesh pencil holder lamp transformation here.

Materials

Browse my curated list of Favorite Craft Supplies, Tools & Embellishments

Jumbo mesh pencil holder (Dollar Tree – ensure it is see-through)
Glass candlestick holder (repurposed garage sale find)
Small glass holder (to serve as the light mount)
Solar garden light (stick portion)
Hanging crystal pendants/garlands
Clear crystal gem clusters (leftover from previous projects)
Crystal gem stickers
Acrylic crystal doorknob (optional topper)
Silver metallic paint (optional, for base)

Tools

E6000 industrial adhesive (for permanent hold)
Hot glue gun and glue sticks
Scotch tape
Gem picker tool

💡 Sandy’s Crafting Tips & Hacks

The “Tedious” Secret: I’ll be honest, counting out and hanging dozens of individual crystals can be a bit tedious! My best advice is to put on your favourite music, grab a cup of coffee, and just enjoy the process—the final shimmer is so worth the extra time.
Charging Through the Mesh: Don’t worry about the solar panels being covered! Because we are using a mesh holder, enough light can get through the little holes to power up the solar stick during the day, and then glow beautifully through those same holes at night.
Permanent Base Bonding: When you are stacking glass components like the candlestick and the light mount, always use E6000. Hot glue is great for speed, but for a piece you’ll be picking up and moving around, you really want that rock-solid, permanent bond.
Stash-Diving: I love dipping into my “stash” for this project! Using leftover crystal clusters from previous mirror projects is a great way to save money and ensure your home decor pieces have a cohesive look.

Instructions

Bling Out the Base: I like to start by decorating my candlestick holder base. For mine, I needed to apply three coats of silver metallic paint first to cover the original gold. Once dry, I applied my crystal gem clusters. I realized I wanted even more sparkle, so I went back in and added crystal gem stickers to fill in the gaps until the entire base was shimmering.
Mount the Light Base: Once the candlestick was decorated, I glued a small glass holder to the very top. I used E6000 here to ensure it stayed permanently attached, as this is where the light source will sit.
Prepare the Shade: I took my mesh pencil holder and started decorating it with my hanging crystals. This holder is going to become our lampshade. I counted out the exact number of crystals I wanted to hang first to make sure the “waterfall” effect was even all the way around.
Install the Solar Unit: To add the light, I took my solar stick and used a bit of tape to secure it vertically inside the glass holder on the base. You want to make sure the mini solar panels are facing upward. If you prefer, a dollop of hot glue works great here too!
Assemble the Silhouette: I then proceeded to place my newly decorated mesh lampshade right over the top of the lamp base. It should sit snugly over the solar stick and the glass mount.
The Final Finial: To top everything off, I added a piece of crystal to the very top of the lampshade for that extra bit of “designer” bling. If you want a different look, an acrylic crystal doorknob looks amazing as an alternative topper!