Glowbubbler 2[]
Here's another way to make a bubble wand from a glow necklace. The tricky part is to NOT break the glowstick's ampules until you're ready. After the glowing gives out, you still have a very functional and durable bubble wand.
1. These are the glow necklaces I used. 22".
2. Rough up about 1" of the necklace's ends with some sandpaper or a file. I used 150 grit.
3. Use a light non-fuzzy yarn like crochet cotton. Cut 2 pieces about 5" in length and also have a bit of tape handy for what follows.
4. Put a very small dab of crazy glue on the tip of the yarn coming off the skein. It keeps it from fraying inconveniently.
5. Using a bit of yarn and a square knot, tie that tip down near an end of the necklace but extending beyond for about 1/4". You can tie it tight without activating the glow stick. Trim the ends.
6. Wrap the yarn around the necklace. Be careful not to activate it. It doesn't have to be wrapped tightly.
7. When you get to the end, use that piece of tape to keep it from unwrapping.
8. Tie this end like you did at the start, remove the tape, and cut the end so it extends beyond that of the necklace's.
9. Use some glue to keep this end from fraying too.
10. Put the (hopefully) unactivated glow stick where it won't get bent.
11. You'll need a nylon hose barb tee. All ends must be 3/8" inner diameter. It's much cheaper at Menard's than Home Depot.
12. Cut off the tee top's barbs by whatever means seem convenient.
13. Take a necklace end connector and cut it in half. There are 2 different styles of connectors you might see - a plastic piece of straw or something with flanges. It doesn't matter for this project.
14. Insert the halved connector pieces into the top's tees about half way.
15. Put some crazy glue on the outside of the connectors where they meet the tee.
16. Sharpen one end of a 1/4" diameter wood or plastic rod.
17. Tie a slip knot around the tee with the yarn as an anchor.
18. Wrap the tee's top with the yarn. Include the connectors' connections.
19. Finish by wrapping the barbed end. Interlace the end with an earlier wrap and leave an extra inch as shown.
20. Insert the dowel into the tee while anchoring the yarn's end.
21. Finished tee connector.
22. When it's time to activate the glowbubbler, push one end of the necklace into the tee.
23. Twist it in tightly. Slide the yarn along the necklace as needed for good coverage and nice appearance.
24. Shape the glow stick into a hoop on a plane similar to the tee's, and insert the other end into the tee. This breaks all the stick's ampules, fully activates it, and decides the angle between hoop and handle.
25. A finished glowbubbler. When you first dip the rig, splash some extra juice on the tee to improve performance.
26. Of course, in pitch dark you can's see the bubbles. This motion effect was under LED lights.
27. After the glowing ends it's still a great daytime bubbler. But it needs strength to stand up to little kids. Add more crazy glue to unglued connections.