Prepare the Light Bulb

• 1). Remove the metal end cap from the light bulb using the X-Acto knife to gently pry it away from the glass. You may want to wrap the light bulb in a cloth in case the glass cracks.
  
  
• 2). Wrap the filaments and glass stem that are still attached to the metal cap in a cloth. Hold the cap and gently tap the covered section with a pair of needle-nose pliers until you feel it break off. Remove any remaining pieces of glass from the cap by pulling gently on them with the pliers.
  
  
• 3). Mix the putty with the paint until you have the desired color. The putty will act as both the ocean that your ship rests on and the stabilizer that holds the model in place. Place an ounce or two of putty in the light bulb. Clean any putty smears from the top and sides of the light bulb.
  
  

Build the Ship

• 1). Carve the hull of the ship from a piece of cork, making the hull small enough to fit through the opening of the light bulb.
  
  
• 2). Construct the masts from toothpicks. Attach each mast to the hull of the ship using a small piece of wire bent in a "U" shape. Attach each mast so that it will bend at a 90-degree angle toward the rear of the hull.
  
  
• 3). Cut out sails from card stock. Attach them to each mast by puncturing a hole in the top and the bottom of each and running the mast through the holes.
  
  
• 4). Cut lengths of threads long enough for the ends to reach outside of the light bulb once the ship is inside. Tie a piece of thread to the top of each mast.
  
  
• 5). Bend each mast backward, until it lies flat. Gather the ends of the threads, making sure they extend past the front of the ship.
  
  

Set the Ship

• 1). Grasp the ship's hull with tweezers and insert it, back end first, into the opening of the light bulb. Press down gently to anchor the ship in the putty.
  
  
• 2). Grasp the thread you attached to the first mast and gently pull until the mast is upright in the correct position. Repeat with each thread until all masts stand up straight.
  
  
• 3). Use a toothpick to dab a drop of glue at the bottom of each mast. This will ensure that the mast stays in place once the light bulb is sealed.
  
  
• 4). Gently slide the thread from off the top of each mast once the glue has dried.
  
  
• 5). Apply glue to the inside edge of the metal cap. Gently hold the cap in place until the glue has set.