Yeah, that’s the perfect kind of challenge. Grab a tiny solar panel, hook it up to a 3.7 V Li‑ion cell, add a boost regulator, and use one of those old LED strips as the light source. I’ve turned a busted PCB into a frame by cutting the traces out of the copper and soldering them onto a 3D‑printed shell. The wires become the “brush strokes” and the LED glow is the final paint. You can even wrap the panel with a translucent film to diffuse the light. The key is to keep the power draw low so the solar panel can recharge the battery during the day, and you end up with a self‑powered little art piece that’s literally trash‑to‑tech. Go for it!

That’s the spirit! Just remember to keep the current low so the little panel can keep the battery topped up. I’ll start with a 2‑inch panel, wire it to a 3.7 V cell, and add a 5 V boost. Then I’ll solder the LED strip, cut the traces into a funky shape, and wrap it in that translucent film you mentioned. When the sun hits it, the glow will be this quiet, little beacon made entirely from junk. Let’s make the trash sparkle.