Rope Light, "The" Alternative to Neon

Rope Light, Flex Lite, Plastic Neon, It goes by many names but they are almost always the same product. This flexible plastic lighted tubing is a very popular style of lighting and have a very large number of uses. The most common use for ropelight is outlining, you can use it to outline you building or roof, you can outline signs, they are common place on light displays. People like using this style of lighting for some sort of mood/back lighting. You can hide it and use it this way, underneath a shelf or counter to light up a floor for example.

There are a handful of different styles of ropelight available, sizes vary from 3/8", 1/2", 5/8". They come in a few different Wire counts, 2 wire, 3 wire, and 5 wire. 2 Wire rope light can only flash/fade with a controller, 3 wire can chase, twinkle, flash with a controller, and 5 wire has the same capabilities that the 3 wire has. To help picture how they are animated think of 3 Wire as broken down in to sets of 3 bulbs, so when they chase it's ever first bulb in a set of 3. 5 Wire works the same except there is more bulbs to a broken down set.

Each variant of rope light has it's own specialized power adapters, connectors, splice kits, and so on. You cannot use a 2 wire power connector with a 3 wire ropelight and vice versa.

For more information on Rope Light visit our Rope light page.

Using Christmas lights for mood lighting...

More and more weddings nowadays are using Christmas lights to set a mood, but you can't just buy a bunch of lights and just string them up like crazy...there is an art to it. Here is a couple tips that might just help you achieve the look you're going for in your head.

• Space - Getting bulbs that are spaced further apart (4-8 inches) will really help disperse the light to create more MOOD not just LIGHTING.
• Pattern - If you intend on using a pattern STICK TO IT! Don't give up halfway, because even if you are just using lights to set a mood...people notice laziness.
• No Patterns - Not using a pattern or a set layout is a nice way to create a ceiling of stars or something similar. Use wide spaced sets and try to just have fun, this is usually better for areas that are not going to be main focal points.
• # of Bulbs - People think you really need to flood the area with light...you don't. If being able to see isn't a key you can sometimes use a third less lights to just give everything a soft glow.
• Twinkle - The only standalone twinkle set we offer is only available on green wire,BUT if you are lighting greenery mixing in a coule random twinkle sets really look great. We also have 150 Multi function sets that can twinkle and comes in white wire.

Remember less is more, though if it's too dark...just hang some more lights!

--
Zach Broyles
All American Christmas Co.

Sport Displays

They're here! We've got all our sport signs up and you just have to see for yourself how great they look. Like I said in the last post these signs are great for anyone looking for an alternative to neon, they work great in a bar, your loungs, a sports memorabilia room, and anywhere sports fans get together. They use approx. 100 watts of power, are lit with 1" Bulb spaced 2 Wire Ropelight, and can be wall mounted/hung or ground mounted. Oh, and they ship for free with FedEx!

Click here to view our great selection of Sport Displays
--
Zach Broyles
All American Christmas Co.

Coming soon, Sport Logo Displays!

We have been talking to one of our suppliers and very soon we are going to begin carrying Rope light sport displays, many of the most popular NFL and MLB teams already have signs being made and they look amazing.These Sport signs are great for you home, sports bar, restaurant, anywhere where sports fans congregate. These signs have a high quality metal frame, are lit with top of the line rope light, and come ready to hang right out the box. These signs are lightweight too so that you won't have to worry if they'll rip the hook out of the wall.

Besure to visit the site and we'll keep you updated on these signs as we get them posted.
Here's the list of teams we hope to have:

• Broncos
• Packers
• Cowboys
• Patriots
• Colts
• Rams
• Giants
• Jets
• Bills
• Chiefs
• Bears
• Vikings
• Seahawks
• Ravens
• Redskins
• Steelers
• Raiders
• Eagles
• Cubs
• White Sox
• Yankees
• Red Sox
• Mets
• Dodgers
• Lions
• Cornhuskers
  

Icicle and Curtain Lights

Icicle lights, of all the ways to decorated ones home or business they have to be one of the easiest. Run some along the gutter or roof line and you easily outline your building for a quick and great looking decoration that all can enjoy. Icicle lights come in a variety of colors and bulb counts. The most common bulb counts are 100 and 150, we do offer a 300 pack, but it's just two 150's packaged together. They come in both white wire and green and have a small selection of bulb colors available.

Those of course are just the classic, no frills lights. We are beginning to carry some new and interesting icicle strings, we have some strings that morph from one color into another. We have some strings that have a simulated dripping effect. We have some Commercial Icicle lights that are tough, heavy duty rubber coated wire, can connect up to 10 sets together, and so on. The most different light string is of course are our LED Icicle lights. If you have ever read any of our blog entries you surely know that we are crazy about LED, these strings are no exception. They have strange bulb counts (70 lights and 105 lights) but all the great colors and advantages of LED.

In the same family but for different application, Curtain lights are constructed in the same general way as icicles but have different type drops. Curtain lights have drops that are all the same length, hence the name. They are great for using along walls or entrances. These are popular year around, but during the spring/summer they are used a lot for weddings. A good 75% of all curtain lights sold during the off seasons are for wedding uses. Our standard curtain light string is constructed just like icicle lights, simple, easy to use and maintain. If you need something a little bit tougher our commercial curtain lights (or Wall of Light) is a great alternative. Our wall of light is a tough, heavy duty light string. It has a main power cord that runs along the top, and each drop has a special screw in adapter that allows you to choose where you want your drops. You have more control over you string of lights, and that's always a good thing.

I hope you've gotten a little better understanding of icicle and curtain light strings. Both are easy to use strings that look great for more than just Christmas lighting. Visit our Icicle Page to view all the products we carry.

--
Zach Broyles
All American Christmas Co.

Nativity Scenes and Displays...

Nativity Scenes are a classic Christmas decoration and simply cannot be missed during the season. These types of Manger scenes come in a variety of shapes and styles, everything from the simple lighted frame displays to the larger than life size fiberglass pieces.

We carry a large selection of Nativity light displays. These Displays range in size from 3 feet to 7 or more! These are great because they require little maintenance and care in the off season, just store them (making sure you protect the bulbs, and keep them out of the weather) and you're good until next year. Churches, businesses, homes, parks, anyone can enjoy these larger than life scenes. You can always find Mary, Joseph, and Baby Jesus in a set, but we also carry a large line of other displays too. Wise men, Mangers, Angels, Animals, and more. You can create HUGE scenes will all these pieces.



On the opposite end of the spectrum are the Fiberglass Nativity Scenes. These offer customers with a completely different look. Most of these pieces are hand painted and made of high quality fiberglass and look great outdoors. Like the light displays these come in a huge variety of size, styles, and with many different figures. You can get a huge scene going,with some styles you could have up to 19 pieces! These are expensive pieces but really give a dramatic effect, they can be used outdoors in the weather and lit with spot lights for night time scenes.


Visit either of our websites to view our great selection of Nativity scenes, both Fiberglass and lighted Displays