How Glowyard Factory Manufactures the SM22872 Resin Hedgehog with Watering Can Stake-Mounted Solar LED Light
Cute animal solar lights look simple in the garden, but there is a lot of work behind each one. The SM22872 Resin Hedgehog with Watering Can Stake-Mounted Solar LED Light combines a detailed resin sculpture, warm decorative lighting and an easy in-ground installation.
Glowyard focuses on decorative solar garden lights, especially animal and figurine solar lights for international retailers and brands. This article takes SM22872 as an example and walks through how our factory turns a hedgehog idea into a finished stake-mounted solar statue light.
1. Meet the SM22872 Resin Hedgehog Solar Light
SM22872 is a resin animal solar statue designed to be both playful and practical.
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Appearance
A smiling hedgehog holding a watering can, sitting on a small platform above a slim black stake. At night, the hedgehog body glows warmly and the watering can is highlighted, creating a storytelling scene in the garden. -
Structure & materials
- Polyresin body for detailed sculpting and hand painting.
- Integrated stake structure for in-ground installation.
- Compact solar module and LED system hidden in the base and body.
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Application scenarios
- Garden beds, flower borders and front yards.
- Around paths and driveways, combined with other decorative solar garden lights.
- Thematic or seasonal animal displays, together with other designs in the figurines & sculptures solar garden lights range.
For buyers, SM22872 fits naturally into the solar powered animal garden lights collection as a hedgehog-themed option.
2. From Concept to Design Brief
Every new statue light starts from a design brief, usually created together by Glowyard and the customer.
For SM22872, the brief covers:
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Theme and story
A friendly hedgehog character watering the garden, suitable for family gardens and gift channels. -
Target users and markets
Focus on Europe and North America, where animal figurine solar lights are popular for adding personality to outdoor spaces. -
Performance expectations
- Soft, warm glowing effect through the resin body and around the watering can.
- Typical 6–8 hours of runtime after a full day of charging (under normal summer conditions).
- Outdoor durability for multiple seasons.
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Cost and packaging
A price point and packaging concept that can work for both e-commerce sets and brick-and-mortar retail.
For a broader overview of how statue lights are defined and planned, Glowyard has also shared a general guide: How Factory Manufactures Solar Garden Statue Lights: A Complete Guide.
3. Sculpting the Master Hedgehog
With the brief approved, the project enters art and sculpting.
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Concept sketches
Designers create several 2D sketches exploring hedgehog poses, proportions and facial expressions, plus the position of the watering can and stake. -
Clay or modelling putty sculpt
An artist sculpts a full 3D hedgehog with realistic fur texture, facial features and details on the watering can (handle, spout, flower pattern). The internal volume is considered so that light can pass through the resin body. -
Engineering check
Engineers check that there is space for the LED, light cavity, wiring and fixing points to the stake platform. They also define wall thicknesses suitable for resin casting and light diffusion. -
Master prototype approval
The final master model is reviewed for both aesthetics and manufacturability. Once approved, it is used to create production moulds.
This artistic step is crucial for all figurine products in the animal and figurine solar lights family.
4. Silicone Mould Making and Resin Casting
SM22872 uses polyresin casting, a common method for detailed outdoor figurines.
4.1 Silicone mould making
- A flexible silicone mould is made around the approved master hedgehog.
- The mould is usually split into two or more parts with carefully designed parting lines to capture fine details and allow demoulding.
- Gates and vents are added so resin can flow in and air can escape.
4.2 Resin formulation and filling
- Polyresin and mineral fillers are mixed to achieve the right balance between detail, weight and durability.
- The liquid resin mixture is poured or injected into the silicone moulds.
- Vibration or vacuum may be used to reduce bubbles, especially in thicker areas.
4.3 Curing and demoulding
- The filled moulds are left to cure until the resin hardens.
- Once cured, operators open the mould carefully and remove the solid hedgehog blanks.
- Each blank includes extra material at gates and vents that will be trimmed later.
If you want to compare resin with other materials used in solar garden lights (such as plastics, metals and glass), you can see Glowyard’s material overview: 4 Materials for Solar Garden Lights You May Not Know.
5. Trimming, Surface Preparation and Hand Painting
After casting, the hedgehog bodies go through several finishing steps before they look like the final product.
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Trimming and sanding
Operators cut off the resin gates and vents, then sand the surfaces to remove seams and small defects. -
Priming
A primer layer is applied to help paint adhere evenly and improve colour vibrancy. -
Hand painting
Painters apply multiple layers of colour:- Base colours for the body, face and watering can.
- Shading and dry-brush techniques to highlight fur texture and facial features.
- Small details like eyes, nose, flower pattern and leaf on the watering can.
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Protective coating
A clear top coat adds extra protection against UV light and weathering, helping colours stay bright outdoors.
Glowyard’s experience with decorative garden lights ensures that the painting style and finish match different regional tastes and product series.
6. Designing the Solar Lighting System
While the outer hedgehog is charming, the solar lighting system makes SM22872 functional at night.
6.1 Solar module layout
- A small solar panel is integrated into the platform or housing near the hedgehog, facing upward to collect sunlight.
- The control PCB, battery and wiring are positioned inside a sealed compartment, with leads going into the resin body where the LED is placed.
6.2 LED and light diffusion
- One or more warm-white LEDs are placed so that light spreads through the translucent parts of the resin body, making the hedgehog glow from within.
- Additional LED points or light guides can be used to emphasize the watering can area.
6.3 Battery and circuit
- A rechargeable battery (commonly Ni-MH or lithium-based) is matched to the panel size and expected runtime.
- The control circuit handles charging during the day and automatic on/off at dusk and dawn.
For buyers who want to dive deeper into solar batteries and common battery issues, Glowyard shares dedicated articles such as:
6.4 Waterproof and outdoor design
- The housing is designed with gaskets, overlaps and drainage paths to reach the target waterproof rating (often IP44 for stake-mounted decorative lights).
- Cable entries and joints are sealed to avoid water ingress that could affect the electronics.
For general buyers, Glowyard also explains waterproof ratings in: 3 Waterproof Ratings for Garden Solar Light You May Not Know.
7. Stake-Mounted Structure and Mechanical Assembly
SM22872 is designed as a stake-mounted solar statue, allowing easy in-ground installation without tools.
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Platform and figure connection
The resin hedgehog is fixed to a robust platform or bracket that also supports the solar housing. Screws and adhesives are used according to design. -
Stake and tube assembly
The platform is connected to a slim black stake (typically plastic), often in two or three segments so the product can fit into a compact box. The segments click or screw together. -
In-ground design
The bottom of the stake is sharpened to make it easier for end users to push it into soil, lawn or planters. The structure is checked to ensure it can withstand reasonable bending forces.
This structure logic is similar to Glowyard’s other in-ground and pathway solar lights, adapted here for an animal figurine.
8. Final Assembly, Testing and Quality Control
After sub-assemblies are ready, the production line brings them together and verifies quality.
8.1 Final assembly
- The solar module (panel + PCB + battery) is installed and connected to the LED inside the hedgehog body.
- The resin figure is mounted on the platform and joined to the stake segments.
- Switches and access points (for battery replacement if applicable) are checked.
8.2 Functional testing
- Operators simulate day/night by covering and uncovering the solar panel to ensure the light turns on and off correctly.
- Sample units are left charging under lamps or sunlight and then observed for runtime.
8.3 Visual and mechanical checks
- Inspectors check the painting, colour consistency, surface finish and overall appearance.
- Stakes are tested for strength, and joints are checked to prevent wobbling.
8.4 Reliability sampling
Depending on project requirements, sample lights may undergo:
- High/low temperature and humidity ageing.
- Simple drop or vibration tests on packed products.
- Salt-spray tests for metal components in relevant designs.
For importers concerned about after-sales performance, Glowyard also shares practical advice in: How to Reduce After-Sales Issues and Maintenance Costs for Garden Solar Lights in Bulk Orders.
9. Packaging and Export Logistics
The final step is to ensure SM22872 reaches end users in good condition.
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Inner protection
Custom inserts (foam, pulp or cardboard) protect the resin hedgehog and solar module from impacts. The stake segments are packed so they do not scratch the painted surfaces. -
Colour box and master carton
The product is packed in an individual colour box with clear product photos and basic instructions. Several units are then packed into a master carton based on customer requirements. -
Labelling and documentation
Cartons and products carry barcodes, batch numbers and any required marks (such as CE, RoHS, UKCA where applicable). Instruction leaflets explain installation and basic troubleshooting. -
Global shipping
Finished goods are consolidated in Glowyard’s warehouse and shipped through major export ports, using sea freight for bulk orders and air or express for urgent shipments.
10. Working with Glowyard on Hedgehog and Animal Solar Statue Projects
The SM22872 Resin Hedgehog with Watering Can Stake-Mounted Solar LED Light is one example of how Glowyard combines:
- Creative resin sculpting and hand painting.
- Practical solar electronics and waterproof design.
- Stake-mounted structures that are easy for end users to install.
- A controlled manufacturing and testing process suitable for export markets.
If you are planning your own animal or figurine solar light series — whether you want a customised version of SM22872 or a completely new character — you can:
- Explore more designs in the Solar Powered Animal Garden Lights collection.
- Review our broader solar lights manufacturing guide and statue light manufacturing process overview.
- Or simply contact Glowyard to discuss OEM/ODM projects, MOQs and timelines.
By understanding how products like SM22872 are actually manufactured inside a Chinese factory, buyers can ask more precise questions, set realistic expectations and build longer-term partnerships around resin animal solar garden lights.
