The easiest way to make a plasma is to apply a voltage between two electrodes. Plasmas can be made in ordinary air but it is much easier if the pressure is reduced in a vacuum chamber. Any material at all can be made into plasma but the creation of the plasma breaks the material up into electrons, ions, atoms, molecules and chemically active radicals. This makes plasmas very useful for many industrial applications. Plasmas shine, so they can be used for lighting.
Neon signs are tubes containing a plasma made of neon gas.
Fluorescent tubes and compact fluorescent bulbs light most offices and homes. Streets and highways are lit by sodium and mercury vapour lamps. Movie sets are lit by powerful arc lights. Plasmas have even got into the latest types of TV sets. Each pixel in a large flat panel plasma TV is a tiny, shining plasma.