Saturday, May 1, 2010

DIY Chandelier



I really wanted a chandelier for my front entry. 

I was craving a little bit of girly glamour :) 

Here's the catch...I just really didn't want to spend the money on one. There are some beautiful ones out there, like really really gorgeous ones, but really, would they give me the same satisfaction as this little beauty that I threw together with my bare hands? ;) And sweat...and maybe a few tears. Well, glass teardrops, that is. 

There's something very satisfying about making things. Why is that? Maybe it's just me. I especially enjoy making things out of junk. (Does dollar store stuff qualify as junk?) :)

But seriously...Isn't she cute?





I wanted it to look a little eclectic and not too perfect. Besides, it makes it easier to put together if you're going for a sort of "rough" look!



























Ok....this is how it was done. 

I started with a somewhat cute, but way too small, glass light fixture that happened to be hanging there already. I removed all of the little glass teardrop/chandelier parts and got down to the bare bones.



Then I rigged up a hanging basket frame that I bought at the Dollar store for, you guessed it, $1.



These are the lovely glass pieces from the original light fixture.






And these are some beads that I found for $2.99 and strung onto some plastic wire. (Pain in the butt!)



I forgot to take some pictures of the vintage necklaces that I used, but you can imagine them....the kind you see in thrift shops and garage sales. I used all sorts of pearls, glass beads, etc.

I sort of just strung them up and wrapped them around, and attached them to the top glass piece of the old light fixture (it so happened to have little wire loops all around it). 

Then, I hung the original glass teardrops all around on the necklaces and there you have it....

all done.

(I'm still considering adding some wispy ribbon pieces to the inside of it, so that the light is more filtered, but that's for another day)

For now, it's a sparkly, twinkly little piece of vintage loveliness :)








As lovely as this little 'bundle of junk' turned out, if I'd known there were beautiful chandeliers like this one pictured below for such a crazy-cheap price, I might have saved myself the bother and just ordered one ;)











76 comments:

  1. absolutely beautiful. now that is creative.

    ReplyDelete
  2. THAT is genius! ....and Gorgeous!! thanks for sharing your creativity :)

    its super cute :)

    ReplyDelete
  3. Very lovely and twinkly. It looks so pretty with the light on.

    ReplyDelete
  4. How cool. I love the vintagey whimsical feel to it. So funny you just posted this project. I'm in the middle of making over my Mum's very outdated "good room" and was going to do a similar treatment with necklace beads to tizzy-up her old light fixtures.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Tracey this is BRILLIANT!! How clever are you my friend! I think it looks beautiful, especially with the bulb turned on:) Too clever for words my dear!! Re: the 'pain in the butt' bead stringing - you need to find yourself some 3 - 10 yr old girls, they love doing it!( I have some for hire if you like, hee hee). Enjoy your gorgeous new chandy ~ Tina xx

    ReplyDelete
  6. This chandi is so whimsical and charming, Tracey - lovely!! What a wonderful job you've done! You're so creative!
    Victoria

    ReplyDelete
  7. Right out of an Anthro catalog...it drips with character, charm and elegance. :)

    LOVE IT!

    Cheers~
    e

    ReplyDelete
  8. This is just so clever.. and FABULOUS!!!! Love it!!!

    ReplyDelete
  9. Personally, it's just beautiful! Design-wise, it's unexpected and whimsical...and totally yours; that's the best part! :) -shaunna

    ReplyDelete
  10. so beautiful i LOVE IT ..what a clever women you are ...thanks for sharing XX

    ReplyDelete
  11. Tracey..........absolutely beautiful.................


    Hugs from me........

    ReplyDelete
  12. it's THE perfect chandelier!!! I just LOVE it!!!! those projects are the best!!! I'm gonna keep in mind you'r online workshop!!!!!;)))))
    Beautiful!

    Greetings
    Lynda

    ReplyDelete
  13. Very, very clever and very, very beautiful!

    ReplyDelete
  14. OK are you kidding me here? This is spectacular! Serisouly I love it! This has my head spinning for my closet. I don't want to spend the money on one in there but I really want one! I may just have to give this a shot! Thanks for your inspiration, you are full of talent!
    XO
    Kristin

    ReplyDelete
  15. Great idea! It looks adorable. What fun using vintage jewelry too!

    ReplyDelete
  16. I'm seriously impressed. How cute would this be in my little girl's room? I'm totally copying! PS I'm still so glad I found your blog :)

    ReplyDelete
  17. So pretty and original.
    I almost made one myself - but broke down and bought a cute one I put in my office. The price was right. :)
    I love yours - I still want to make one of my own, so this inspired me!

    ReplyDelete
  18. This is THE answer to a problem that I've been having! Perfect and just genius! I Love, Love, Love it!! Thank you so much. When I do it I'll be sure to link back to you!

    Manuela

    ReplyDelete
  19. SO pretty! I never could have thought of that. :)

    ReplyDelete
  20. awesome! i actually kinda like the fruit basket alone too...but i can just hear the questions..."is that a ...?" yes, yes it is (for the kabillionth time) but the necklace that really caught my eye? the amber glass...naturally, right!? well done my dear, you never cease to inspire further!

    ReplyDelete
  21. He is just perfect...
    how creative..
    greetings Kari

    ReplyDelete
  22. That is such a great idea and it turned out beautifully.

    ReplyDelete
  23. It turned out fantastic, Tracey!! And I agree with you: doing things with your hand is a real satisfaction...and I think it's relaxing too!!!!
    Your chandelier is absolutely stunning!

    Hugs!
    Mara

    ReplyDelete
  24. She is stunning, great job!!!

    ReplyDelete
  25. Hello sweet Tracey - this chandelier is absolutely fabulous! I love it. Love the way you've swagged the beads. So pretty.

    Thank you for sharing!

    Blessings,
    Marie
    http://emmacallsmemama.com

    ReplyDelete
  26. Your chandelier is unique, whimsical and beautiful. Plus cheap! It's the perfect combination! So cute and clever.

    ReplyDelete
  27. Very cute - you must have had so much fun with this!

    ReplyDelete
  28. This is just awesome Tracey! How do you think of making things like this - you're so creative! Love everything about it...its really unique!

    ReplyDelete
  29. Wow, that is amazing! How did you ever think it up? I just love the shadow it casts on the ceiling too!

    ReplyDelete
  30. Really lovely. :) But, the tree picture stole my heart! Where did you get that artwork from? LOVE it!

    ReplyDelete
  31. I love that you made something special and unique to greet guests. Nice job!

    ReplyDelete
  32. Looks so darling! I love it when the bulb is switched on...so clever of you to come up with this simplistic yet elegant beauty!

    ReplyDelete
  33. You amaze me my friend...I love it! I just may do one for my daughters room....thank you so so much for this idea. xoxoxo

    ReplyDelete
  34. i. love. this. it's just so fun but yet classy and spectacular.

    ReplyDelete
  35. That is creative vintage awesomeness! LOVE!

    ReplyDelete
  36. I love it! I'm definitely going to have to add this to my "to make" list!

    ReplyDelete
  37. Great idea. I love it... I will make it for one of my little girl.
    Thank you

    ReplyDelete
  38. That is such a great idea! I love it!

    ReplyDelete
  39. Ohhhh I love me some chandeliers!! This one is gorgeous all lit up! Thanks for sharing!

    Love the painting in the background btw! ;)

    ReplyDelete
  40. You are so talented! It turned out so pretty! I would love one for my house.

    ReplyDelete
  41. GREAT idea! I love anything beaded and sparkly, especially chandeliers!

    You did an amazing job, I think I'm gonna have to follow you...

    Ann Marie

    ReplyDelete
  42. I LOVE this idea, I only wish I could do it. I don't think my husband or house full of boys would approve. Maybe I'll just do it anyway!

    ReplyDelete
  43. That's crazy crafty and beautiful!

    ReplyDelete
  44. ooooohh, pretty! love how you took something and made way more of it. :)

    ReplyDelete
  45. This is beautiful!

    I'm hosting a blog party on Saturday and I'd love it if you linked up! http://www.iamalongfortheride.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  46. That looks so cool - especially with the lights on! I never would have thought to make it like that!

    ReplyDelete
  47. TERRIFIC! I MUST follow your blog!
    rosie

    ReplyDelete
  48. What a fun and shabby look! Thanks for sharing!

    ReplyDelete
  49. Please see my blog for a link and a mention xx Gypsy Purple

    ReplyDelete
  50. You are so awesome! I'll have to give this a try!

    ReplyDelete
  51. Wow! This is gorgeous. I just sent a link to my sister. We may be replicating this!

    ReplyDelete
  52. OK, your chandy is GORGEOUS! I've linked your chandelier to my project post here today too, well done!

    ReplyDelete
  53. thanks much! I plan on copying this for my bedroom!

    ReplyDelete
  54. Your chandelier came out amazing.. love, love, LOVE it!!! I just couldn't help but feature it on my new home decor blog here:

    http://frugal-home-design.blogspot.com/2012/02/gorgeous-diy-and-refurbished.html

    Thank you for such an inspirational post.

    ReplyDelete
  55. Hi there -- Just stopping by to tell you that I too featured your chandelier on my blog & I can't wait to try it out! Thanks again for sharing it. It's somehow made its way out there to Pinterest & I'm sure you're inspiring quite a few people now. :-)

    http://rainintorainbows.com/2012/02/10/pink-closet-redesign/

    ReplyDelete
  56. Thank you so much for this idea! Im super excited to try this in my bathroom. Redecorating in a shabby glam sort of way. I think this will be so perfect.

    ReplyDelete
  57. Oh my, I loooove this idea. Linked you up on my blog:

    http://loverlyshe.com/2012/04/20/five-great-diy-projects/

    Thanks so much for sharing! :)

    ReplyDelete
  58. ı love it, it is cheap and special!

    ReplyDelete
  59. This is just the start of some of the changes I want to make to the exterior of our house but for now, tropical chandeliers lights

    ReplyDelete
  60. Pretty good post. I just stumbled upon your blog and wanted to say that I have really enjoyed reading your blog posts. Any way I'll be subscribing to your feed and I hope you post again soon. Big thanks for the useful info.
    Chandeliers

    ReplyDelete
  61. Love this! I am definitely going to try make it on my own! Do you have any idea of the total cost? Thanks!

    Zia
    I found the best Fishing Lodge Alaska Sitka

    ReplyDelete
  62. Really nice chandeliers i found such kind of designs on this website also https://www.craftlooks.store

    ReplyDelete
  63. Really Amazing Tutorial Did Not Know That if we can make chandelier by own but recentlt did a purchase of chandelier from Stello Light Studio i Wish Read This Before any way thank you

    ReplyDelete
  64. Really Amazing Chandelier, Make your homes colorful with energy efficient lighting solution and get cheapo led ceiling light in lighting technologies at India. Looking for home decoration and modifying your space make in India.

    ReplyDelete
  65. Informative blog!
    Thank you,
    Relucente

    ReplyDelete

Thank you so much for your comments! I love reading every single one :)

Related Posts with Thumbnails