Friday, March 4, 2011

DIY Lighting - Challenge #1

I woke up one morning last week and, amazingly for the first time, admitted the light fixture in my bedroom is super ugly. Which led me to look around and let sink in that all of the lighting fixtures in my house are super ugly. So, new challenge – DIY myself some cool lighting.

My first DIY light is a small pendant light for my little ones bedroom renovation. I’ve been pining over the very lovely Swarovski Schonbeck pendant light for a while now. But, with a hefty price tag of just over $1,400, the closest I’m going to get is a DIY knockoff.

For some reason I have been carting around an old wrought iron planting pot hanger for years. It was one of those “it could be good for something someday” things (my collection of things drives my husband crazy!). But, couple the pot hanger with a $5 IKEA Hemma cord set and you’ve got yourself a frame for a light.


I made and tied on a slew of beaded strings around the frame of the hanger for shimmer. The colour choices match the bedroom’s new fabric.

To hide the string ties I then wrapped the whole frame with a thin turquoise ribbon.

I still have a few finishing touches to take care of – including tracking down a tin snip to get rid of the extra chain, evening out the beads and installing the light above E's new bed.

So, while I’m not going to be showing off this light fixture at any glamorous exhibits, it does the trick.

Featured on ohdeedoh.com

14 comments:

Anonymous said...

Awesome! I love the light, and I love your blog... not that I need any more projects on my "to do" list, but I love them all the same!

Alecia @ Hoobing Family Adventures said...

I saw this on Oh Dee Doh and love it! I am in the market for a little chandelier for my daughter's "Big Girl Room" and am inspired except I am not sure I can do the project justice.

Chanell D Gautreaux said...

Great project! The beads actually look good not all being the same length.

cindy said...

that's beautiful!

Anonymous said...

Carolyn, you may already have the tool to snip the extra chain. Look in your household's toolbox for a plier that has a wirecutting blade built into them.

Great beaded pendant!

Carolyn said...

Thanks, everyone!

ctb said...

Really pretty!
& so nice to know I'm not the only person w/ a collection of 'someday' stuff - whose hubby also finds it trying = J

Anonymous said...

It's stunning! I've been trying to think of something to dress up bare bulb in my hallway and I happen to have a stash of beads.... Thanks for posting this!

Anonymous said...

This is so amazing! I recently made a chandy, but i made the frame myself too! They are totally worth it :) Great job, love it!

Jane said...

Carolyn, Love the chandelier. Where did you get your beads & what kind of beads. SO lovely!
Thanks,
Jane

Anonymous said...

I have been trying to find a light for our new plum guest bedroom that was not so expensive. This will look PERFECT! Thank you!!

Anonymous said...

I have been trying to find a light for our new plum guest bedroom that was not so expensive. This will look PERFECT! Thank you!!

Anonymous said...

How long did you make each string of beads?

Honeylushy said...

So cute I love that! I might try it out myself