DIY Chandelier Lamps

I wanted to add some sparkle to my bedside lamps, and I searched online for chandelier-type lampshades, but I couldn’t find any. The closest I could find were ceiling-mount lights with crystals inside a drum shade. Not only were they pricey - they weren’t even tabletop lamps like I wanted. I ended up using them for inspiration instead. Here’s what they looked like:

(Possini; $249; http://www.lampsplus.com/products/possini-euro-jolie-antique-ivory-shade-crystal-ceiling-light__u0278.html)

(Bellacor; $417.95; http://www.bellacor.com/productdetail/creative-creations-1551-4-1-white-rovello-iron-five-light-crystal-drum-pendant-with-white-sha-472859.htm)

 I decided to make my own “chandelier lamps.” Here’s how they turned out:

Different view:

Evening view:

Instead of $249 or more for a ceiling-mount light (which wouldn't suit my purpose, anyway), I made my lamps for only $126.39 each. In searching for the materials to make them, I learned that the fall/winter season is the perfect time for this project because you can purchase Christmas ornaments that resemble crystals for a fraction of the cost of real crystals (buy them at an after-Christmas sale for even more savings)!

I purchased double of everything because I made 2 lamps. To make 1 lamp, here’s what you will need:

Lamp Base. I found mine at Target for $34.99;

Shade. I purchased a large drum shade from Hobby Lobby, $34.99. It’s important that you purchase a shade with a spider/harp fitting on the top, like in the picture below:

• Finial. This one is  from Lowe’s, $2.98;
• Harp, also from Lowe’s, $4.17. You will need the clip-on type:

• 3 Embroidery Hoops. Mine are from JoAnn Fabrics. I picked up a 5” hoop for $2.75; 9” hoop for $3.40; and 12” hoop for $4.05;
• 2 Dowel Rods, 12" long. I purchased a package of 6 from JoAnn for $1.99:

• “Crystals.” Mine are Christmas ornaments from Hobby Lobby, $1.19 for 2 (I got them on sale; they are regularly $3.99); I used 18 packages (36 pieces) for a total of $21.42. You could purchase real crystals from chandelierparts.com instead, or purchase a used chandelier from a garage sale or craigslist and use it for its crystals only, but it would probably cost much more;
• Extra “Crystals” to use as spacers to make longer strands. I found mine at Hobby Lobby in the jewelry-making aisle, $1.99 per package of  7 pieces. I used 4 packages (28 pieces) for a total of  $7.96:

• Remote control from Target for $7.69 (because you won’t be able to reach the lamp’s on/off switch after you attach the crystals to the lamp base);
• Other supplies: Light Bulb, Wire, Fishing Line, and Hot Glue (I had some on hand);
• Tools: Wire Cutter, Scissors, Glue Gun:

Instructions:

1. Hot glue the wood dowels to the embroidery hoops like this:

2. Add wire to reinforce everywhere a dowel crosses a hoop, like this (but you don’t need to wire the very center, where the two dowel rods cross):

 

3. Cut the dowel rods out of the smallest hoop so you have a hole in the center of your hoops:

4. Using fishing line, prepare the crystals so you end up with strands in 3 different lengths. Leave enough extra fishing line to tie the crystal strands to the hoops. You already have 16 short strands, so you need to make (by adding spacers):

1. 12 medium strands (using 1 spacer)
2. 8 long strands (using 2 spacers)

5. Tie the crystals to the embroidery hoops, using the 16 short strands on the largest hoop (4 on each section), the 12 medium strands on the middle hoop (4 on each section), and the 8 long strands on the smallest hoop (2 on each section). It’s important to distribute the crystals so their weight evenly distributed, otherwise your lampshade will not sit level;
6. Add at least 12 extra wires to the hoops. You will use these wires to suspend the hoops/crystals from your lampshade; cut each wire about ½” shorter than the height of the shade, or shorter if you don't want the crystals to hang down as much:

7. Place the harp on your lightbulb

8. Last, tie the hoops/crystals to the lampshade with the 12 extra wires you added:

Here's the finished lamp again:

UPDATE:

I found that the crystals slid around too much when the lamp was moved, so I untied them, drilled holes in the embroidery hoops, then tied the crystals to the holes. Problem solved! Here are the pics:

Thanks for stopping by; I hope you like this project. Please comment, and if you make one of your own - post pictures!

Guest Room, Part II: Guest Baskets

We have enjoyed numerous visitors this summer, and I was inspired to add a personal touch in our guest rooms for friends and family to enjoy. The idea came about after a guest mentioned that she missed her robe, which she had left at home. I was perplexed that she never noticed the guest robes hanging in my guest room closet.

I decided I needed to leave a note for new visitors, letting them know about the supplies we have for them, since I don't always remember to tell them. That idea turned into a basket filled with:

• A personal welcome note
• A typed/saved info sheet which includes:
• where to find towels, toiletries, robes, a hair dryer, sunscreen, fan, luggage rack, extra blankets and pillows
• how to adjust the room's temperature
• the address and password to our wireless network
• Bottled water
• Snacks
• Pre-stamped postcards
• A local map

So far, I've set the baskets out for our last few visitors, and they've been a huge hit. Here's how they look:

Nifty idea, right? Do you have any traditions for your guests?

Guest Room Ideas

I'm big on family and friends visiting, and I love when my guests tell me they feel at home when they visit.

I think it's super important to have bathroom supplies on hand so guests can help themselves to items they didn't think to pack. Enter the "Guest Jar". I pick up 2 gallon lidded glass canisters at Walmart ($9.97), and fill them with samples (including the stuff I bring home from hotel stays, that I never end up using). Then I add labels which read "For Our Guests", and tuck them under the guest sinks. They're pretty popular with our guests!

I'm also a believer in robes; don't you always miss yours when you don't bring it with you? So I picked up some extra soft white robes, and had them embroidered. They each say "Guest", but one is embroidered in blue and one is in pink. They hang in the guest room closets, but always end up in the bathrooms (imagine that).

Each guest closet also holds extra pillows and blankets, a fan, and a luggage rack.

Addicted to Candles

I have a confession. I am addicted to candles. I love what they do to my home: they make it smell good, they look pretty, and they supposedly make you look more attractive, too!

Like all addictions, though, this one can get pricey. Can you imagine paying $129 for a "fashion candle"? I can. I have. Please don't tell my husband. Disclaimer: it was realllly beautiful. It was huge, and it had fleur-de-lis wax accents on the sides. But I digress. . .

Now for the good stuff: you can burn real candle wax, and get all the benefits of the scent and flickering of a real candle, without paying crazy prices. And you only need 5 things:

• A candle you love (new or only very slightly used; larger and higher quality are best)
• A tea light candle
• A 1.5" woodboring drill bit (about $6)
• A drill
• 2 minutes

You are going to love me for this. Love. Me. Because you are going to save lots of money with this "trick".

Here's what you do:

1. Cut down the wick on your candle as far as you can.
2. Drill out the center of your candle using the bit; do this slowly, as you can always make the hole deeper, but you don't want to drill down too far.
3. Drop the tea light into the center of your candle, making sure it sits level with the top of your large candle, or just slightly below the top.

Voila! Now when you want the benefits of a real candle you will burn the tea light, which is replaceable for less than a dollar. You never have to replace your huge, expensive candle again! You also have the added benefit of no more waxy messes on your tables or inside your candle holders.

I used to be pretty crazy about trying to match my tea lights to my candles, but sometimes it's pretty to use contrasting colors. You can also drop in unscented tea lights if you're using your candle during a dinner party. Genius, right?

Let me know what you think!