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!

Halloween Tabletop Decoration

This year, I wanted to add a large tabletop decoration to my Halloween repertoire. First, let me show you how it turned out, then I'll explain how I made it.

My creation:

I started with this arrangement, which I purchased on sale at Hobby Lobby:

I picked up these accessories, also on sale, from Michaels:

 

 

 

 

First, I replaced the miniature red lights in the tombstone's skull with large crystals (if you try this, set your glue gun to the coolest setting, or the foam tombstone will melt):

Than, I drilled a small hole in the base of the tombstone, and glued in a wooden dowel rod:

Last, I assembled it! Here's the finished project, again:

I'm debating whether or not to add lighted branches behind the tombstone, like in my inspiration piece:

One of the best things about my version: the cost!
Inspiration piece, full retail: $399
DIY, full retail: $159
My cost: $92.50

Here's the breakdown:
Large pumpkin with fall foliage (Hobby Lobby, regular $100, less 40%): $60
Skeleton (Michaels, regular $15, less 50%): $7.50
Tombstone (Michaels, regular $10, less 50%): 5
Large glittered crow (Michaels, regular $22, less 50%): $11
Small glittered crow (Michaels, regular $8, less 50%): $4
Black daisies (Michaels, $1 each): $4
Wooden dowel (Michaels): $1

Cookie Exchange Idea: Lumps of Coal in Christmas Stockings

I was invited to a cookie exchange recently, and told that "packaging counts." The pressure was on! I scoured the Internet, but couldn't find a cute cookie with coordinating packaging. So I used a recipe from Pinterest called "Lumps of Coal," and packaged the cookies in miniature stockings. They received rave reviews!

Here's the recipe:

Lumps of Coal

16 oz. package Oreo cookies

4 cups large marshmallows (1 large bag)

1/4 cup butter

1.      Butter an 8” x 8” pan.

2.      Grind Oreos in a food processor or blender. 

3.      Melt butter in large pot on low heat. When melted, add marshmallows;

        raise heat to medium. Stir constantly until marshmallows are melted.

4.      Add Oreo crumbs, then quickly press mixture into buttered pan.

5.      Quickly cut into 15 large or 30 small squares. Mold into coal shapes.

Here's what my kitchen looked like, mid-baking and packaging:

Here's how the cookies looked before I placed them in the stockings:

. . . and in the stockings:

 The final product, ready to take to the exchange: