DIY Glass Bubble Chandelier
February 17, 2010 in Handmade
When we desired a new light to go over the dining table, I wasn’t thinking about making one. Then I remembered designer Jean Pelle’s instructions to make a chandelier at ReadyMade.
A chandelier would be much nicer than our old light fixture.
The original design for the chandelier used porcelain sockets and coiled string. We used galvanized pipe and IKEA.
Materials
- 18 4-inch glass bubble balls from CB2 ($2 each)
- 4 cord sets from IKEA ($4 each)
- 20 gauge floral wire ($1)
- fishing line ($1)
- galvanized electrical conduit and fittings ($12)
- 4 25-watt clear bulbs ($1 each)
Total cost: $70
Method
1. Use scissors to cut the floral wire into 1.5″ lengths, and then bend a small loop.
2. Tie fishing line through the wire loop, and push it into the hole in the glass ball. Now you can hang it.
3. The cords run through the pipe and join at the top.
Is the light off-center over your table? No problem, you can extend it as far as you need. You can also paint it. We like the industrial look.
(Don’t be confused by the change in wall color. Our lease says we can only paint one accent wall per room, so the ceiling and other walls are apartment-beige.)
4. You can see how the lamp cords come out the bottom. Start tying the glass balls to the end of the pipe.
5. Keep adding more until you think you have enough.
And that’s it! We like it, so we made a smaller, easier version for the nursery too.
I love it! It is so cool looking.
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Pat on the back for you guys! Never seen anything like it! Must create a lovely atmosphere at dinner time! yay for you!
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Wow, that is totally cool! Now I want one for my office. Thanks for sharing!
Mrs. Money´s last blog post ..Is Phantom Electricity Draining your Bank Account?
Okay that is just cool! Very clean and beautiful.
It is amazing what can be done when we stop to think outside the box and try to save a few bucks. I made a chandelier in our old home that consisted of a twig, a strand of twinkle lights and a dimmer switch.
I need to think about where I could place one like you made. I love it!
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That is beautiful!
I love seeing all your creative ideas, Rachel–I need to hire you to come work at my house, where I usually seem to be in the corner with a book instead of tackling projects!
Jamie
steadymom´s last blog post ..Get Creative with Photos
very brilliant!
that is soooo cute. i need to save this for our next home!
That is just too cute! Kudos for being creative! We have the same light fixture, and I’m laughing at the “guests getting a tan”
Very cool! I could use one of these to replace the 1970’s-trailer-park-looking light above our dining room table!
Nice! Love your “get dinner and a tan” scribble
Absolutely stunning!
It is rad. Thanks!
Rachel,
When I was at your apartment I thought the new chandleir was beautiful. I didn’t think that you had made it. I thought it it had come from some expensive designer shop. I should have known that you and Doug would have come up with a new and frugal idea. (by the way this comment is from Rachel’s mom and the proud Gran of Lane and Tom)
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Very cute! We are looking for just such a chandelier for our nursery. Thanks for sharing.
Adele´s last blog post ..February 16: I love
Nifty! and super cute! Wish we could swap out the cheap gold-colored one that’s in our condo!
Kait Palmer´s last blog post ..Challenge Days 28-33 & St. Boniface Haiti Foundation
Seriously cute!
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Your post is so timely because the other day I googled bubble chandelier and found these instructions on ReadyMade! I haven’t decided yet if I’m going to try to make one, but your step-by-step photos are so helpful. Your chandelier is beautiful!
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beautiful – simple and minimal. thanks for the instructions, too!
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Love it! You guys are so ambitious. You made it look easy!
Lisa @ lists in my pocket´s last blog post ..On My Nightstand/Prayer Request
Awesome idea! Very IKEA-esque.
By the way, I’m currently doing my own spin on your “no spend month”. It was way inspiring to me!
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Love it!
Jessica´s last blog post ..Momma wants a Brand New Bag
Very nice! I love the way the light bounces off of all the glass.
Farmer Gal´s last blog post ..Days of Our (Nine) Lives
I LOVE this idea!!! I might try hanging the glass balls off a small embroidery hoop and then attach it to our existing ceiling lights. Thanks for the creative inspiration (:
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love your chandelier
i made one myself for my living room above the dining table
see pics here
http://www.file-upload.net/download-2275799/meine-Whg-034.jpg.html
http://www.file-upload.net/download-2275800/meine-Whg-031.jpg.html
emmeline´s last blog post ..Argh!
You know no idea how much I love this, Rachel. So beautiful!
Love the idea! The use of glass bubbles to spruce up the lighting never occurred to me, and I confess I’m going to adopt this!!
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