3 Ways to Make a Chandelier

2024 Author: Jason Gerald | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 10:50

You can place an elegant chandelier in your home without spending enough money to make it. There are many ways to make a chandelier, and most make use of existing ceiling lighting fixtures or used chandelier frames. Keep reading for instructions on how to make three simple chandeliers yourself.

Step

Method 1 of 3: Glass Ball Chandelier

Step 1. Make a string of beads

Use a sewing needle to weave a thick thread through a series of eight beads. Make 3 to 4 dozen strands.

• Push the thread through the same side of each bead in the strand. Then, repeat the process by knotting the thread and weaving it through the opposite side of each bead.

  

• The beads should be flush against the thread when finished.

  

• Use gold and silver beads. You can make whole gold strands and all silver strands, or you can mix colors on each strand.

  

• Use light or clear yarn for best results. You can also use metallic thread that matches the color of the beads.

  

• If you prefer an asymmetrical look, you can alternate the number of beads on each strand, creating lengths that vary from 6 to 10 beads.

  

• The exact number of strands you need will depend on how big your chandelier will be and how full you want the look to be.

  

Step 2. Hang your ornaments

Make various strands of clear glass ornaments by tying thick, fishing line, or clear colored jewelry thread to the top wire of each ornament.

• Thread the top wire of the ornament, where there is usually a hook. Make a knot in the thread to hold it in place.

  

• The number of ornaments on the strands should vary from about 2 to 6 per strand. Make more strands with two or three ornaments as these strands will lie on the outer edge.

  

Step 3. Prepare the metal lampshade frame

Use spray paint to paint the outline white.

• It is only an option. If you like the current color of the outline, you don't need to paint it.

  

• You can also paint the frame black, gold, or silver. For a brighter, less traditional look, you can paint the frame in any color that matches your room's décor.

  

• Only use spray paints that are approved for use on metal.

  

• Make sure that the wide section of the lampshade frame is large enough to fit onto the base of your existing ceiling lamp, which you will use to mount the chandelier. The skeleton will turn upside down when hanging.

  

Step 4. Attach the beads and ornaments to the skeleton

Flip the skeleton. Tie and knot the string of beads on the wide part of the frame and the ornament strand on the small ring and the "Y" wire running on the smaller ring.

• Arrange the strings of beads in the order you want them to be. For a nice, full look, you should position the strands so that the distance between each is slightly smaller than the diameter of each bead.

  

• Arrange the ornament strands so that the shorter strand is attached to the ring, while the longer strand is attached to the "Y" wire.

  

Step 5. Attach the tape to the metal frame

Measure the length of the tape so that it fits around the wide ring of your metal frame. Cut and sew the ribbon over the ring.

• You can use any colored ribbon you want, but it should be opaque enough to hide the ends of the string of tied beads.

  

• Attach the tape to the wire using a needle and thread. Place the tape over the wire. Pull the needle you inserted through the tape, around the wire, and back through the front of the tape. Repeat this process until all the tape is attached.

  

• If necessary, you can temporarily secure the tape with craft glue or hot glue while you're sewing. However, you should not rely on permanent glue.

Step 6. Install the chandelier

This process may vary depending on the existing ceiling light base setup, but these instructions apply to a standard base.

• Start with a lamp base that still has the lamp in it. Since there is no light source in this chandelier, you will need to rely on an existing light source.

  

• Make sure that the light is "off" to prevent yourself from being electrocuted.
• Cut a length of thick wire that matches the circumference of the lamp base. The wire should fit snugly under the lamp base.
• Attach four or more strands of thick fishing line to this loop of wire. Attach the ends of each strand to the wide ring of your chandelier at the bottom of the ribbon.
• Remove your lamp base a bit. Tuck the wire ring you made under the base and secure the disc over the wire.
• Check the lighting fixture and chandelier to make sure that they are firmly in place.
• With this, your chandelier is done.

Method 2 of 3: Paper Scallop Hanging Lamp

Step 1. Paint the plant basket out of wire

Use spray paint to color the basket frame.

• Be sure to use a spray paint that has been approved for use with metal.

  

• White, black, silver, gold, and bronze paint has a very traditional feel, but you can use any color that matches the decor of your room.

  

Step 2. Cut and stack the parchment paper and wax paper

Cut parchment paper to a size of 91 cm and three wax papers to a size of 46 cm. Spread parchment paper on the ironing board and place three pieces of wax paper inside. Fold the parchment paper over the wax paper to seal the wax paper sheet inside.

• The parchment paper helps the wax stick together and stay within the paper layer. It also creates a smooth surface on the wax paper.

  

• If you don't have an ironing board, you can spread it on a dishcloth in the middle of the floor or table.

  

Step 3. Iron the paper at the same time

Use a low setting on your iron. Run the iron over the stack of paper several times to melt the wax paper layers together.

• Remove the wax paper layer from the parchment. The wax paper should stick together, but should not stick to the parchment paper.

  

Step 4. Repeat the steps for ironing the paper

Continue stacking three layers of wax paper until you have used up the entire roll of wax paper.

• For a larger basket frame, you may also want to use half of the second roll.
• You don't need to use new parchment for each layer. Parchment paper can be reused.

Step 5. Cut circles out of wax paper

Use a circle cutter to cut a 6.35 cm circle from each sheet of wax paper. Cut out as many circles as possible.

• If you don't have a circle cutter, you can use a cookie cutter or other circular stencil that is about 6 inches (6.35 cm) in diameter. Trace around the stencil using a razor or craft knife.

  

• Cut a circle shape on the cutting mat. It can be helpful to glue the wax paper to the cutting mat as you work to prevent it from sliding.

  

Step 6. Cut and attach the ribbon to the plant basket

You will need to cut anywhere from 90 to 120 strands of ribbon.

• You can attach the tape in single or double layers. The method you use will determine the required length of each strand.

  

• Single layer tape should measure about 18 cm and double layer tape about 41 cm.

  

• Use a hot glue gun to glue the ends of the single layer strands over the horizontal line of the basket.

  

• Fold in two double layer strand tape. Make a ribbon knot over the horizontal line of the basket.

  

• Attach tape to each horizontal line of your basket frame, starting at the bottom and working your way up. There should be very little excess space between the strands of ribbon.

Step 7. Glue the paper scallops on the ribbons

Use a small dot of hot glue to attach the top of each shell to the tape.

• Attach only the shells to each ribbon and alternate between two and three shells per ribbon.

  

• The shells on each strand should overlap each other by about 0.635 cm.

  

• Start with the bottom layer and work your way up to the higher layers.

  

• Continue until the layers of ribbon on each level have been decorated with the scallops.

  

Step 8. Install the chandelier over the existing ceiling light

For best results, choose a simple light fixture that extends low enough to fit over a plant basket.

The light from the existing furniture will appear to "shine" highlighting the paper scallops

Method 3 of 3: Lucite Disc Chandelier

Step 1. Gather your materials

You'll need a recycled chandelier frame, lucite discs, nail polish, and a stainless steel jump ring.

• The chandelier should have a cylindrical shape and hooks that go around the entire piece of furniture. Save money by buying a chandelier at a thrift store or by getting a broken one from someone ready to throw it away.

  

• Lucite discs, also known as plexiglass, plastic, or acrylic glass discs, must be 10 cm in diameter and approximately 3 mm thick. You will need two discs for each hook on your chandelier frame.

  

• Use an inexpensive, slightly glossy nail polish. You don't need anything too expensive; cheap nail polish will work just fine. Be creative with the colors of your choice.

  

• The stainless steel wire ring should be a 20g ring about 1.25 cm in diameter. If you don't want to buy the ring, you can make your own by wrapping a 1.25 cm (1.25 cm) tube of lip gloss with thick wire.

  

Step 2. Paint each disc with nail polish

You will need two colors of nail polish. Light colors are brushed first, then darker colors.

• Pour your first color onto the disc in a spiral circular motion. Quickly spread the paint with a nail polish brush so that it coats the entire disc. Once the paint has spread, smooth it out by sweeping it again in a spiral from outside to inside. Use only your wrists when making paint circles and keep the circles connected.

  

• Pour a small puddle or 4 to 5 drops of the second color into the center of the disc. Scramble the paint using a paint brush, from the inside out. Make circular motions with the nail polish so that it gradually appears to fade to the first color. The second color should only coat about 1/3 of the surface.

  

• Let it dry.

  

• If you're not happy with how your disc looks, dab some nail polish remover on a cotton swab, remove the nail polish, and try again.

Step 3. Create a paper template for your disc

Trace the outline of a disc on thick paper. Cut and mark the position of the hole.

• This template allows you to specify the position of each hole in the lucite disc that must be drilled.

  

• Fold the paper template in half so you can find an accurate center position.

  

• Use a marker to draw a hole measuring 2.5 cm from the edge and along the center line. Draw a smaller hole about 0.635 cm from the opposite end along the center line.

  

Step 4. Make template markers to each disc

Place the template under each disc and use a marker to mark the template holes on the disc.

• The dots must be placed in the same position. Even with nail polish applied to each disc, you should be able to see the dots through the lucite.

  

Step 5. Drill holes on each disc

Any standard drill can be used.

• To drill a large hole, first, drill into the large marker with a small drill bit. Widen the hole with a medium drill bit, then expand it again with a large drill bit. Do not drill holes with a large drill bit from the start, as doing so will likely crack the Lucite.

  

• For smaller holes, drill holes using a small drill bit.

  

• Half the number of discs should have both holes drilled while the other half only need small holes to be drilled.

Step 6. Interlock the discs

Attach the two discs using one of your stainless steel wire rings.

• Connect the two discs by joining them in the small holes.

  

• You may be able to open and close the ring with your fingers, but if not, use pliers.

  

Step 7. Hang your disc on the chandelier frame

Attach each double layer of discs to the chandelier frame by hanging it on the frame hooks.

• Each hook will have a series of discs hanging there.

  

• Hang the disc with the large hole.
• It helps if you already have the chandelier in place before you attach the disc.

• With this, the chandelier is finished.