Funky Chandeliers

Funky Chandeliers

I repurposed two chandeliers for my granddaughters, Skylar and Jadyn. Both chandeliers were the perfect size to make pendent lamps.

Skylar had a list of request for her vintage style bedroom including a chippy wrought iron headboard. I'm not complaining, I've had a lot of fun upcycling and repurposing to complete her list.

Jadyn has a beach theme bedroom. She recently became interested in learning how to surfboard.

One of her request was a bunch of "beach" words written on something to decorate her bedroom. I repurposed an old wood jewelry box and decorated it with words like "cowabunga" and "narly".

I found one chandelier at Restores and the other at a salvage yard. Oddly enough they were both $7 each.

With a little TLC I made a couple funky chandeliers. One a sweet little vintage pendent lamp and the other, a narly looking beach pendent lamp.

I wanted both chandeliers to have a unique finish, instead of spray painting I used a technique to make one look like tarnished silver and the other paper mache.

We have a box of mardi gras beads that came in handy for both chandeliers. Sun catchers and sea glass were added to complete my creations. The silver swag lamp kits I found at the hardware store were the perfect final touch for both chandeliers.

The repurposed chandeliers were well worth the effort. I completed both for under $25 each and they are unique one of a kind creations.

Materials Used to make a Tarnished Silver Chandelier;

• Chandelier
• Aluminum foil
• Acrylic Burnt Umber Paint
• Mod Podge
• Rough Grit Sandpaper
• Black Mardi Gras Beads
• Clear Sun Catchers
• 24 Gage Wire
• Clear Thread
• Swag Lamp Kit

How To Make a Tarnished Silver Chandelier;

I took the chandelier apart and eliminated pieces I didn't want. Sanded surface with rough grit sand paper. Ripped aluminum foil into pieces and applied it to the chandelier with mod podge. Distressed the aluminum foil by painting with burnt umber to make the chandelier look tarnished.

Next, applied two coats of mod podge to protect the finish. Put the chandelier back together; decorated with mardi gras beads and sun catchers using clear thread and 24 gauge wire to connect to chandelier. Follow manufacturer's directions for connecting the swag lamp kit.

Materials Used to Make a Paper Mache Chandelier

• Chandelier
• White Tissue Paper
• Acrylic Yellow Ochre Paint
• Acrylic White Paint
• Blue Glass Paint
• White Spray Paint
• Mod Podge
• Rough Grit Sandpaper
• White Mardi Gras Beads
• Sea Glass
• Small Silver Jewelry Rings
• Clear Thread
• Drill with a 1/8" Diamond Drill Bit
• Swag Lamp Kit

How to Make a Paper Mache Chandelier

I took the chandelier apart and eliminated pieces I didn't want. Sanded surface with rough grit sand paper. Spray painted the chandelier white. Painted the clear glass piece blue. Let paint dry, rip white tissue paper into pieces and apply to the chandelier and all the small parts with mod podge.

I wanted the chandelier to remind Jadyn of the beach so I painted it blue and yellow and used sea glass as sun catchers from our collection we found on the beach.

After the tissue paper dried, I washed over the chandelier with white a yellow ochre paint. Next, I applied two coats of mod podge to protect the paper mache finish.

To drill holes in the sea glass for hanging, place water in a plastic container with a block of wood to sit the glass on top. Use a diamond drill bit to make holes in the glass. Keep glass submerged under water while drilling.

Put the chandelier back together; decorated with mardi gras beads and sea glass using clear thread and silver jewelry rings for connecting to the chandelier.

Follow manufacturer's directions for connecting the swag lamp kit.

Skylar and Jadyn loved their repurposed chandeliers and their mom did too. With a little creating I saved her about $170.00.

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