Create a unique chandelier with 70’s prisms found
at Caritas and a damaged lampshade found at the
Salvation Army store.
Project Instructions
Materials needed:
Lampshade
Prisms, decorative crystals, or glass drops
Ribbon –a large spool
Hot glue or white glue
Ceiling light chain kit
Lamp socket, threaded nipple, and hanging ring
Edison bulb & cord cover
Spray paint (optional)
First Steps:
Choose a sturdy lampshade with several supports.
A vintage shade with eight supports offers more visual
appeal when finished. Remove old fabric from shade--the
original fabric tape on bottom and
top of shade may stay, since it
will be covered.
Find crystal, prisms, or
glass drops to decorate the
shade sections. Several prisms
may be joined to create the
length desired. Clean drops
thoroughly before using;
vinegar added to rinse water will
help eliminate spots. Dry drops with a lint
free cloth.
Once shade and decorative drops are
acquired and prepped, purchase ribbon that
will suit the color palette of the drops and the
room where the chandelier will hang.
Wrap Lamp Shade:
Beginning with the support sections, wrap
colored ribbon in a continuous length until
section is covered. It is best to
determine the length necessary
for a section and then cut all
eight lengths the same. Secure
start and finish of ribbon wrap
with glue—hot or white. If
using white glue, the dry time
is longer and sections will need
to be secured with clothespins while drying. Ribbon may be
secured periodically with glue
while wrapping to increase
adherence. When all support
sections are finished, wrap the
top and bottom of the
shade using the same
method.
Put it all together:
After completely
wrapping the shade
install lamp socket with
threaded nipple through the
center of the shade. (Spray
paint lamp socket prior to
installation if desired.) Attach
ceiling light chain kit according
to instructions. Test light to insure it is working properly.
When light is fully functional attach drops to shade with same
ribbon used to wrap the shade. Depending on the size of the
hole in the decorative drops it may be necessary to attach drops
to ribbon with needle and thread. Once prisms are securely
attached to ribbon, tie
ribbon/prisms with a knot and decorative
bow at the center of each lamp section. Make sure that
all prisms hang evenly in the lamp sections.
Finish up
Add cord cover to hide chain and electrical cord.
(More than one cord cover may be necessary.) Hang
from ceiling with hook and swag to wall. Plug in, turn
switch, and enjoy!
Choose a sturdy lampshade with several supports.
A vintage shade with eight supports offers more visual
appeal when finished. Remove old fabric from shade--the
original fabric tape on bottom and
top of shade may stay, since it
will be covered.
Find crystal, prisms, or
glass drops to decorate the
shade sections. Several prisms
may be joined to create the
length desired. Clean drops
thoroughly before using;
vinegar added to rinse water will
help eliminate spots. Dry drops with a lint
free cloth.
Once shade and decorative drops are
acquired and prepped, purchase ribbon that
will suit the color palette of the drops and the
room where the chandelier will hang.
Beginning with the support sections, wrap
colored ribbon in a continuous length until
section is covered. It is best to
determine the length necessary
for a section and then cut all
eight lengths the same. Secure
start and finish of ribbon wrap
with glue—hot or white. If
using white glue, the dry time
is longer and sections will need
to be secured with clothespins while drying. Ribbon may be
secured periodically with glue
while wrapping to increase
adherence. When all support
sections are finished, wrap the
top and bottom of the
shade using the same
method.
After completely
wrapping the shade
install lamp socket with
threaded nipple through the
center of the shade. (Spray
paint lamp socket prior to
installation if desired.) Attach
ceiling light chain kit according
to instructions. Test light to insure it is working properly.
When light is fully functional attach drops to shade with same
ribbon used to wrap the shade. Depending on the size of the
hole in the decorative drops it may be necessary to attach drops
to ribbon with needle and thread. Once prisms are securely
attached to ribbon, tie
ribbon/prisms with a knot and decorative
bow at the center of each lamp section. Make sure that
all prisms hang evenly in the lamp sections.
