May 3, 2011

From the Laundry Room to the Ball Room

Saw this beauty a while back while wandering through blogland.
Source Here

I admired and was inspired! Pure genius using a simple everyday object in an unexpected way. I decided to try my own version. Starting with the clothespins, I found the most cost effective ones to be from the good ol' Dollar Tree.

I couldn't tell from the pic above how things were put together, but decided to use a method I have used to make many other home made chandeliers. If ya'll haven't discovered strapping tape yet, you should! The stuff I'm talking about is usually used to strap water heater tanks to a wall.
It's galvanized metal, bendable, super cheap and has convenient holes already in it! The holes work well when forming the base shape of a chandelier and to hang things from.
 You will also need wire (I used 20 gauge) a good pair of tin snips, a glue gun and some metal chain.
Cut a length of strapping tape. You can decide how big or how small, but you will need three of the same shape, in graduating sizes. I chose circular, but you could also do a square or rectangle.
Two of my three circles ready to be assembled!
Secure the two sides together by overlapping slightly and running some wire through the holes and around the edges. Pull the wire as tight as you can during this step. Pliers might help.
Next step is to hot glue the clothespins to the metal form. I spaced them out by placing over every other hole in the strapping tape, but you could bunch them all up together or space them further apart, whatever your heart desires! Open the clothespin, squeeze a little dab of hot glue and let it close on the metal. This step ensures the clothespins won't shift while you are assembling your chandelier.

They are looking pretty cool so far and I'm really digging the sculptural quality they have!
 Now it's time to link the tiers together! 'Dry fit' the graduating shapes to make sure they fit together well.
Using your pliers, open the link on each end of the chain. I make sure the chain is all equal length by counting links, and making sure each length is the same number of links...make sense? Then, I attach the chain by hooking the open end in one of the holes of the strapping tape. I space the chain uniformly by counting the holes between each point where the chain is attached. Then attach the other end to the next tier, and use your pliers to close each end link back up.
I found it easier to work from the biggest shape to the smallest. Because each circle is smaller than the next, the number of holes between each chain connection had to decrease. I decided to jazz mine up with some spray paint, but I really liked the industrial look of the natural wood and the metal.

If I did it again, I would probably pull the tiers closer together so there is less space between them. But overall, I am really pleased with the way it turned out and I think it would look terrific hanging in a beautiful garden or as a cheeky light fixture in a laundry room...or a ballroom! As always, thanks for visiting and also please consider following my blog. I appreciate your comments! Ya'll come back now, ya hear? ;-)

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21 comments:

Jessa Smith said...

That's such a cute idea! I love that its clothes pins! So cool!

~Jessa
www.jessajill.blogspot.com

nicolette {momnivores dilemma} said...

Inventive! I remember seeing window displays at Anthro a few years back with all of the clothespins...

Saw you at Remodelaholic...

Lanell said...

I saw this at Chic on A Shoestring and had to check it out. So clever. I love the color.

Ann-Marie ~ Brambly said...

That is genius and such an unexpected use of a utilitarian object.The use of bright yellow was brilliant.

Ann-Marie

Granny Randi said...

How cool, Laura! You are amazing.

Amanda @ Little House on the Corner said...

OH wow, this is awesome! I'm diggin' it. I want to make this and put it in my laundry room! I love that you painted it bright yellow.

Stopping over from Serenity Now. :)

Melissa said...

So cool! I really love it!

Jennifer said...

That looks great. Would look amazing in a kid/teenager bedroom. I am now a follower.

Kari said...

i am your newest follower!
I heart this chandelier! I am so bookmarking it and making one of these when I redo my laundry room!

Kari @ http://thesunsetlane.blogspot.com

Stephanie said...

Super cute, and great tutorial! And I'm a new follower :)

Michelle @ Delicate Construction said...

Cute Cute Cute!!! Love it! I am visiting from The Girl Creative and I am your newest follower!
Have a great day!
Michelle
www.delicateconstruction.blogspot.com

Abby said...

Amazing idea! Looks fantastic!

Honey I'm Home Blog said...

There you go again demonstrating what a genius you are! Another brilliant, creative project. I can't wait for you to come to my linky party. (PS - I didn't make the cakes--but aren't they cool? I snapped the photo at a local candy shop.)

Warmly, Michelle

Jen said...

Love this! I didn't know my laundry room needed a funky light fixture but I DO NOW :) Glad to have found a project to work on this weekend!

Dacia said...

What an ingenius idea! It turned out so cute in green. Love it!

Niki said...

AWESOME idea!! Love it! your newest follower.

Niki from sofreemecrafts.blogspot.com

www.apronsandapples@blogspot.com said...

SO great! I am your newest follower! Came over from the blog hop and your post was so cute it pulled me in! Kristy from www.apronsandapples.blogspot.com

Pamela Bates said...

Very cool and agree it would look way to cute in a garden! Looking at original, it appears that possibly they attached the clothespin in other orientation because you can see the sides. Not sure how they did that though! Yours looks super.

Lucia Bara said...

Hello
I came to visit your corner and I'm following you, I am passionate about recycling and Brazilian decoration alternativa.Adorei buff staple of clothing. Congratulations

a hug
hptt: cafeecetim.blogspot.com

Andrea said...

You are freaking fabulous! I've been looking for something to use as a base for a giant chandelier shade that wouldn't have to be welded. Awesome! Thanks for sharing!

Unknown said...

Just genius! I actually prefer the wood too, but the spray painted version also looks fab. It’s amazing how cheap materials like clothespin and metal strapping can become great (sometimes even better!) substitutes for expensive items. Yep, I bet it would be perfect in the garden or in the balcony. =)

Regards,
Thelma Bowman

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