How to Make a Chandelier With Pantyhose

Use white or sheer pantyhose for your craft.

Making your own chandelier out of pantyhose is a creative way to express your visual art skills. The trick to using pantyhose in your design is to apply the nylon fabric in a way that reflects natural light. You can create large or small chandelier balls to hang from trees or posts during an outside wedding reception, for example. Once completed, the chandelier will both reflect light and allow Sun rays to pass through, resulting in an aesthetically pleasing craft.

Things You'll Need

• 15 to 20 - 1/2-inch by 18-inch pantyhose nylon stripsalloon
• Petroleum jelly
• 1/2 cup corn starch
• 1/4 cup warm water
• Bowl
• Spoon
• Needle
• Clear spray paint
• Fishing line (various lengths)

Instructions

1. Cut between 15 to 20 strips of pantyhose nylon strips.

2. Inflate a standard balloon. Coat the balloon with a thin layer of petroleum jelly to prevent the nylon from adhering to the balloon once your papier mache glue is created.

3. Add 1/2 cup corn starch and 1/4 cup warm water to bowl to create papier mache glue. Stir the mixture for 30 to 45 seconds.

4. Soak one nylon strip into the glue. Wrap the strip around the body of the balloon. Repeat this process until all strips are wrapped around the balloon in a cross-like pattern. The ball should now resemble a cobweb. Leave at least several crevices large enough to remove the popped balloon in Step 5 . Allow one full day for the craft to dry.

5. Pop the balloon with a needle. Carefully pull the balloon out from the chandelier ball. Spray the entire chandelier ball with clear spray paint to add extra strength and hold. Repeat Steps 1 to 5 for additional chandelier balls.

6. Hang each ball from a tree branch or post with fishing line. Clump a series of balls together, side-by-side, to generate a full, chandelier effect.

References

• "State Press" Magazine; Piece of Craft: Hanging String Chandeliers; Faith Breisblatt; April 5, 2011