How to Make a Gypsy Chandelier

Blue and clear crystal prisms

Gypsy chandeliers are beautifully adorned with an array of multi-colored crystal prisms. You can make your own gypsy chandelier by transforming a simple hanging light fixture with a bright and vibrant mix of pink, aqua, purple, red, green and blue crystals. You can find crystals in every shade of the rainbow at online retailers and in some craft stores. There is no set pattern for making a gypsy chandelier--the only rule to follow is to fill it with colorful crystals.

Things You'll Need

• Hanging light fixture
• Colorful crystal prisms
• Metal spray paint
• 20 gauge wire
• Wire cutters

Instructions

1. Find a hanging light fixture at a local retailer, thrift store or yard sale. Ideally, look for fixtures that have a chandelier shape, including three or more arms. The base metal color is not important, so focus on a shape that pleases you. Once you have your light fixture, you can determine how many crystal prisms and strands you need to make a gypsy chandelier.

2. Measure the distance between each of the arms on your light fixture. Crystal strands are 36 inches long, which creates a perfect drape in most instances, but you can also easily remove crystals to shorten the strands or combine strands together, if needed. Order at least two strands to drape between each of the arms to make the light fixture into a gypsy chandelier, more if you like. Also buy graduated strands to hang straight down from the top of the light fixture all around the stem. Order crystal prisms to hang along every dip and curve of your fixture as well as around the base light holders. You can also order a different colored bobeche for each light from which you can hang six crystal prisms. A bobeche is the round glass piece at the base of the stem where the light bulb is inserted. It already has tiny holes pre-cut to hold the crystal prisms or crystal strands.

3. Remove the light bulbs and spray paint the light fixture a vibrant teal, peach, pink, purple, red or any color that works with the theme of your room. You can even paint different sections of the fixture different colors. Lay out strips of wire and paint it as well--any color works with your crystals. You may not need extra wire to attach the crystals, but having a painted strip ready is a good idea. Let the paint dry. Hang your light fixture in a doorway or other workspace where you have easy access all the way around it.

4. Slide the bobeches over the light holders and replace the light bulbs. Begin hanging your crystal strands between the lighting arms and straight down the center arm of your fixture. Clip the crystal prisms around each of the bobeches and along any dip or curve of your fixture. Let your creativity guide you as you hang the colorful crystals. The painted wire can be cut into small sections and wrapped around any part of the fixture to create an additional crystal hanger. Clip any excess wire after you attach your crystals.

5. Step back and inspect your gypsy chandelier from all angles to ensure that the crystal prisms and strands are evenly weighted on every side. If there are more crystals on one side than the other, your chandelier may not hang straight.

Tips & Warnings

• You can also transform a globe style light fixture into a colorful gypsy light by simply draping crystal strands all around it. Replace the light bulbs with candles and hang the chandelier in your garden.

• Do not leave wire cutters accessible to children.

Resources

• Crystal Supplier