How to Create a Rainbow of Color in Your Garden With Crystal Prisms

Crystal prism dangling in the garden

Crystal prisms create a rainbow of color in your garden, whether they are hanging from wind chimes, dangling from a chandelier or hanging from a tree limb. When the sun hits the crystals, the rainbows dance across the landscape. Look for crystal prisms and strands of crystals in local and online craft stores, wedding supply retailers and chandelier parts suppliers. Use your imagination and hang crystal prisms wherever they can catch a ray of sun in your garden.

Things You'll Need

• Crystal prisms
• Fishing line
• Measuring tape
• Scissors
• Jeweler's glue
• Light fixture with arms
• Wire cutters
• Exterior spray paint
• Craft wire
• Crystal strands

Instructions

Dangling Crystal Prisms

1. Select at least three crystal prisms to hang from a tree in your garden. Crystal prisms are available in a variety of shapes and colors. Select crystal prisms with many faceted cuts to help throw rainbows of color around the garden.

2. Cut a strand of fishing line twice as long as the desired length of the hanging crystal prism, plus 2 inches.

3. Thread the line halfway through the crystal prism. Hold the ends of the line so that they are even.

4. Tie the ends of the line around a tree branch in the garden using a triple overhand knot. Make sure that the tree branch enjoys sunshine during some part of the day. Cover the knot with jeweler's glue.

5. Repeat steps 1 through 4 to hang crystal prisms at varying lengths along a single tree branch or on several branches of the same tree.

Crystal Prism Chandelier

1. Remove the bulbs and the wiring from any light fixture that has arms extending out from the center.

2. Paint the fixture to coordinate with the design of your garden. Exterior spray paint works well on metal and wood fixtures. Let the paint dry. Apply a second coat if necessary.

3. Cut 3-inch strips of craft wire for each arm on the fixture. Drape a crystal strand between each arm. Attach the ends of the strands to the arm by wrapping the strips of wire around them. Crystal strands are often sold in 3-foot lengths, but you can separate or lengthen the strands as needed.

4. Cut lengths of fishing line that is double the desired hanging length of the crystal prisms, plus 2 inches. Thread the line halfway through the crystal prisms. Hang crystal prisms along the individual arms on the light fixture. Cover the knots with jeweler's glue.

5. Hang the chandelier in your garden from a tree, over a table or in the center of an arbor. Look for a sunny location to create the most rainbows. Insert candles in place of the lightbulbs for ambient lighting at night.

Resources

• Krylon: Spray Painting Tips