Directions for Making Deer Chandeliers

There are many different types of deer.

Deer chandeliers are a lighting decoration that can be used in homes, restaurants and businesses. You can make them by showcasing antlers that you have collected or by purchasing deer antlers on your own. This activity requires knowledge of power tools and basic electrical wiring.

Things You'll Need

• 9 clean deer antlers
• Wire
• Drill and 1/4 inch drill bits
• Screws
• Brown stain
• String
• Gloves
• Paint brushes or various sizes
• Modeling clay
• Hanging chain
• Clear acrylic paint
• Face mask
• Light bulbs

Instructions

1. Choose the clean deer antlers you want to build your chandelier with. The antlers should all be roughly the same size and should be in good condition with no broken tips or sawed-off ends. Six of the antlers need to be the same side (either left or right) and the other three need to be all the same side.

2. Paint the brown stain on the antlers while wearing a face mask and rubber gloves. Use the bigger paint brushes for the large parts of the antlers and small brushes for the creases of the antlers. Paint all of the antlers with the same number of coats until you get the desired color. Allow the antlers to air dry.

3. Work with the antlers until you find a shape that you like. There should be six antlers on the bottom with the ends together and pointing up, and three antlers on the top with the ends over the bottom antler's ends making a circle formation. Use wire to temporarily hold the antlers together while you adjust the chandelier to your liking.

4. Drill a 1/8th inch holes though the antlers. Use a 1/4th inch drill at the beginning of each hole to hide the top of the screw. Screw in long screws into each hole. Do the same thing at needed points at the base of the chandelier and any other parts that need support to hold the chandelier (antlers) together.

5. Decide where you want to put each light bulb and mark with a pencil. Drill in and out of each antler starting at the top of the chandelier to the base of each light bulb placement. Make sure to avoid the screws that you previously put in to hold the chandelier together.

6. Feed a wire through each antler and through the drilled holes and pull the wire up 2 inches through each light bulb hole to work with. Attach and secure a lighting fixture to each wire. Add a candle cup on the outside of each lighting fixture for a different look if desired.

7. Use modeling clay to fill in the screw and wire holes. Allow the clay to dry and use the same color stain on the clay to blend with the chandelier.

8. Tie a string on the top center of the chandelier and lift to find a balancing point. Adjust if needed. Make a pencil mark where the string is. Attach an eye hook and a hanging chain to the top of the chandelier at its balancing point.

9. Spray the entire chandelier with clear acrylic paint. Allow to dry and then add the light bulbs.

Tips & Warnings

• You may add extra antlers if desired to get a different look.

• Make sure you have previous knowledge of the tools you are working with. Working with these power tools and electrical wiring can be dangerous.

• Always wear your safety mask while drilling or working with the stain.

References

• Deer Hunting Success: Building an Antler Chandelier

Resources

• Antler Attic: Antler Art
• Antler Lighting Kits