How to Make a Metal Chandelier
A dining area without a chandelier looks bare and unfinished, but you may not have the funds to buy a new one or even know how to configure the appropriate electrical work for a chandelier. Metal chandeliers which use candles instead of electricity create a romantic mood without requiring cutting any holes into the ceiling or splicing any wires, making them a good option for renters and budget-conscious decorators. Build your own chandelier from everyday objects and hang it over your dining room table or anywhere else you think could use some romance and glamour, such as your back patio, kitchen or entryway. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Small metal wire basket Larger metal wire basket Wire cutters Spray paint (optional) Clear acrylic coat (optional) 24-gauge bendable wire, half-hard 20-gauge bendable wire, dead soft S-hooks Needle nose pliers Small, lipped glass jars Medium glass jars Candles Decorative clear bead strings Chandelier crystals Chain Anchoring hook
Instructions
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Cut off the handle of the larger wire basket with the wire cutters, if the basket has a handle; if not, skip this step.
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Spray paint the basket if you want to change its color. Allow the paint to dry completely, and then seal your work with the spray-on acrylic coat.
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Cut three 1-foot lengths of 20-gauge dead soft bendable wire.
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Pinpoint three equidistant points around the bottom of the smaller wire basket. Attach your cut 20-gauge wires to these three points, twisting the ends of the bendable wire several times around the basket wire to secure the connection.
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5
Pinpoint three equidistant points around the top of the larger wire basket. Connect the smaller basket to these points on the larger basket with the wires emerging from the bottom of the smaller basket, using the same technique you used to attach the wires; your chandelier frame is complete and ready for you to attach hanging jars from the bottom of the larger basket.
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Cut twice as many sets of two 10-inch lengths of 24-gauge wire as you have candle jars you plan to hang. Remember that some candles will sit inside the basket instead of hanging from it.
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Twist each set of two 10-inch wires together, creating a 10-inch long length of twisted wire. Wrap half of these underneath the lip of each small, lipped jar you plan to hang, twisting the ends together to securely surround the jars’ tops.
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Create curved, hooked hanging handles from the other half of the twisted wires; make your hooks at least 2 inches long so you can securely attach the hooks to the wire wrapped around the jars' tops.
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Manipulate the hooked ends until they catch the wire wrapped around the jar tops, and twist any extra length of open wire at the end of the hooks around the hanging wire, creating a secure connection; each of your hanging jars are ready to attach to the bottom of the chandelier frame.
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Based on how many jars you want to hang, find as many equidistant points around the bottom of the outermost section of the larger basket. Attach S-hooks to these points, opening and closing the hooks with the needle nose pliers. Slip the handles of the small, lipped jars over the bottoms of the S-hooks to hang the jars.
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Attach your decorations thoughtfully, taking care to properly space your crystals and carefully drape your clear beads through the wire openings. Use your pliers when necessary.
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Place the larger jars inside the basket tiers. Drop candles inside all the jars. Loop a chain through the top basket’s handle and attach the ends of the chain to the ceiling with the appropriate anchoring hook. Light your candles and enjoy your DIY metal chandelier.
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Tips & Warnings
Hang your chandelier so that the lowest part is about 30 inches from the table’s surface; this placement creates the right amount of drama while still leaving room for a sizable centerpiece. Find an assortment of cheap wire baskets with flat bottoms at thrift stores, flea markets or discount home stores. Otherwise, instead of using two wire baskets, consider instead using the cone-shaped, heavy-duty wire tomato cages as a frame; they are inexpensive and available in garden stores. Skip the steps where you connect the two baskets and place candles inside the baskets and proceed to hanging the jars and decorations. Choose candles small enough to fit inside your jars.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit citrus fruit in wire basket image by Cindy Haggerty from Fotolia.com
