We all have those blasted boob lights. I have 4 that I wanted to replace, but with my low ceilings, I needed something close to the ceiling. As I was shopping the Pottery Barn website, I came across the Mia Faceted-Crystal Flushmount Light. It was lovely, but for $129 a piece, I'd be shelling out way more than I could stomach for 4 of them, even if I waited for a sale.
Materials used:
Boob light
Can of oil rubbed bronze spray paint
Nail and Hammer or Dremmel tool with metal drill bit
String of acrylic crystals (affiliate link)
Measuring tape
Optional: yarn or string to help measure circumference
Optional: Sharpie
There's a small piece that screws on the bottom and holds up a metal circle that the dome rests on. Once I removed the glass dome (setting aside for a bird bath), I was able to remove the light from the ceiling and start putting holes in the outer edge to hold the end of each crystal strand.
One of my lights had some glue that needed to be goo goned. Then I taped the inside of the light socket so I could spray paint the bolt and socket oil rubbed bronze to match the rest of the fixture.
Looks good, but I should have waited to paint it after I drilled the holes. I wound up getting metal dust stuck in the freshly dried area and had to repaint to cover some scratches made.
I wanted to make 2 rows of 24 holes. (The holes would be across from each other to loop the wire strands through. I used a piece of string to measure the circumference and divided it by 24. I decided to round up and space the holes 1.25" apart, which made only 20 holes, but I figured it would be sufficient.
I made a piece of yarn 1.25" and used a Sharpie to mark where my outer holes would be.
I used a Dremel tool to make most of the holes, but near the end of the project, my bit was getting really dull and I ended up using a nail and hammer.
It worked a little easier and the holes were less messy.
For my second light I used solely a nail to make all the holes and it went super fast.
Next I needed to put holes in the metal circle.
I traced it on some paper to help figure out spacing and then imitated it with a Sharpie on the metal. I started with evenly putting dots for a pentagon (black dots). Then put a dot in the middle of each of those sections (red dots). And then put another dot in the middle of those sections (blue dots).
I separated my crystal strand into strings with 6 crystals.
I attached all the crystals to the small circle first.
Then I slipped it on the metal rod and started attaching around the outside.
When I was done, I screwed on the end piece, flipped it over and had a pretty looking light!
This one has crystals of varying size
Linking up to:
this is a great diy!
ReplyDeleteAwesome!
ReplyDeleteLove the Mia lights! You did an incredible job copying them.
ReplyDeleteBoob light! LOL! Yes, I'm 12.
ReplyDeleteFantastic idea! I would love it if you joined and contribute your awesome posts at my link party at City of Creative Dreams, starts on Fridays :D Hope to see you there at City of Creative Dreams Link Party.
ReplyDeleteThis looks great! But how do you change the light bulb?
ReplyDeleteThe light bulb easily fits in between the crystal strands. (The strands aren't stiff and move if you touch them).
DeleteSo do you use a clear bulb now?
ReplyDeleteYes, I put clear bulbs in. They look so much better!
DeleteClever idea... I have one of these lights... the before version! ha ha... I should make one of these, so cute!
ReplyDeletewhere did you get your crystals?
ReplyDeleteI got them off Amazon! http://www.amazon.com/Faux-Crystal-Garland-CrystalPlace-30/dp/B0049X83LW/ref=sr_1_8?ie=UTF8&qid=1421695795&sr=8-8&keywords=crystal+string&pebp=1421695819839&peasin=B0049X83LW
DeleteHi Emily! I work with Cassity over at Remodelaholic, and we LOVE this! We'd love to feature you -- email me at hello@remodelaholic.com and we can discuss the details!
ReplyDeleteThanks!
Lorene
Hi - this project I awesome and is something I'd lie to do. I see the holes you made for the crystal strands, but what I'd like to know is HOW you attached the strands to the holes???
ReplyDeleteThe strands of crystals have metal links that are kind of like key rings. I just looped one of the metal loops through the hole.
DeleteAwesome fixture! How did you make your holes in the small metal circle that sits at the bottom? Did you use a nail & hammer? If so, would you recommend this or another way?
ReplyDeleteThank you!!
Yes, I used a nail and hammer on hard surface (I did it on concrete). It worked really well.
Delete