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Sunday, February 19, 2012

Come on baby light my fire.


When our daughter Julie showed me an outdoor chandelier she wanted to buy for 40 some dollars, it finally lit a fire under me to start the chandelier project that's been on the back burner for well over a year.


I already had plenty of glass insulators.

They were practically giving them away for 50 cents apiece at an estate sale.


I sent my hunter and gatherer out to the garage attic for a roll of old garden fencing.


It's not vintage, but nicely weathered.  We used it along a lilac hedge to keep our little Fergie from sneaking out of the yard and it's still sold by the roll at most home centers.  The insulators and the fencing are the main components of the chandelier and the rest of the items are things you probably have on hand.  I was determined to complete this project without spending a dime!

A few pieces of chain, some 20 gauge wire, an outdoor faucet handle, a screw eye and nut, a large S hook, some bending and twisting and voila!

An outdoor chandelier ready for an alfresco dinner.  Well, maybe after the snow melts.


I wired the insulators onto the fencing.


I turned the fencing upside down and curled the straight ends with needle nose pliers.  I cut 3 lengths of chain and threaded them, evenly spaced onto the curled sections of fencing.


The other end of the chain is attached to a faucet handle.  A screw eye is inserted into the center of the handle and secured with a nut. 


I used a hook for a pot rack and a short piece of chain to hang the chandelier from a tree branch.



To avoid any unpleasant surprises, I gave it a trial run.  Megan and I bought well over a hundred vintage blue jars in 3 different sizes for her wedding.  The plan was to have lit candles in all of them on the tables at the reception.  There was just one problem.  When the candles were lit, the jars overheated and cracked.  We went with Plan B which was fresh sunflowers in the jars instead of candles.  And yes, Megan, I have enough supplies to make you a chandelier, too.  :@

We ( I sent my assistant ahead of me with a lighter ) had to wait until nightfall to try it out.

Success!  Although, it was only 30 degrees outside, so the insulators were unlikely to overheat.



This chandy needs a sturdy branch.  It weighs 6.8 pounds.  Without candles.


 Time to call it a night.  I'm missing Downton Abbey!!!

Linked to:
Knick of Time Tuesday
Savvy Southern Style Wow Us Wednesdays
The Farmhouse Porch Cowgirl Up
Common Ground Vintage Inspiration Friday

60 comments:

  1. You did good..... really really good!!!

    ~Bliss~

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  2. I love it! Absolutely one of the coolest things I've seen in a Long,long time!

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  3. wowza!!! i LOVE it! funny, i am just about to add insulators to one of my indoor chandy's. would you mind if i "pin" yours to my pinterest board? good job!
    erin
    xxoo

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  4. Vickie that is darling! I love it.

    xo,
    Danielle

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  5. very informative blog i really like your article thanks for sharing it.....


    toronto limousine services

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  6. OH MY GOSH!!!!! I LOVE IT, MOM!!!! Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!!! I can't wait to hang it outside. (Thanks for convincing me not to buy that one in Buffalo. This one is much cooler, since it is was "made by mom with love." I almost cried it is so pretty. {I must be PMS-ing.} Talk later!!!!

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  7. Hi Vickie,
    What an a amazing job you did on this! I love how it looks at night. Now I want to make one...how long did it take you to bend all that wire?
    Love it!
    Cheryl

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  8. Thanks Vickie, that is really cool!! Not to mention you saved us $40! Thanks again!! Maybe you can teach Mack how to be a do it yourselfer? Manly things those please ")

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  9. Vickie this is gorgeous! Love the insulators and what a great way to use them. You did a wonderful job! hugs, Linda

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  10. That looks amazing.Love that.Wish I had tree to hang one from.No tree in our backyard yet.That is how it is in a newer constructed home :-(

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  11. Oh Wow! I love it! ... and I have a feeling my daughter will want one too.
    Blessings!
    Geneva

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  12. so cool!!! it's just wonderful all lit up at night. I'm a serious garden junk lover, you really put together a fun and creative chandy!!

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  13. Yes...how did you know I would be BEGGING for one!?! That is so nice! Hmm...where to hang it? Obviously on our porch...a little dining area? I can't wait until summer (I've been having spring fever all day). THANK YOU in advance...so lovely!

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  14. Wow, you are amazing. That is the most awesome outdoor chandelier!! You need to market those.
    Thanks for stopping by.
    Mary Alice

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  15. Vickie,
    aren't you the clever girl! That is so cool, and looks fabulous! What a great job you did!
    Rebecca

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  16. OMG.......... Post this everywhere!!! Everyone needs to see it. I'm pinning it for sure.

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  17. I'm glad I found your blog. I'm a new follower with GFC and LF. I would love if you stopped by and followed back so we can stay connected. Lori
    http://www.bleak2unique.com

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  18. Oh, how cute! You'll have to show us how you put it to use this summer :)

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  19. Oh I love it, LOVE IT!!! just found your blog, and wow, you have some truly great ideas here. That chandelier project is so cool, and I can't believe how creative you are. Looks beautiful in the winter scene! I am a new follower and am hosting a delightful little vintage Spring Swap. come say hi and check it out!

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  20. Such a great chandelier! Very cute and very creative!

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  21. Really cool and so appropriate for the garden. Beautiful!

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  22. This is so pretty, Vickie! I especially love the aqua colored insulators you used! Your photos are really beautiful!

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  23. I am always inspired and amazed at your talent with every visit. Thank you ever so much for another great project shared. Cheers SpecialK XoXo

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  24. WOW your chandalier is amazing. very creative and cute!

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  25. I LOVE this!!! Wow - it looks amazing and without spending!! Thanks for sharing - I'm pinning this!

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  26. beautiful! I love it. Love the colors of the votive holders too!

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  27. Clever! Gorgeous! SO smart to show it off all lit up!

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  28. Now that is a beautiful craft! Love your new chandy. Thanks for linking up to "Cowgirl Up!"
    :) Samantha @ Crafty Texas Girls

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  29. Oh my goodness--your creativity is amazing! I love it!

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  30. I love it!! I shared it on Cedar Hill Ranch's Facebook page. https://www.facebook.com/pages/Cedar-Hill-Ranch/194162480629331

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  31. So cute!! I'm pinning it right now! :D
    Thank you so much for linking up to the "Cowgirl Up!" linky party! Be sure to join us again this Tuesday♥
    Linsey

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  32. Beautiful-I'm so happy to find your blog-I'm your newest follower-stop by for a visit!

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  33. You've been featured on my blog! Stop by and check it out, don't forget to grab a featured button!
    ♥Linsey

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  34. oh!!!! that is soooooo beautiful!!! I need one!!!!

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  35. Fabulous! Wire and glass are two of my favourite things.
    Penny, new follower x

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  36. This is a great project! I love it~going to pin it, and start following your blog ASAP!!

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  37. Hi Vickie,
    Sorry I missed this post but I'm glad I saw it featured on SSS. This is an awesome project....beautifully done!
    Jane

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  38. that is precious! it looks amazing with the candles lit. i can imagine how beautiful they will be hung up during your daughters wedding

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  39. I love the look and color of the whole piece and that you put it together so easily. New to your blog. Did not realize I had my volume on and your playlist started playing music suddenly - checked it out - my kind of music! A new follower - looks like there is a lot to learn here. Thanks for sharing!

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  40. Beautiful love it thank you for tutorial I pinned it

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  41. Absolutely stunning. When I saw the link, I couldn't get over it. Maybe i'll try them with glass votives. Beautiful vickie.

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  42. Beautiful! Just love this -- I love the look; hoping I can find some insulators or blue jars to try and replicate it. Visiting from Common Ground!
    Mary @ Very Merry Vintage Style

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  43. Looks So cute over the birdbath!

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  44. Just wanted to let you know I featured you on my blog today!

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  45. Ya, sure, you betcha! lol My Mom still talks Minnesotan even though she's lived in SoCal for 60 years.
    My backyard birdbath is jealous of the chandy above yours. Seriously, thanks for the inspiration.
    first time here. What fun! thanks. blessings, k

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  46. Love the Chandelier, I just "inherited
    " a box of insulators.. I have a project now! I also Love Downton Abbey!!

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  47. This is fabulous! I just happen to have all the things to make one too! Exciting! So glad I've found your wonderful blog and am following along. If you get a chance, stop by the Little Shack for a visit! Take care!

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  48. Great candle holder. I have some of that same fencing that I have been holding on to for some reason, maybe I found my reason.

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  49. This is just beautiful! you could not buy one that would look as charming! I Pinned it!

    I would love if you would post it and share it with my readers! Join the Community and share any of your creative project!

    Susan @ Oh My! Creative

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  50. So creative and I like that you used items already on hand to make it so original and not like something we have already seen. Hat's off to you!

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  51. I love this too. I have several that I just wired and hung as single votive holders. I have burned them a lot with no problems. I am going to make one of these. I also saw one that had an old jar holder in the middle so you could put fresh flowers in the middle and have the candles. Just lovely. Leslie

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  54. love it. thanks for how to.

    blessings
    barb

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  55. The insulators probably cracked because of the COLD temperature - probably wouldn't happen in the summer! Tealights would work better than candles, though - no melting wax to dig out.

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