Dreams come true when you DIY. One of my very first pins on my Pinterest account was this light fixture. I fell in love and wanted it for our dining room.
I started tracing back the sources until I found where it was from and how much it was. The company that makes it is Design Within Reach and it is sold for $2,140.00!! Yowzas. I sat on the idea for a week and studied the picture. Chris and I decided that we could definitely try making it ourselves and save a few thou. I don't mean to ruin the ending--but we succeeded. :) Here's how we did it.
Our glue-y substance that held this whole thing together was a mix of Mod Podge, water, and a few tablespoons of corn starch. Mix it until it is a smooth, thin, milk texture. We also used 2 spools of crochet thread (2000 yds of it total). This thin thread was key in making an identical light to Design Within Reach's. Next, you will need some petroleum jelly and lastly, a big ball. We got this 48 incher at Big 5 Sporting Goods for $4.99. I've seen the same one at Kmart and Target, or you can use whichever size suits you and your space. Oh, and you are DEFINITELY gonna want a tarp. The whole thing gets pretty messy, but it's worth it.
Once you have your ball suspended over a tarp, rub it down with that jelly. This is imperative to make sure when you are all finished, the ball will still come loose. Also, trace a circle with a good sized bowl on the ball to allow easy light-bulb-changing access down the road.
Get wrapping. This is absolutely a two person job activity and we would switch off while watching episodes of Seinfeld and Dancing with the Stars (there's a first time for everything I guess). One person would feed the string into the glue mixture and the other person would wrap the string. Repeat. Over and over.
We put about 2 1/2 hours into it the first night and used one spool (1000 yds) of the thread. We thought it looked good and we were done, but in the morning we weren't convinced the string was as dense as our "dream fixture."
So, the next night, we put another hour into it (we were definitely more efficient now that we had a rhythm down) and finished off nearly ALL of the second spool and we were feeling good about the string coverage.
Our plan was to just deflate the ball the next day after things were nice and hard, but it was taking too long, so we just sliced a hole in it after remembering it only cost us $5 and it now had petroleum jelly all over it. We were THRILLED to see how easily the ball separated from the string. That was the moment we realized it was woorrrrkkiiinnnggg.
Our next task was hanging our new fixture. With our vaulted ceilings and an off-centered existing fixture--we knew that there was more work ahead of us.
 |
| Is there a more terrible sight? A bad, plastic chandelier, made worse by being off-center. |
We purchased the Hemma cord set from IKEA for $3.99 and Chris cut, stripped and separated it to make it a ceiling mount cord, instead of a plug cord. We also found a big round light bulb that resembled the one in our inspiration picture for $4.99 and snagged that, too.
The two items picture below we found at Home Depot (a rubber stopper and 3-hole cover kit) we used inside the fixture at the very top to keep the bulb in the center of our sphere.
Chris drilled a hole in the rubber stopper and wedged it in the center hole (we plugged the other two holes) and fed the wire through the stopper.
We fixed the slightly off-centered placement of the light by fastening the wire to the center and then covering everything up with a 16" ceiling mount.
Now, for an overflow of pictures of our new light:
We have plans to switch out our white blinds for bamboo ones for warmth and to give the light a contrasting backdrop. But for now, we can't stop looking at it. It is so rewarding to make something and love it. We love it even more knowing that we spent less than $30 and saved over $2100 AND got rid of our ugly chandy. So, yeah. We're all smiles over here.
Update: To reinforce the round shape of the light (it's a lot of stress for just string), we added some thin acetate we found at Hobby Lobby for $5. We cut it into a circle and cut a straight line into the center. Drilled a small hole in the center and fit it in the top of the light. You can't see it at all, but it is doing its job, FOR SURE.
What do you think?
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Did you all have any excess glue on the yarn once the fixture was removed from the ball? If so, how did you remove the glue? I created this light fixture but I am having a time removing the excess glue. Please advise.
Just saw this and I love the idea! I will try this with colored string.
Very cool!
: )
Julie M.
Your globe tutorial was a big help as we tackled our own: http://keepsonringing.wordpress.com/2012/06/06/diy-string-globe-chandelier-tutorial/
Thanks!
Wow, amazing!
Love it!
That. Is. Awesome.
Ok, so how did you get the acetate in it after you were done with it? Just fold it through the bulb access?
Love it. I made some christmas baubles a couple of years ago, using this exact same method, I used balloons to adhere the string to, and made different sizes. They look like snowballs and look really modern and contemporary on a christmas tree with coloured lights.
That. Is. Awesome.
Robyn--
Exactly right!
Ok, so how did you get the acetate in it after you were done with it? Just fold it through the bulb access?
Just discovered your blog and this is AMAZING! My husband and I just bought a house that we've been fixing up and I've been looking everywhere for a new light for our entry way! Might have to give this a try!
Anonymous-
We sliced the ball from the hole we left on the top on the side to change the light bulb. Then once the air was all out, we pulled it through. It was easy!
Sophie-
The bulb that we bought (http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/70040371) is a very low burning, energy efficient bulb so it doesn't get very hot. And it is in the very center of the 48" globe so there is PLENTY of room on either side. We have had it for a couple weeks now and there is no sign of anything heating up. Because there is so much airflow throughout the whole thing, I don't think it would ever be a problem.
Hope this helps!
Jules
Hi,
Looks amazing - well done!
I would love to try this but am worried about it getting too hot and catching fire or melting or something.
How often do you have your light on and how long have you had it for now?
Thanks!
that. is. gorgeous!
I might be a little dense, but can't figure out exactly how the ball came out of the light fixture. Did you pop it or let the air out? Or did you just wiggle it out through the light bulb opening at the top?
Thanks a lot for your beautiful sharing... This is a different technic, using a ball instead of baloon :) I'll share this technic at my blog with your link.....
this is amazing!! i so want to do it now!!! what a great team project for husband and wife...now to convince my own husband that our new house needs one of these!!
http://christinaprindle.blogspot.com/
Katherine-
Not dumb at all, I should have been more specific in the placement. It is near the top on the back side. You can faintly see it in the pictures through the light. It looks like a tear drop shape.
Hope it helps!
-Julia
This might be a dumb question...but where did you put the hole for lightbulb changing? I don't see it in the final pictures, which is a good thing, but if I attempt to make this I figure I should know!
Beautiful! Really well done, I'm off to have a go at this light fitting.
Cassie-
I don't see why it wouldn't work with twine. I would recommend less water in the glue mixture if you do attempt it with twine because thicker string will need more substantial glue--maybe even try tacky glue with a little water. Love to see it if you try it out!
--Julia
serious genius!
Lovely! I'm wondering if it would work with a thicker material like twine for an earthy look.. whattya think?
OK, that is jaw-droppingly awesome. You are amazing!!
It looks so beautiful all lit up! I saw a similar project once upon a time on Crafty Nest, and wanted to try it out, but I think yours is even better. I love the SIZE. I need one!
That is fantastic! You did a fantastic job. I too love the Moooi light, but not the price. The string/glue combo just wasn't in my timeline or patience, so I made a wood veneer version: http://ourhumbleabowed.wordpress.com/2011/03/24/chunky-wood-moooi-random/ Not quite the same, but far quicker and less messy. Love yours, though!!!
Julie. You are part inventor part creator part sister. Well, all sister. My favorite is with the light on. It's fanTAStic.
I knew it!! I love this project! It turned out amazing.
Love it!
this fills me with hope! the most amazing thing ever, great job!!
Oh my gosh. You guys are brilliant!!!!! Wow, way to work together and think things through. This is so awesome!!!
xoxo
Cat@BudgetBlonde
I'm in awe! I was actually thinking - ohhh, I don't know about that... something about it is off. But your version - ah-maze-balls! I think because your inspiration photo had so much going on, but I like your finished photo with the clean table underneath. Definitely a good job!!
Btw - I clicked over from a comment that you made on younghouselove. Do you have an RSS feed? I'm not seeing it. I don't want to forget your blog!
Wow, amazing!
That's amazing!!!! It looks awesome!!
The last 2 are the best, with the light on its just a sight to see, and the window light coming in with your dining room table there, really shows the craftmanship of the fixture. Well done Jules!
Ok, this DIY was seriously amazing. Thanks for this!!
i love. also i don't know if you knew this but you won one of the prizes on my giveaway last week. if you don't want it i totally get it, i just wanted to give you a heads up.
WHATEVER, you are one amazing girl, I love it!!!
Wow! You two impress me more and more. :) Nicely done.
julia, i'm checking out your blog for the first time {thanks to meagan winning your giveaway!} and i am obsessed!!! you are one talented lady! that chandelier is amazing.
i have some decorating questions for my living room...if you feel like taking a look at some pics and offering advice, i am all ears :)
...
you guys can't be stopped!
That thing is GORGEOUS.
I think I need to start my own pininterest. It seems like it is the THANG to do. It is GORGEOUS!. I'm gonna go stare at it again ;-)