RM100: Recycled Lightbulb Chandelier
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“I made this from recycled bulbs that I collected in our studio over a few months. It’s now the centerpiece here at Workshop, and it cost less than $100 to make.” —Kelly Malone
Posted by ReadyMade
Patricia Heal, Styling by Rational Beauty
Make your own light...from lights.
Kelly Malone
San Francisco, California
workshopsf.org
Malone is the mastermind behind Workshop, a space that offers a host of DIY classes—silk screening, sewing, building—and a well-stocked library of how-to books available for the public to borrow.
Judge’s #1 Pick: “Similar designs have been floating around for a while, but I love the recycled aspect of this chandelier. Truly taking waste that has been accumulating and not only putting it to use, but also creating something aesthetically striking is always impressive.” —Andrew Wagner
For Malone's original entry, click here.
To see the rest of the 2011 ReadyMade 100, click here.
Skill Level
Easy
Active Time
Half a day
Cost
$
- Salvaged baby crib cot or bike wheel (without tire)
- Burned-out bulbs
- Twine or rope
- Superglue
- Stainless steel chain
- 4 S-hooks (sturdy, for hanging chandelier from ceiling)
- Lots of movies (to watch while you tie all the bulbs on)
- Light kit, optional
Materials
- Scissors
Tools
Gather your materials, making sure that the cot or wheel has a wire cross grid to tie bulbs to.
Tie different lengths of twine or sturdy rope to bulbs tightly around the circular part of the base of the bulb. Add a small ring of superglue around the rope and the metal base for some extra security.
Prop the corners of your cot or wheel on chairs or sawhorses so that the wire cross grid is elevated, open, and accessible.
Tie bulbs to cot or wheel at different lengths using double knots and spacing them as desired. Ensure all knots are strong, and then trim the extra strings. Add equal lengths of chain to each corner of cot or wheel.
Attach sturdy S-hooks to the ceiling, then loop the chains over hooks to hang chandelier.
If you want some functioning light, you can add a basic simple white light kit (like a $5 one from IKEA). Hang the light from the chandelier and discreetly run the cord to power.
