DIY Network

Wire Chandelier Create a custom chandelier that shines with style. From "B. Original" episode DBOR-114

Shed some light on your creativity with this fun chandelier.

Anyone who's ever bent up a paper clip has the essential skill to make this hip chandelier with Michele Beschen. The B. Original host demonstrates how to create a sophisticated chandelier using a common light kit, a pack of clothesline wire and some small ornaments.

Keep your eyes open for ornaments for your wire chandelier. You could use anything from beads and small stained glass pieces to upholstery tassels and small Christmas ornaments. You can even swap out ornaments to suit a special occasion or a change in the room's decor.

Scroll down to get started with Michele Beschen's easy how-to.

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	Figure A
	Figure B
	Figure C

Materials:

14-gauge clothesline wire (100 ft. package)
hanging light kit
precut mirror tiles
glue
monofilament
smaller-gauge wire
beads, tassels, chandelier crystals, other small ornaments

Note: Hanging light kits are available at stores that sell paper lanterns.

• Thread one end of the clothesline wire around the threads on the outside of the light kit socket (figure A). Curl the wire over to hold it in place.

• To form the chandelier, twist the wire around in large loops however you like (figure B).

• At points where several wires come close to each other, gather those wires together and tie a small piece of wire tightly around the bundle to hold them. This gives your chandelier structure and stability (figure C).

• Once you're pleased with your chandelier wire, and the structure has enough bundled sections to be stable, it's time to add your ornamentation. Work from the center of the chandelier outward, wiring ornaments securely to the structure.

• Be open to the possibilities for your ornaments: You can use beads, tassels, stained glass pieces, Christmas ornaments, droplet beads from traditional chandeliers—anything goes (figure D).

• Create your own mirrored ornaments from precut mirror tiles—simply glue two small pieces back to back with mirror mastic, sandwiched around monofiliament and a piece of wire (figure E).
  

  Figure D

  Figure E

  
  

• Add a globe bulb, and your chandelier is ready to hang.

These chandeliers are infinitely versatile, depending on what you choose as ornaments. You can even change the mood by changing out your light bulb: A softer-light bulb or even a tinted bulb can make a big difference.

Your chandelier could be anything from cool and clear...

to earth-toned and organic.