Geometric Copper Pendant- Tutorial

Have I mentioned how much I love this light?  I am super excited to share the tutorial for how to make it because, well, I'm a giver.  BUT, also because it is fairly simple project that looks way more complicated than it really is.

For the record, I did not enjoy geometry in school.  Angles and the pythagorean theorem…blech!  I'm not ashamed to say that I am geometrically challenged.  I do, however, know that this light is made up of a bunch of equilateral triangles…ba-bam!!!
{Thanks Ms. Grisenti.  See I was listening.}
Anyway, I share this with you because my approach in assembling this project may seem a little haphazard and, well, more complicated than it should be.  So hopefully you can follow me.

Here's what you need to get started:

*22 gauge floral wire {found at any craft store}

*tube cutter {found at any home improvement center for about $7}

*1/4 inch copper refrigerator tubing {I found this tubing at the Home Depot...about $18 for 20 ft.}

I started by cutting 30, 6 inch pieces of of copper tubing.  Note:  If I were to make another light, I would probably increase the length to 7 or 8 inches.  I wouldn't say the pendant is small, I just think I'd like the next one to be a little larger.  Anyway…

This step is the most time consuming {and possibly painful}.  Using the tube cutter is not difficult, but after repeating the process thirty times your fingers will be, well, dead.  This is good task to pass on to the hubby, especially this weekend as it is mother's day and he can't say no. 

 Happy Mother's Ya'll…by the way!

Once all your pieces are cut you can start assembling.  I began by making a triangle.

And continued to make triangles

Until I ended up with this…a pentagon-ish type shape.  Just…you need five triangles!

Then I started adding triangles around the pentagon.

And ended up with a star.

Then next step was connect the tips of all of the triangles with a piece of tubing.

Here's what it will look like after.  It's nearly done.  

You should have five pieces of tubing remaining at this point, which you will attach individually to the five bottom joints of the structure.  Be sure to leave some extra wire coming out the end of the unattached side of the tube for later use.  The arrows in the photo below better indicate which joints I'm referring to.

You can see in this picture where I attached two tubes to the joints and then to each other creating a triangle.  Continue adding tubes and attaching them to the point of the triangle.

Here's what it will look like when all five tubes are attached and secured at the point.

The structure itself is now complete.

At this point, I was scratching my head as to how I would attach the structure to a lamp kit.  Ever the DIY'er I utilized something I have readily available at my house…cardboard.

I set the light on top of the cardboard and traced out one of the triangles.

Then I cut it out slightly larger than the tracing.

I opted to use a lamp kit from Ikea {they cost about $5}.  I centered the socket on the cardboard and traced around it.

And cut it out and made sure it fit snuggly on the socket.  This cardboard piece will become the support for the light structure.

I used some of this

To paint to cardboard and light socket copper so it would blend in with the light.

If you look closely at the picture you can see how the structure is resting on the cardboard.   I actually added some hot glue to to the top of it so it wouldn't slip around.  You may be wondering how a flimsy piece of cardboard is supporting the weight of the light, but surprisingly the light isn't all that heavy.

And then just sit back and admire your handiwork!

Here's a side by side of the inspiration light and my DIY version.

I ended up making two pendant lights and spent about $20 for each.

* $28 for 30 ft. of copper tubing {one light requires approximately 15 ft. of tubing}

* 2 lamp kits from Ikea at $5 each

* 22 gauge wire about $2

...for a grand total of $40!

And a third of the cost of the original.  Happy Mother's Day to me!!!

And again, a Happy Mother's Day to you too!!!

Make it Monday...DIY Glam pendant.

Last Friday I introduced this...

white, faceted serving bowl from Target- $9.99

But when I saw it, I didn't plan on using it in the kitchen.  I planned on using it for this...

I thought long and hard about how to customize the bowl.  I toyed with painting some of the facets in pastel colors or outlining the facets in gold, but finally settled on just painting the inside of the bow gold.

I think it gives a much more expensive, glam vibe...which is what I was going for.

I initially thought I would make two pendants and use them in the master bedroom for lighting over the nightstands.  

But, in the process of drilling the holes for the cord to go through, I cracked one of the bowls.  DANG!!!

And in case you are wondering how I did it, I used one of these bad boys...1 1/2 inch hole bit.

Depending on what cord/cord kit you use, you may have to adjust the bit size.  

I used a cord kit from Ikea...

Hemma cord kit...$5.00

I learned the hard way that steady {yet gentle}, even pressure is needed {and a little water to cool the bit while drilling} or the melamine will crack.

Because I got a little hasty, I'm now left with only one light, but I'm sure I'll be able to find a home for it {or maybe I'll just buy another bowl and make another.}

And because I always like to know that I'm getting an awesome deal, I searched the web for similarly styled faceted pendants...

{source}

They are beautiful, but way out of my price range...$380-$430

{source}

This light was a little less expensive, but still a little steep for me...$114.51.

Because I already had the cord kit {$5} and gold spray paint on hand, all this little project ended up costing me was $9.99 {or 19.98 if you include the bowl I broke} plus tax and about a half hour of my time.

$10 compared to $115 or $400...I feel good about that savings, so good in fact that I think I've earned some meandering time around Target.

See you Wednesday.

Words of Wisdom Wednesday...how to replace a light socket.

A little while back I introduced this beauty...

I was beyond thrilled when I found Debbie.  I had been searching for a funky, vintage light for my daughter's room 

and Debbie totally fit the bill.

I must have been totally overcome with excitement, because I didn't even realize there was no light source until I got Debbie home.

All there was was this crusty, old wire hanging out of the tubing.

I'm ashamed to say it, but under any other circumstance, I might have passed on the light.  The thought of replacing a light socket seemed a little scary {electricity frightens me!}, and a hassle and totally outside my skill set.

I guess it was a blessing in disguise, because it forced to me go outside my comfort zone and learn something new.  And addition to learning something new, I learned that changing a socket isn't all that scary and is actually quite easy.

 Before I started working, I made sure the light was unplugged and had no electricity running to it.  DUH!

Then, using wire cutters, I snipped off the crusty part of the wire...well, Studs did.  I snapped the photo.

Then we separated the two wires by simply pulling them apart and the removed about a half inch of insulation so that the wires were exposed.

Now the light was ready to go!

This is the socket I used.

It was relatively inexpensive...under $5.

These are the various parts to the socket...the socket itself, which is the white thingy.  The red thingy, which attaches to the bottom of the socket, and two screws that are used for attaching the red thingy to the white thingy.  And yes, thingy is a technical term...at least at our house it is.

To begin, thread the red thingy or "cap" of the socket onto the wire first.

{Note, the protruding, silver part where the wires are coming out.  That is how your socket will attach to the light once the wiring is complete.  You just simply screw it on to the tubing.}

Now you can attach the wires to the corresponding screws on the socket.

If you bend the wires into a "u" shape prior to attaching, it will make the job a little easier.

Remember, the rule of thumb is neutral/white/ribbed wires attach to the silver screw and hot/black/smooth wires attach to the gold screw.

Note:  If you find yourself in a situation like I did, where both wires are the exact same color and have no ribbing or noticeable differentiation, you won't be able to tell which wire is hot or neutral.  The only way to determine that is to use a meter.

Wrap the wire around the screw so that the cut ends are on the right.

Then tighten the screw.

Do this again with the other wire and VOILA!

Now you can attach the socket cap to the socket using the screws provided in the kit.

Screw the socket onto the tubing and hope nothing explodes.  Just kidding, but kinda not.

Yee Haw!  We have light.

If you're like me and never replaced a socket on a lamp of pendant before, don't let it scare you.  I feel like this new skill has opened up all sorts of options for me.  Now, if I come across a cool vintage light, or lamp that is not in working order or minus a socket, I won't have to pass on.  And now, neither will you!

You're welcome!