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!   

More vintage lighting purchases...someone call Lighting Addicts Anonymous.

Okay, someone needs to intervene.  I just bought two more vintage lights and I'm pretty sure if the hubs finds out he's gonna flip; not because he cares that I bought them, but because they are going to take up precious, already limited garage space until I can get them properly situated in their new home.

I am super excited about this light

I bought it for the kids bathroom remodel

I haven't seen many lights with hexagon shades and couldn't pass this baby up.  And the delcious brassy finish was just the cherry on top. 

It will look great with these towel rings I bought at urbanoutfitters.com for $16.

I also bought this pendant for $10

Unlike the other pendants I bought, this light is hardwired.  I think she may go in the toilet area of my master bath room.  I couldn't help but fall for the rippled, glass orb...and of course the brass.

Sheash, am I the only one who gets obssesive about this stuff?  I think now would be a good time to distract myself with a cupcake.    

vintage 70's lights...can you dig 'em?

I've been on a bit of a vintage lighting kick...here's why.

It all started a few weeks ago when I came across this photo {of designer Emily Henderson's bedroom.} 

I was immediately drawn to the hot pink, vintagey, velvety goodness hanging above her nightstand for reason's I can't explain.  I'm not generally attracted to velvet...or seventies home decor in any capacity...seventies music and dancing, well now that is a whole other matter. 

Anywho, last week while I was visiting my mom and family in southern Utah, my sis and I stopped by a little consignment shop.  And what do you know...

there she was, just hanging there.

 Why do I feel an overwhelming urge to sing "boom chicka wow wow" when I see her all aglow.

What made the moment even more perfect was the fact that Blondie was blaring over the sound system when I locked eyes on her...no, seriously.  It was as if the Gods of disco were orchestrating the whole thing.    

Debbie {that's what I named her...seems only fitting, right?} had the same velvety goodness as the inspiriation light, only in bright purple {not a color I'm typically drawn to, but I was willing to overlook}.

 Debbie had the same scalloped, drum shape

and delicious, aged bronze details.

Debbie cost a little more that I would normally care to spend...a whopping $49, but it just seemed wrong not to buy her considering the way everthing seemed to fall right into place.  After an extensive search of keywords like "seventies", "velvet", "drum", "pendant", "gaudy", "brothel" I realized there weren't many, any really, similar looking lights to be found and I felt even better about my purchase.

The closest match I came upon was this royal blue number on ebay...pretty awesome right?

Now, fast forward to yesterday.

I'm was still on a bit of a high from meeting Debbie.  Do you ever get they way when you feel like you've just won the lottery in thrifting/hunting process?

I had a bum load of stuff to donate to the D.I. {Utah's version of the Goodwill} but decided I would stop in first to see if any treasures were waiting for me.

And holy flippin' crud...

this beauty was just lying there waiting for my sweet caresses {cue the Exile now..."I wanna kiss you all over".}

Some more brassy goodness.

and only $15

There wasn't any Blondie playing...if fact I think it was "Call Me Al" by Paul Simon, but I still felt like the Gods of Disco were watching over me.   It was a vintage 70's lighting harvest.

and it seemed only appropriate to call him...well, Al.

I also walked away with two vintage orb pendants as well, which I creatively and thoughtfully named,

Paul

and Simon

These set me back $8 each, but if I'm not mistaken similar orb lights on West Elm run about $100.  Granted they are a little more aesthetially pleasing than my "vintage" version, but saving over $180 on cost more than makes up for what they lack in style.

Now to figure out where all these pendies are gonna go.  Perhaps turning down the lights and turning on some ABBA might inspire.

Let the light fest begin!