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!!!

{Urban Outfitters} Inspired Geometric Pendant…who knew lights could look so good!

Uh, so, in case you didn't notice, I've been AWOL the past couple months.

  

I won't bore you with the details of my lengthy disappearance, but will simply just say that my family really appreciated my full attention these past few months {and I really enjoyed giving it to them} but I am more than ready to get back to blogging and project..ing!

Which brings me to...

My son's bedroom, which up until recently was pretty much just a box with a bed in it.  Very sad.  Very uncool! 

Which is unfortunate, because Carter's a pretty cool kid...

{except for when he encounters a spider}
so I was feeling the pressure to perform with these lights.  I knew they would have to be pretty awesome to get his stamp of approval.

And then I came across this pendant light on  UrbanOutfitters.com

and I knew I had found my inspiration.

They aren't' ridiculously priced at $69, but I needed two {one for either side of the bed} and didn't want to eat up $150 of my already tight budget.  So, I decided to try and make my own for a fraction of the price.

My DIY version of this geometric pendant{s} cost about $20 {per light} to make…and actually ended up looking equally as cool as the original.  Initially, I had planned on painting the lights gold/brass, similar to the color pictured above.  But once the lights were complete I kinda loved the copper.  I think for a teenage boys room it was the right choice over the gold.

I think I might actually have a crush on these guys.  Carter may be starting to catch on as I stop and admire them every time I pass by his room.   I mean, it's kinda hard not to stare at them, right?

And for those of you interested in kicking up your cool factor, I will be posting a tutorial on how to make these in the next day or two.  You'll be surprised at how easy it is to be cool!

Make It Monday...Anthro mirror knock-off

I came across this mirror from Anthropologie a little while back and really liked it, but I didn't much care for the price...$328.

Wanna know how I recreated the look for under $15 using wood embroidery hoops and yarn?  I knew you did.

Embroidery hoops are relatively inexpensive.  I used different size hoops ranging in price from $1.29 to $5.29 and purchased all of them at Hobby Lobby.

Each embroidery hoop comes with two rings..an inner ring, and an adjustable outer ring.  I used both.  In total, I purchased eight hoops and used all 16 hoops for this project.  You could use more and make it bigger, or use less and make it smaller.

I purchased...

 one 18 in. hoop

one 12 in. hoops

three 10 in. hoops

and

three 8 in. hoops

I began by laying the rings out on the floor until I found a pattern/design that I liked.  I attached the rings to each other by wrapping cream colored yarn around them.  Doing this also helped conceal the little, metal contraption that tightens the outer ring.  {You could also use, colored yarn, hemp, twine, wire...whatever floats your boat.}

I took me less than a half hour to attach all of the rings together...and have a completed project.  Don't you just love quick projects?!?

Here's a peak at how they all look attached together.

I ended up putting my creation in my bedroom.  I'm in the process of finally doing my master bedroom and have been searching for a large, graphic something to put above my headboard...this ring, wall decoration was perfect.  I love the fact that the rings are natural wood, but you could easily paint them or stain them a darker color.  

Once I get my wall painted {I'm thinking of painting it a dark grey} the art will really pop.

Not too shabby for a grand total of $14.09.  I saved myself nearly $315.

Tip of the day...art doesn't have to be extravagant or pricy.  There is beauty to be found in everyday objects and things.  It's all just a matter of thinking outside the box, or hoop, as the case may be!

Hand Painted {Anthro} Inspired Lamp Shade

I recently introduced you to my wonderful, new friends Lucy and Ethel.  Aren't they cute and vintage-y? 

I decided I should dress them up with a new, fabulous shade...like this one from Anthropologie pictured below {$118-128}.

{source}

I love how bright and colorful it is...a modern take on the chevron stripe.

I'm in the process of redoing my master bedroom and wanted to add some brights pops of color.  I thought this shade would be perfect.  But since I am in no position to run out and drop $250 on two lamp shades, I had to improvise and try my hand at making my own. 

 I already some white lamp shades just waiting for a makeover.

I started by freehanding zig zag stripes all around the curcumference of the shade.

I used a water soluable ink pen to do this.

{You can erase the ink with water, or in a few days the ink will evaporate and disappear.  They are about $3 and can be purchased at any craft store.}

Once I had my lines drawn out, I went to town painting all of the stripes {I used regular old acrylic craft paint and a stiff bristled brush to do this}.

I embellished the stripes further by adding "dots" using a grey and dark pink marker.

I didn't take a picture of this step because it was 2:30 am and I was delusional.  But, you can see what I mean in the picture below.

Finally, I added the small patches by painting little squares all over the lamp shade and embellished them by adding "dots" using the wrong end of a paintbrush and craft paint.

And voila...done.

It's not a perfect or exact replica of the original.  I personalized the colors I used for the stripes.  My only complaint is that I wish I could have captured the "watercolorness" of the Anthro shade.  But it still maintains the vibrance and funk of the original...and it totally shows off Lucy's curvalicious shape, no?  Even better, it only cost me about $15 to complete.  And for that, I like it just fine.

In total, I ended up spending {$3.50 on paint, $5 on new markers cause my kids had dried all of ours out, $4 on new paint brushes and $3 on the water soluable ink pen.  That works out to a grand total of $15.50}.