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Wednesday 28 November 2012

49 Cents For A Pendant Light?

ALMOST 49 cents would be more accurate but not nearly as interesting a title!  I did have to buy a socket and a threaded washer.  I think they came close to $7.  So, lets say $7.49 for a hanging light for over the sink.

After doing the galvanized metal paint look on the breakfast bar, I wanted an aged metal hanging light.  I was running around asking everyone I knew if they had an old funnel and getting nowhere fast. That led me to a scrounging session at the Salvation Army Thrift Store, with my sister.  She held up a metal vase (probably a florist item) and asked if I could do anything with it.  I snatched it up, grinned at the 49 cent price, and brought it home for a little DIY magic!

Here it is in it's original incarnation. ~


Of course, I had no idea how to turn it into a light fixture.  A visit with the always helpful folks at Home Hardware got the theory worked out and a little bag of parts.  

I'd like to tell you I did this myself, and I'm pretty sure I could have, but my BIL offered to do it for me.  That's A-okay with me!

A hole was drilled through the centre of the vase base with an ordinary drill and bit.  A threaded washer on the outside of the vase and a light socket screwed into it from the inside is pretty much all it took. ~



A simple length of shielded wire was fed through the threaded washer and wired to the socket.  You do want to know what you are doing with electricity to be sure the wires are attached correctly.  

The other end of the wire is attached to the box on the ceiling and viola!  One industro chic pendant lamp! ~

I love how the rivets stand out when the light is on!

It was really sunny when I tried to get shots of the finished light, so these aren't the best, but you get the idea. ~


Mixing modern, industrial with antique is called 'creating tension' in the world of decorators.  Switching things up a bit stops the room from getting stuffy or too predictable.

I just may get finished this kitchen in time for Christmas!

The draw for these cute Fun Fur Christmas Trees is open until Sunday! 



 Just drop by 


at Etsy by clicking here, choose your colour and come on back here to leave me a comment letting me know your choice.  It's super easy and open to everyone! 



30 comments:

  1. So creative for the remade. I also browsed your previous posts. You're talent and mighty for the upcycle. Love reading all. Thanks for stopping by.
    Terriea from Hong Kong

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  2. Love it!, if it's electrical, I'd get someone else to do it! The rivets look amazing, I bet at night it really plays the shadows.

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  3. Oh- I love it- It is just perfect. I really love the rivets around the opening. One of the things I never noticed before is the view of the church outside your kitchen window. It's beautiful- xo Diana

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  4. I love people who has vision (I have none). Turned out really nice.

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  5. great project -- very creative. Do you ever read the blog YoungHouseLove? I recommend it -- young couple who describe themselves as "hopeless diy-ers." Just published a book, in fact. You'd fit right in.

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  6. You know this is awesome right? So I'm pinning it on my lighting board.

    Bliss

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  7. Okay, wow......you are so smart Maureen. I always get nervous with electrical....but not Maureen!

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  8. girl are you kidding me? again?

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  9. Awesome! One of the few things (if not the only thing) that I am afraid to mess with is electricity! Wish I had a helpful BIL! I never noticed the church outside your window, either. Love it, so pretty!

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  10. Very clever. At first I thought it was a large tin can. Hey there's an idea. JK, Love your new pendant light and you just can beat 49 cents.

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  11. How clever. It turned out great and "creating tension" is where it's at these days!!! It's all about the mix.

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  12. Good project - great result!
    :)
    C

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  13. I love it, I have a vintage wire lamp shade I would love to try this with...Is your brother in law going to be in Orlando anytime in the near future LOL

    Carol

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  14. Really cute Maureen ... glad your BIL helped you, but you could have done it yourself. I love it and it looks great over your sink. Never heard the term in decor ... "creating tension" ... but that is what my house is. I am getting ready to put a single bulb drop light in my entry using an antique fixture and really excited about it. Will use one of the old Edison reproduction bulbs. Hope to post a blog on my entry re-do after Christmas.
    Blessings,
    Audrey Z. http://audreyzumwalt.blogspot.com/
    Timeless Treasures

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  15. I love it what a neat idea and I love the color, your kitchen must look amazing now.

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  16. Love your creativeness, Maureen! I am hoping my kitchen will be one-tenth as unique as yours. I plan to start after Christmas. Hope you finish yours soon.

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  17. You NEVER cease to amaze Maureen - it's adorable and I'm loving the rivets too!
    XOX

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  18. The light is excellent Maureen! You are such a clever soul! xo wendy

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  19. Hey what a neat idea... So creative!!

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  20. Love the idea for the light.

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  21. What a great idea. I love your pendant light!
    Mary Alice

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  22. Creating tension really works, I love your new light fitting, and it's also great to see a wider shot of the kitchen, with the open shelves - sorry, I'm being nosey !!

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  23. creative!!! thank you for sharing at the Thursday Favorite Things blog hop.xo

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  24. that is awesome! very funky too!

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  25. Well, I had to come by and take a look at this...and it's adorable.
    You have the BEST ideas....:))

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  26. Love it might have to steal it (the idea)

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  27. So unique! This is great! Thank you so much for sharing this at Rustic Restorations Weekend!

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  28. Now that woman would be kinda gig. ADORE the metal pendant.
    I saw some similar ones on Pinterest made from large tin cans. Look fabulous. You might want to check them out: http://www.shelterness.com/diy-pendant-lights-of-tin-cans/

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  29. Beautiful! I love this way more than a funnel! Great idea to turn that vase into a lamp :)

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