FaveCrafts

1000s of free craft projects, home decor ideas and DIY tips

What’s a Pendant Light?

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I have to admit, I’d never heard of a pendant light before I started blogging for FaveCrafts. Maybe I just haven’t spent enough time decorating my (non-existent) home. Or perhaps pendant lights are just the latest craze in the craft world. I love talking about craft trends on this blog, like embroidery hoop crafts, specimen art, and burlap, so I figured I’d cover pendant lights too. I put together a list of 15 DIY Pendant Lights, and you should check it out to see the different lamps, chandeliers, and light fixtures I found. Here’s the truncated list of my favorites.

The Dollar Chandelier is one of my favorite projects on FaveCrafts. It just seems too good to be true–it’s cheap, it’s easy, it’s stylish, and it’s just such a pretty picture. You really won’t believe what it’s made from. Go ahead and check it out, and then come back and read about my other faves. I’ll wait…

I also love this Polka Dot Tissue Lantern. It’s another simple project that will only cost a couple bucks to complete. And the impact is amazing! I’d like to make a bunch and group them together to inject an extra dose of style.

Last but not least, we have the Scrap Wood Lamp. I’m not that into wood accents, but this lamp is an exception. My favorite part is that all the wood pieces are just scraps from other projects. My other favorite part is that the tutorial makes using power tools look easy! Yes, even you can use power tools and wire a lamp with this tutorial. It’s amazing.

Read the entire article here to see all 15 DIY Pendant Lights. And now here are a few cool DIY pendant lights I found around the web.

I was totally wowed by this DIY Sputnik Chandelier made from parts of an Ikea lamp. Bonus: there’s even a tutorial so you can make one yourself too! This is another one of those projects that will leave you wondering “why didn’t I think of that??”

These hemp pendant lights are similar to my glue yarn ball tutorial I recently posted. You can see some additional tips and tricks for getting them to look great as giant pendant lights here.

You know how much I love coffee filter crafts! This pendant light is covered in them–literally. It sounds like this light took forever to make, but it looks like it was definitely worth the effort! Just look at how gorgeous it looks over the table! I also love the drama of such a large, in-your-face light fixture.

See more cool pendant lights to make in my article, 15 DIY Pendant Lights. Have you ever made a pendant light? How did you make it? Which one of these projects is your favorite?

How to: Revamp a Lamp

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Here’s a fun, crafty way to upcycle and makeover a room: revamp a lamp! No one ever told me how easy it is to redo a lampshade, so I’ll let you in on a little secret–It’s pretty darn easy! The amount of time and energy that goes into lampshade makeovers is pretty nominal compared to the impact a new lampshade can have on a room’s overall look. Here’s what I did in my room:

I used the “Shabby Chic Pleated Shade” tutorial from Ruffles and Stuff to make this beautiful lampshade. I started out with a plain white shade and an old pillowcase, both from the Salvation Army. I cut the pillowcase into long strips, about 1 inch wide, and pleated them with my sewing machine. Then I took a hot glue gun and attached the strips around the shade until the entire lamp shade was covered in gorgeous pleats! You don’t have to finish your edges because, after all, this is called “shabby chic.” This project is perfect for a little girl’s room or any room that is romantic and girly. I absolutely love the texture!

Here’s a tip if you’re trying this at home: Use thread that’s the same color as your fabric. Sounds obvious, right? Well, I used red thread because it’s all I had, and I thought it looked fine. But when you turn the lamp on, all I see is the read thread and it drives me nuts.

There are tons of other ways to revamp a lamp, if this one’s not your style:

    1. Lamp Shade Refashion: This beginner sewing project is easy but it will look like it was done by a professional! Refashion your lamp shade with a few easy sewing techniques and a bit of ribbon.

    1. Ruffled Lamp Shade: If you know how to sew ruffles, you know how to make this ruffled lamp shade! Use out easy, beginner sewing projects to make one for your home.

    1. Cute-as-a-Button Nightlight Shade: Make a beaded lampshade for a nightlight, without any sewing. The secret’s in the double-sided tape. By day it will look elegant and decorative, and by night it will light the way in a darkened room. This design makes a great gift, home decor, or finished product to sell at a craft fair.
    1. Scrap Ribbon Lampshade: This lamp will match any room because of all of the colorful ribbons attached to it!

    1. Bird and Branch Lampshade: Decorate a plain lamp shade for a cute accent in the baby’s room or at your own crafting table. The fabric pieces are easy to die-cut.

    1. Paper Graffiti Lamp: If you’re looking for a way to spruce up your bedroom try this tutorial for a Paper Graffiti Lamp.  Making your own graffiti is easy when you use some paint and telephone book pages.

Read more DIY Decorating ideas here! Have you ever made a small change that made a big difference to a room’s overall look?

New Pattern Monday: Romantic Accents

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Give your dining room or bedroom a romantic facelift with small accents that illuminate a dim room. Lighting is the key to setting a romantic mood, isn’t it? If you’ve got a beautiful dinner for two set up, and the lights are brighter than ever, it just won’t feel as romantic. You’d be surprised how small changes can make an otherwise boring room into a romantic haven for two.

Check out these cool lighting ideas that make for romantic accents:

Holiday Candleholders – Festive for Valentine’s Day.
holiday-candleholders

Faux Stone Candle Holders – Creates a rustic-chic look.
faux-stone-candle

Chunky Candleholders – A more modern twist on romance.
chunky-candleholders

Illuminate the Night Lantern – A trendy night light that’s not just for the kids.
nightlight

If you like these crafts, check out more Candle Crafts at FaveCrafts.

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