How to make the mason jar chandelier

First I built a box that is the base of the light fixture.  I used 1/2" MDF (because I had it laying around).

The base is 6"x35"

I took this opportunity to use my new Kreg tool

I also learned how to cut crown moulding

 I worked with the box upside down so the table would act as the ceiling, and I could position the crown moulding correctly.

very important to start your nails first

mark where your wires will come through

pre drill, then drill all of the holes

I painted with a sample from Home Depot... best value $2.99

Then I drilled all of the mason jar lids for the electrical fixture

I use a nail to tap the metal to keep the drill bit from walking

clean it up a bit so you don't get cut later

The top of the light fixture

this is a ceramic disk which acts as an insulator so you won't get shocked from hot wires touching the metal lid.

progress

I purchased fabric covered wire from an antique specialty store.  I put masking tape around the points where I cut to keep it from fraying.  I cut lengths varying from 23" to 27"... 16 total

this was 3 ply wire.  My fixtures had no connector for the ground, so I just cut it back.

After 2 coats of brown paint, I dry brushed some black paint on to match my kitchen cabinets

I am pleased with the results

Very carefully wiring to ensure that white wires and black wires cannot possibly touch.  If any wires are visible from under the wire caps, adding a little electrical tape is a good idea.  I wired to an electrical plug, because I don't want to hard wire this fixture, I am adding a plug to the socket.

preview on wiring

My electrician suggested adding sheet metal to the top of the fixture, just in case.  If anything shorts out, it won't  burn through the ceiling.

I enlisted the aide of the hubbs to actually hang the fixture

I used ceiling hangers with 5" screws

he measured and wallered out some holes

installed this into the existing light fixture, so I could just plug in!

Brighter than the surface of the sun!!!

So we added a dimmer switch!... be sure to get one rated for the correct wattage.  This fixture is currently putting out 640W, plus the other lights on the circuit, we got a 1000W dimmer.

I am not an electrician, but I know one.  This is my wiring diagram

Thanks for looking.

Mason Jar Chandelier

I have been eyeballing a chandelier in the Pottery Barn catalogue for months.  I love this light!

But ... OMG the price tag is $399 in the PB catalogue.

So I do what anyone with a little creativity will do.. I set about making the thing myself!!

6' Ruler

I love Pinterest!  I try to look at it daily.  Seeking inspiration for my next project.  I have boards I created called "For The Home"  "Craft inspiration" and "In my home".

How I manage my boards?  When I see things I would love for my home, or think I can re-create, I pin them.  If I eventually buy or make the items I pinned, I move them to the board "In my home."

So, just before POKENO night in August, I was inspired by a 6' ruler, that looks like the 6" rulers we had in school.  I followed the link to ETSY, and found that the woman was selling them for $80 each... OUCH!  So I decided to see how it would turn out if I made one... so of course I made 2.  One to keep, one to give away.

OK.. So it isn't just a really cute home decor item... it is a functional growth chart!  This is so much better than marking the inside of a door frame, and much prettier than those folding paper charts.

Since the first 2 rulers were so successful, I have decided that these are the perfect baby shower gift.. so I made 5 more.

Pokeno Party

In June, after my new furniture arrived, i hosted a Pokeno Party at my house. I love how my console table pulled double duty as a drink station

Breakroom table

So i started getting bored and needed a new project, and we needed a new table for the breakroom at work.... So i started stalking Craigslist.org looking for a piece to redo on the cheap. So i found this table from Bombay Company for $20 (retails for $699). It had some spots where the finish was damaged, and the legs needed to be tightened. No matter, it was a great table with huge potential

So the first thing i did.. Using a chemical stripper i stripped the finish off of the center of the table where i planned to apply a stencil. I then sanded the area with 180&220 grit paper. Then i applied the stencil I made on my cricut, and painted with a black, flat latex paint.

 Then i sanded to distress the stencil, and applied a wood conditioner and stain.

Using paint samples i purchased at Lowes, i painted the rest of the table ( after sanding it lightly).

After painting, i applied several coats of clear, glossy, polyurethane

I love the details on these legs!!!

It is really a shame I have nowhere in my house for this table, because I absolutely love it.  But I do get to enjoy it at my home away from home, everyday.