Tuesday, June 19, 2012

cut "glass" 5-cent pendant shade



I promise, you're going to laugh.



Partially, because yes, I've made another light fixture. And I'm filling up this post with lots of photos of it finished.



The tutorial is just too easy.



The other reason you're going to get a giggle is that this cut "glass" pendant is made from a plastic 2-liter soda bottle.

We don't drink much soda (this is actually a 2-liter sparkling water bottle), so this pendant is pretty much a one-off in our house. Until the next time I need some sparkling water, that is. And because it was a "test" project, I didn't take photos of it in-process. But I really should have. Obviously. Because it actually turned out. Against all odds.



If I make another one, I'll update this post with a step-by-step photo tutorial, but honestly, you can replicate this really easily.



Supplies:

1) clean 2-liter plastic bottle, with label and sticky stuff removed
2) hanging lamp cord kit from the hardware store (mine came from one of the paper lanterns I used to have in the other corner of the living room)
3) low-wattage LED light bulb (DO NOT use a standard heat-producing bulb)


Tools:

1) sharp utility scissors
2) ruler
3) pen
4) rubber band
5) palm sander


Steps:

1) Sand down the surface of the bottle to help diffuse the light and to make your pendant look cool. Wear gloves to protect your hands and work outside.

2) Cut the bottle neck off of the plastic bottle, as close to the top as possible, so that the plug end of your light kit will fit through the resulting hole.

3) Using the rubber band and the ruler to guide your pen, mark a line on the bottle and cut along the line with your sharp scissors. The bottle should be cut long enough to disguise the bulb inside the fixture.

4) Assemble and hang.

And there you have it! No, literally, you can have one. They're really easy and inexpensive.


Other Lighting Projects:

Another Paper Lighting Fixture (Design*Sponge-inspired cupcake liner paper lantern)

The Fanciest Thing in My House (faux capiz shell chandelier)

Lampshade Re-Do with Upcycled Milk Jug (milk jug flower petal lamp shade)

Progress (lamp made from an old cedar stump and thrift store lampshade)



Linking up to:

Handy Man, Crafty Woman

Tip Me Tuesday at Tip Junkie

A Bowl Full of Lemons

Mommy by Day, Crafter by Night

Today's Creative Blog

DIY Show Off

The Stuff of Success


Open House Party at No Minimalist Here

Catch as Catch Can at My Repurposed Life

2 comments:

Kristin said...

How clever!!! Might have to try this =)

gail@My Repurposed Life said...

way cool! I love how easy this is. Great tutorial, thanks for sharing at Catch as Catch Can!
gail