The Shabby Chic Chandelier...

Hi Lovies,

 I spent the better part of my weekend sorting through my home doing my "spring cleaning" and I came to the conclusion that I have a ton of stuff .

 My parents were the artistic type, they collected all types of things. Beads, ribbons, lace, buttons and trinkets of all kinds have a special place in my heart and when I come across them I cannot help myself but to give them a home.

 While going through my craft room I found quite a few things I had planned on doing and have never found the time. So seeing as it was such a gloomy day around here I decided to start one.

The Shabby Chic Chandelier

I started by gathering my inspiration materials together.....

To make the "chandelier" you will need...

Several yards of ribbon and lace ( I used sari silk ribbon and vintage lace )
Faux pearls or beads in different colors and sizes
4 yards of  elastic stringing or fishing line
Needles and matching thread
Large mason jar top with flat insert removed

  Start with cutting your ribbon to approx. 1 - 1 1/2 yrds depending on how wide it is...if it's thinner you made need less if it is thicker...well you get the ides. Now begin wrapping the mason jar lid with your ribbon....when you get to  the end tuck the loose end into the beginning (see pic below ) to give it a nice clean finish...if your ribbon is very slippery or thin you may want to add a dab of fabric glue to the ends to secure them....

  Next you want to start stringing your beads/pearls....Cut your string to the desired length, personally I like mine from the fingers holding it to the shoulder...this gives you lots of room play with. 

Next tie a knot onto one end of your string and thread one pearl through...now taking the loose end of the string and thread it back through thru pearl ( see pics below ) you now have a finished end for your string....keep stringing until you have approx. 6 in worth of pearls then tie off leaving a long tail for attaching to the base...I would suggest making 5 strings of varying length.

  The next step is the most fiddly...taking the long end of the string tie the pearls onto the base making sure to tie a double knot and then wrap the leftover string around the base repeatedly and finishing off with a tight double or triple knot...( see pic below )

  Now it's time to cut up the ribbon and or lace you will be adding to give the piece fullness....cut each piece of ribbon/lace to approx. 10-12 in. I would suggest 5 of each or 10 in total.Fold each piece in half and wrapping the loop around the base and pulling the loose ends through to make a loose half knot and pull tight....continue on until you feel your piece is full enough...

  Hang in there you are almost done...now tou want to attach 3 ribbons in equal spacing around the base (see pic below) you want to make sure you tie these on well as they are going to support your chandelier...

  Now bringing these 3 ribbons together tie them into a knot trying to get them equal in length so that your base hangs flat...

  I used a cup hook to hang mine from the ceiling in my bedroom but it would make a great conversation piece in a living room, bathroom or nursery...if hanging a nursery please make sure to keep far away from babies and small children as this may pose a large choking risk if damaged.

And you are finished!!

Fluff up the ribbons and lace and enjoy!!!!!

Luv ya,
E.