Make Decorative Ceiling Fan Pulls

Turn the bead chain hanging off a ceiling fan into a decorative room accessory. Create a designer look with a ceiling fan pull covered with glass or wood beads that coordinates with the room colors, holiday season or current decorating trends. The embellished chain also extends the length of the ceiling fan pull, making it easier to turn the unit off and on.

Instructions

1. Measure the width of the current ball chain with a ruler or use wire clippers to snip 1 inch off of the end of the chain. Take the measurements or chain sample to a jewelry-making, beading, home improvement or craft store to buy bead chain in the same width.

2. Determine the desired length of the fan pull. For example, if you want to decorate nearly all of a 24-inch pull with beads, use wire clippers to snip the existing chain so it is 4 inches long and cut the new bead chain to 20 inches.

3. Use chain nose pliers to attach a "crimp end" to one end of the new bead chain to keep the beads from sliding off. Slip the opening of the metal crimp end onto the end of the chain and use the pliers to crush the center segment of the crimp end so it grips the bead chain.

4. Thread decorative glass or wood beads with large holes onto the bead chain. Generate a pattern with coordinating colors or produce an eclectic look by mixing beads of different sizes, shapes and colors.

5. Attach the new, embellished bead chain to the old, shortened bead chain connected to the fan. Snap the bottom end of the old chain into a bead chain clasp and snap the top of the new chain into the other side of the bead chain clasp. Use the clasp from the original ceiling pull chain or buy a new one at a jewelry-making or craft store.

6. Add a large, decorative charm to the bottom of the ceiling fan pull. Open a metal jump ring with chain nose pliers, insert the ring into the loop in the crimp end and into the loop at the top of a decorative metal or glass charm. Use the pliers to pinch the jump ring closed to secure the charm to the chain.

Tags: bead chain, ceiling pull, bead chain clasp, chain clasp, chain inches, chain into