Clear cut crystal bead that can be used to make a light fixture.
Crystals have long been added to light fixtures. The different angles of crystals capture the light and multiply it causing a sparkle effect. This effect adds drama, excitement and romance to a room. Add crystals to older light fixtures to give them a new appearance. Crystals can replace or be added to shades, glued to light fixture arms and frames, and mounted along the support structures to hang like dangling jewels. You can make almost any light fixture into a crystal light fixture with a few tools, some glue and a lot of sparkling crystals.
Instructions
1. Choose outdated light fixtures you may already have in your attic or garage. Select a fixture with a sturdy metal frame that is in good working order. Remove the light bulbs and tape over the opening where the bulb screws in using painter's tape. Clean the fixture of any rust, dirt or debris. Lightly sand the metal if the fixture has a shiny finish to allow your new paint to adhere.
2. Spray paint the fixture in a neutral updated color that will match other fixtures in your home. Hang the fixture from the branch of a tree so you can spray all sides easily. Spray with short even strokes. Make several thin passes to avoid overspraying and drips. Allow the fixture to dry four hours.
3. Cut crystal bead strings to fit the length of each arm of your fixture. Start from the center and move outward. Glue bead strings on the underside of the largest arms first. Keep in mind that your crystals are seen from below. Use a hot glue gun to attach the beads. Swag bead strings between arms for a draped effect. Glue the end beads to the arms with hot glue to hold them in place.
4. Organize your crystal drops from largest to smallest. Wire each drop with 20 gauge wire. Insert wire into the drop and bend the end so that the wire cannot pull back out. Thread on any additional crystals you wish to add to the wire. Form a hook on the top end of the wire.
5. Attach the large crystal drops first. Create a balanced appearance so that the fixture doesn't look lopsided or heavy in any area. Position the next smallest drops second. Continue hanging drops until the fixture has the appearance you like.
Tags: light fixture, bead strings, light fixtures, crystal bead, crystal drops, fixture with