Lighting is one way to quickly give your home a face lift. It can also easily and effectively add drama or create mood. This is especially helpful when you look to sell but definitely worth the investment to enjoy now. Make your own modern pendant lamp of string for about $20 using the instructions here courtesy of ReadyMade magazine. Hang them as one in the center of the room or make a group of two or three and hang at varying levels. Add another group of the same number to create balance on the other side of the room if you like. However you use them, it will create drama, interest and a conversational piece for your guests.
Ingredients
- Round balloon (some say to use a punching bag balloon)
- Crochet thread
- Fabric stiffener (we used Stiffy)
- Hanging lamp cord and socket
- Lightbulbs
- Ceiling hook
- Takeout container lid (optional)
Tools
- Scissors
- Drop cloth
- Bowl
- Rubber gloves
- Foam brush
- Clothespin
- Needle
Make the lamp
- Inflate your balloon to the desired size, and tie it off.
- Take one end of the thread and tie it to the knot on the balloon.
- Begin wrapping the thread around the balloon, keeping it taut but not letting it distort the shape of the balloon.
- Keep winding the thread around until you have good coverage over the whole surface of the balloon. The final trip around the balloon should end up back at the knot.
- Cut your string and tie it to the knot of the balloon.
- Cover your work area with a drop cloth, and fill a shallow bowl with fabric stiffener.
- Wearing rubber gloves and using the foam brush, gently apply stiffener to the entire surface of the balloon. Be generous, making sure to saturate the thread completely.
- Hang the thread-covered balloon with a clothespin and let dry overnight.
- Once it’s completely dry, pop the balloon with your needle and remove it from the globe.
- Cut a hole where the balloon knot was, and insert your light fixture.
- Install the ceiling hook in a nice spot, hang your new light, and let it shine.{ TIP } To suspend lightbulbs within larger globes, cut a small hole in the center of a round plastic takeout lid, and make another cut from the outer edge to the hole. Tie the cord in a loose knot, and slip the lid above the knot. To insert it into the fixture, fold the plastic lid and push it through the hole in the top. Once inside, the lid unfurls and the bulb remains suspended in place.
