Hanging Umbrella Light

If you are looking for a cheap, easy, artistic looking alternative to lighting, you might like this bright idea. It makes a great gift idea for that person who has everything, and it's guaranteed to brighten their day.

This hanging light/ chandelier can be plugged into your existing light socket, so the light can be turned on and off with the wall switch like a normal light.
Does not require any hardwiring!

I made this in about 35 minutes, for under $50. Only very basic electrical knowledge is required. 

Step 1: What You'll Need

What You'll Need:

• Paper Umbrella* - price varies
  (I got mine for $35 at an antique store. Probably overpaid a lot, but I didn't have time to shop around)
• Lamp Sockets (3) - $1.97 ea
  (the hardware store calls them "lampholders"
• 6' extension cord - $1.47 
  (ground wire optional)
• Lightbulbs (3)- $.33 ea
• Wire caps (2)- $1.99 for 25
• 3" hose clamp - $1.30
• Socket to Outlet Converter- $1.72
  (allows you to plug a cord into a light socket)
• Brass hook - $.4m
• Electrical tape (optional)- $1.99

             Total Cost: $44.32

Tools

• Cross-head screwdriver
• Flat head screwdriver
• Wire-strippers
• Wire-cutters

​Note: Paper umbrellas like this come in all colors and designs. Many have dragons, Chinese symbols, and other images on them. They do look nice when the light comes through them,  but I find that the plain umbrellas are a lot more versatile and go with more decor.

Other umbrellas can be used as well, as long as the material is translucent.

Comments

[Penolopy Bulnick]

I love the effect of the light through the umbrella! Beautiful!

[EnergyHandyman]

my wife is gonna love this someday, awesome

[MissBizzyLizzy]

This is genius! I will definitely give this a try.

[John Sphar]

Very nice looking shade, pretty and creative. I would want to make a comment as to the wiring, just for safety's sake. Electrical codes would require that the spliced wires (wire nuts) be within an electrical box and the shade and lamps should be hanging on a strain relief other than the conductor wires.

[tylercard]

Thanks, it is hung by a strain relief and no weight is placed on the wires, but I'll take the electrical box recommendation into consideration.

[BrianJewett]

Positive/negative rules may not apply but hot and neutral still mater. It may not be functionally different but doing it the correct way is safer.

[lpobiak]

This is very nice! Love everything about it! Great job :-)

[provod]

Beautiful! This is just old thing, but this is loocks new/ Like this

[Jeff-of-all-trades]

Pretty creative idea, nice instructable! I would like to help clarify one thing I noticed, the picture shows black as negative and white as positive. House power is typically AC (alternating current) where the voltage polarity switches (to create the back and forth 'alternating' currents) so they are both positive and negative at different times. Most use the terminology: black is the hot (live) line and the white is the neutral (return) line. The bulk of the confusion arises because in DC (direct current) black is typically negative and red is typically positive. Others are welcome to correct me if I'm wrong.

[tylercard]

Hey Jeff, you're correct. This is the first time I have made something that runs AC, so I wasn't sure, so I just played it safe and stuck to my old DC knowledge. Thanks for clearing that up for me though!