Introduction: Vintage LED Chandelier

Cool and easy way to create a chandelier using a decorative or vintage object and LED strings.
This DIY project looks great, can use second hand objects and provides a good amount of lighting while being eco friendly.
Chose an object that inspires you and make it your own (don't be too creepy though lol) :P


Step 1: What You Need

Materials:

LED Strings/Branch Light - These will be wrapped around the chandelier. You can find them at a local electronics store or online. You can use any color LEDs you like, I chose white for maximum lighting.

Power adapter for the lights - The LEDs I bought came with a 12 Volt 1 Amp adapter. If your adapter cable is too short to reach your power outlet you can use a DC Power Extension Cable or buy an adapter with a longer cable, just make sure the power output matches the lights you buy.

A decorative or vintage object as your chandelier. I used a wire frame airplane candle holder from HomeSense (which also came with the ropes). You can use any decorative object of your choice. For example: decorative birdcages, model cars, swords, small guitars, lanterns, etc. Keep in mind that it looks better on objects with wire frames rather than full bodies. It's also easier to attach the lights to wire frame objects.

Hook to attach your chandelier to the ceiling. If you like, you can also get a rope at Home Depot to attach your chandelier object to the hook.

2 dry wall anchors and 2 screws *If you don't have dry wall anchors you can use a hammer and nails. Just make sure there is something solid inside the ceiling for the nails to hold in place.

Tools:

1. Hammer or Drill with 3/16'' drill bit
2. Screwdriver
3. Glue Gun and Glue Sticks (optional: I used it to hold the electrical cord to the ceiling and walls because I didn't want it to dangle)

Step 2: You're Ready to Start Your Unique Chandelier!

1. Layout your LED branches to gauge how many strings you have and anticipate how many strings you need for each section of your object.

2. Choose where to start wrapping your LED lights. I chose where to start based on the length of my LED strings and the size of the airplane. I also chose the starting location because I could hide the power cord in the rope attached to my airplane.

3. Start wrapping the LED strings around the outline of your object. You will probably have more then one string on each outline path so when wrapping two strings on the same path make sure to wrap them around a bit differently from the previous time (tighter or more spaced out).

Step 3: Keep Going, You're Almost There!

4. Keep wrapping: Don't despair! The process of wrapping the LEDs can be quite time consuming.

5. Hook that awesomeness on the ceiling! Depending on your preference you can attach your hook to the ceiling with either nails & hammer or screws & drill. If you use nails make sure there is something solid inside the ceiling for the nails to hold in place (one method is to tap on the ceiling and if it sounds hollow then there is nothing there and that's not good). Another method is to use a studfinder if you have one. You can also drill screws and wall anchors to hold the hook in place.

6. Throw a party and impress. ;)

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