DIY Twinkling Light Pendant |Pretty Handy Girl

DIY Twinkling Pendant Light | Pretty Handy Girl

Happy Leap Day!

How was your weekend? I had so much fun making this DIY Twinkling Pendant Light.  This idea has been floating in my head for a while. It’s a relatively easy light to make. You need very few supplies. I used a waste paper basket from Lowe’s that I bought a year ago. I’m not sure if the same can is available, but you can buy this similar one on Amazon (affiliate link).

DIY Lighting Challenge Link Up | PrettyHandyGirl

You’ll also want to check out my fellow creative DIYers and the amazing light fixtures they made:
The House of Wood | Sawdust 2 Stitches | My Love 2 Create | Kim Six Fix | The Ugly Duckling House

 

The best part about my project, is that I didn’t need to do any wiring. I used a recessed can converter kit from Worth Home Products. I used a similar one a few years ago to convert a recessed can light to hang this sphere light in our art & craft room. I’m a huge fan of the convenience of this product.

DIY Twinkling Light Pendant |Pretty Handy Girl

Want to make your own DIY Twinkling Pendant Light? Grab a few supplies and let’s get started.

DIY Twinkling Light Pendant |Pretty Handy Girl

Materials:

(I’ve included affiliate links for your convenience. I earn a small percentage from a purchase using these links. There is no additional cost to you. You can read more about affiliate links here.)

DIY Twinkling Pendant Light | Pretty Handy Girl

Instructions:

Clean your waste paper basket and dry.

DIY Twinkling Light Pendant |Pretty Handy Girl

Tape painter’s tape around the basket bin. Read more

Pretty Handy Girl Living Room Reveal | Pretty Handy Girl

5 Ways to Lighten Up a Dark Room | Pretty Handy Girl

I get a lot of questions from readers. Recently Joyce, emailed me with some questions about her new apartment in a basement. She asked, “How do I increase the amount of light in my dark basement apartment?”

Have no fear Joyce, I’m here to help and hopefully create a home that is dreamy and less hobbit-like. With a little TLC and intentional changes it will be dreamy! Here are 5 Ways to Lighten Up a Dark Room:

1. Curtains:

Easy and Inexpensive Romantic Curtains | Pretty Handy Girl

Hang curtains outside your windows. You won’t want to block even one inch of glass. Let the edge of the curtain overlap the casing. White curtains and sheers will help keep the room feeling light and airy. Be forewarned that heavy and dark drapes will absorb some of your light, so keep them light and airy!

You want privacy, but still have light come in, check out this DIY privacy film? It is a wonderful way to cover your windows but still let the light come in. Read more

DIY Light Challenge

DIY-light-challenge-graphic

I have a love affair with lighting. Lights are akin to your home’s jewelry. But, that “jewelry” can be expensive unless you DIY your own light fixtures. How about you? Do you like to make your own light fixtures or lamps?

If you do too, I’m thrilled to be hosting a DIY Lighting Challenge in February. A few other blogger friends and I have been challenging each other once a month to create according to a theme. This was my month, so I’m throwing down the glowing gauntlet and challenging you to make your own light fixture or lamp.

If you want to join in the fun, take the rest of the month to create your own DIY Light. You have until Monday, February 29th. On that day, I’ll share my DIY Light project with you and you can share your’s with me in a InLinkz link up.

Ready? Set! Go!

Need some inspiration? I created an entire Pinterest board of DIY Lighting Ideas. Use the hashtag #DIYLightingChallenge if you want to post some teasers.

Or you can check out some of my tutorials: Read more

Make Your Own Light Fixture

Make Your Own Light Fixture

Hello, it’s Jessica here from Decor Adventures. This month I have what came out to be one of my favorite projects to date. It’s how to make your own light fixture using just wood trim and wax paper, and I promise it will look great in any room in your house.

Everyone loves Pinterest for inspiration and ideas, and I’m no exception. I was looking through my pins the other day and saw this one of a stunning (and I’m sure expensive) light fixture. I instantly thought how easy it would be to DIY that light and set out getting my supplies ready.

Materials:
(contains affiliate links)

For Wood Frame

  • 3/4″ x 1/2″ pine wood
  • Hand saw or Miter saw (or have it cut at the home improvement store)
  • 9166 CORNER CLAMP
  • Nail gun and air compressor and nails
  • Spray paint
  • Old lamp shade or washer top of wire lamp shade frame
  • Hot glue gun and glue sticks
  • Gorilla tape
  • Lampshade Pendant Kit

For Capiz Shells

  • Wax paper
  • Iron
  • Circle Punch
  • Sewing machine and thread
  • Scissors

Instructions

For this tutorial, you’ll learn how to make and attach the black wood frame to a light pendant kit after you make and put on the faux (wax paper) capiz shells. For a step-by-step of how to make the shells, see my post on how to make a wax paper capiz shell chandelier and follow the instructions on how to iron together the wax paper and sew them together.

How to make the wood “frame” for your light fixture:

Cut your 3/4″ pine trim into 12 pieces. Eight of them will be the same (shorter) length and 4 of them will be the same (longer) length. My pieces are 9 1/2″ and 14 1/2″. Make sure your 8 smaller pieces are the exact same length and same goes for your longer ones. If they aren’t, your 3-D frame will not fit together perfectly.

Make Your Own Light Fixture

To assemble your boxes perfect for easier nailing, use a miter corner clamp. These are available at the home improvement store for about $25 and can be used for a lot of different projects.  Insert two of your smaller pieces into each side of the clamp, making sure the ends line up.

Using a Miter Corner Clamp

Using your nail gun, nail into the wood to secure a corner.

Make Your Own Light Fixture Read more

How to Install a Wall Sconce | Pretty Handy Girl

How to Install a Wall Sconce | Pretty Handy Girl

Do your wall sconces annoy you? Are they stuck in the 90’s, 80’s, or worse yet the 70’s? When I picked out these sconces several years ago, they were the only ones I could find that I thought were okay. But, with a living room makeover in the works, I decided to upgrade them for a more modern pair.

How to Install a Wall Sconce | Pretty Handy Girl

It’s time to learn how to install a wall sconce. Of if you are like Pretty Handsome Guy, I’m going to teach you how to install new “light fixtures that hang on the walls” (lest you think I was talking about a breakfast treat.)

scone

Whatever you call it, you can definitely do this. Ready?

Install a Wall Sconce Light Fixture Materials:

  • Screwdrivers (flat head and phillips head)
  • Light fixture

Optional: wire cutters/wire strippers

Install a Wall Sconce Light Fixture Instructions:

Turn on the lights you will be working on. Shut off the power to your light(s) at your circuit breaker. Check the lights to verify that the power has been turned off.

How to Install a Wall Sconce | Pretty Handy Girl

Removing the Current Light Fixture:

Remove the light bulb and glass shade. Unscrew the mounting nuts from the face of your light fixture.

How to Install a Wall Sconce | Pretty Handy Girl

Lift the light fixture off the mounting bracket and let it hang (or get a friend to help hold the fixture if it’s heavy.) Read more