Our little light over the kitchen sink was a case of budget over beauty. I dreamt of one of those delicious Anthropologie lights, oozing with quirky style. However we had about $20 instead of $200, so we bought a Home Depot pendant and put a bucket on it. It’s cute, in a pink bunny sorta way. This 31 days business has put me on a mission to correct the little irritating bits of my home – but to do it with mostly what I have on hand. So this light became the issue of the day.
I channeled my inner Pooh Bear, and did a little thinking. What did I have that would be me? Quirky, farmhouse, vintage inspired me? Then I remembered the roll of chicken wire I bought for $1 when thrifting with Myra. Jackpot. The only tool I used was a pair of side cutters.
I cut a piece of the wire off the roll, about 10 inches by 12 inches. Cutting on the lines, I tried to keep the long twisty parts between the “combs” as long as I could to make the next step easier. I cut from the finished outer edge, so it could be the bottom of my shade.
I lined up the full first full roll of combs on each side to make a cylinder. I took the long twisty pieces where I cut, and wrapped them around the ones on the other side.
Once my cylinder was secure, I carefully started making a dome by pushing the unfinished edges towards the center. Kinda smush it with your hands to get the shape better.
You’ll need to make the hole in the middle work around the sleeve for the light bulb, which is kind of trial and error. Just take the coupler off that holds on the shade, then slide on the chicken wire and replace the coupler.
You can make it look like a cloche, or smush it all wonky and make it more distorted – totally up to you.
Anne says
October 23, 2011 at 1:47 pmI think you had a great idea. Looks very cool!
Renewed Upon a Dream says
October 23, 2011 at 1:58 pmHey I like this a lot! Did you stab yourself with the wire a lot? That chicken wire stuff is scary! Good job!
THE FARMHOUSE PORCH says
October 23, 2011 at 2:02 pmIt turned out so cute! I’d hang it above my farm sink in a minute!
♥Linsey
Gina @ The Shabby Creek Cottage says
October 23, 2011 at 2:11 pm@Renewed Upon a Dream – actually it wasn’t that bad! I walked away without bringing blood or anything 🙂
jandjhome says
October 23, 2011 at 2:21 pmI love it. I think it’s perfect for that area. It would look awesome with one of those Edison bulbs.
Gina @ The Shabby Creek Cottage says
October 23, 2011 at 2:24 pm@jandjhome – that’s EXACTLY what I was thinking 🙂 I’m heading to RH next week, and I’m gonna pick one up and try!
Dana @ Cooking At Cafe D says
October 23, 2011 at 4:09 pmLove it.
marty (A Stroll Thru Life) says
October 23, 2011 at 4:12 pmHow fun. It looks fabulous. Hugs, Marty
Shanon at Vintage Sparkle Chic says
October 23, 2011 at 4:29 pmThis is sooo cute and on a budget! I love it! Thanks for sharing,
~Shanon
Rachelle says
October 23, 2011 at 7:55 pmThis is SO adorable! And my thrifty side loves the price tag too!! 🙂
Rosemary@villabarnes says
October 23, 2011 at 8:19 pmOh, now that’s cool, Gina. A simple idea, with a dramatic effect. Love it.
Jeannie-JB says
October 23, 2011 at 10:23 pmCall me crazy, but I really like it! The bucket, not so much. I think you rocked it!
Jeannie-JB
http://www.jbsvintage.com
EvA. . . says
October 24, 2011 at 3:31 amvery creative! Looks cute:)
Stacey@A Sort Of Fairytale says
October 24, 2011 at 3:40 amit’s absolutely adorable! i’m thinking it would look just fab with a vintage style Edison bulb in there too. was just at Anthro today, drooling over their light fixtures…
thanks for the tutorial and inspiration!
ネコチョコ says
October 25, 2011 at 5:58 amI love this diy light bulb.
thevintageroomny says
October 1, 2012 at 8:12 pmThanks for the great idea.. My father in law was a poultry farmer and I have Chicken wire .. have used it for inside cupboard doors and in frames but never as Light shade!! think I will give it a try!!