DIY: Champagne Bubble Chandelier

I was sad when I recently learned Faire Frou Frou lingerie boutique in Studio City, California is closing.  Although I have only ordered online, I was enamored with the champagne bubble chandelier the mother and daughter team created to hang in their store.  On their blog, they generously shared their step-by-step guide for this chandelier so we can make it also at only a fraction of the cost {estimated cost: a few hundred dollars} of what you would pay in store.  Besides all of you crafty types, like me, will enjoy making yourself.  The chandelier measures 2’x4′; however, the size is customizable.
Supplies:

2’x4′ white wire grid panel (though you can do any shape or size)

CB2 Bubble Balls (50 small & 40 large)

Silver Christmas ball ornaments (80 small, 80 medium)

Fishing line (we bought high knot strength /30 lb.)

One spool of sterling silver wire (20-22 gauge). You can also do 22 gauge floral wire.

4 ceiling mounting hooks

white chain (about 10 feet, cut evenly into 4 pieces)

4 S-hooks

2 lamp cord kits (white)

2 half mirror light bulbs


Tools:

a 2″ nail

pliers

one pair of wire cutters (or use scissors if you must)

Scissors


See the little silver toggles on the table? Fishing line was tied into a knot around the toggle and it was slipped into the opening on top of the CB2 ball…the other end of the fishing line was tied to the wire grid.

The wire grid was then suspended from the ceiling and the fishing line began to be tied to it from there, making sure to place the wire grid under an existing ceiling electrical fixture so it could easily be installed. Be certain to have enough chain length to raise and lower the grid as needed.

Step 1: Insert your 4 chandelier hooks into the ceiling and attach about 2-3 feet of your white chain to each (make sure it is secured in the ceiling so as to carry the weight of the chandelier!). You need that extra amount of chain so that you can bring down the wire grid low enough to work on and install the lighting fixtures (and then raise up to the ceiling when you are done). Suspend the wire grid from the ceiling using your chains and s-hooks.
Step 2: At your work table, cut the silver wire into 2″ pieces (your quantity depends on the number of glass balls you are using). Loop each 2″ piece once around a nail to create the toggle. You can use pliers to adjust the size of the loop, particularly to make it small enough to fit inside the top of the glass bubble.

Step 3: Cut a piece of fishing line a few feet long. Knot one end to the silver toggle you just made. Slip the toggle inside the top of the glass CB2 ball. Then attach the other end of the fishing line to the wire grid. Hang each glass ball at varying lengths. We started from the center of the grid and worked our way out.

Step 4: In the very center of the grid we added our 2 light sockets. We wired both sockets close to the top of the grid and plugged in both cords to the ceiling fixture (or you can easily have an electrician wire the cords to a single ceiling outlet). Plug in your Half Mirror Light Bulbs.

Step 5: We added silver ball ornaments to the chandelier. We hung these balls extremely close together near the top of the grid so as to completely conceal it (the grid shouldn’t show when you’re done). For some of the balls we created toggles using our silver wire, and for some we simply used Christmas ornament hooks! Make sure that for each ball you hang directly on the grid that you twist the wire together so the hooks will not fall off if the chandelier is ever shaken (we live in California, so it’s a factor we need to consider!).

Step 6 (optional): We ended up creating a cover around the top of the chandelier so as to conceal the chains holding it up as well as the sides of the wire grid. We simply created a light-weight crate that could be hooked to the chains holding up the rest of the chandelier. It was painted a pale pink to match the color of the walls in our store. Another option is to create a framework around the chandelier and cover it in a semi-sheer fabric so as to let the light shine through, much like a lamp shade. If you hook the chandelier close enough to the ceiling, you don’t need any cover…we simply have high ceilings in our store and wanted something to finish the look of the piece.

T

he small silver ornaments were tied at varying lengths, and the 

entire top of the chandelier, next to the grid, should be covered with the silver ornaments so as to fully conceal it {see photo below}.


Voila!  The chandelier is complete.  How beautiful is that?  I love the pink box around the chandelier but any colour would be beautiful.  I would love to see it in white, gray, and especially black or charcoal for drama.  I would also install a dimmer switch to softly illuminate the chandelier.
xoxo,
B
If you would like help in creating a home you love, please contact me at Brenda@atelierdhautedesign.com

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