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Today, I am excited to share a really easy, budget-friendly DIY pendant lighting fixture that you will definitely love! As you know, with the new house we will have a TON of rooms to furnish and decorate! Since those expenses can add up, I am trying to DIY as much as possible. Plus, there is the added benefit of being able to have everything match our favorite style: Industrial! Also, being the eco-friendly gal that I was raised to be (thanks mom!), I wanted to choose as many materials and items that are as energy-efficient as possible. For those reasons, I decided to choose GE LED Energy Smart light bulbs, which are super bright LEDs that are cost-efficient as well. A while ago, I convinced my mom to switch out all of the bulbs in her home, and my parents love it! The light is brighter, their bills are much lower, and they have not needed to replace a single one yet. Awesome! Also, I wanted to use a light bulb that would be cool to the touch since it is definitely much safer when making a DIY light fixture. Now, let's get to the tutorial for my DIY Industral Pendant Light!
I should mention that we chose the more rustic, weathered, industrial style but it is possible to make the fixtures more sleek and modern. In fact, I almost made this white with gold details, which would have been beautiful as well!
By the way, if you are wondering how much this cost, it was $14.26 for the metal materials and $18.69 for the lightbulb and hanging cord setup. However, I found several coupons (all links at the bottom of the post) that made the grand total less than $30 for the pendant light. What a deal!
That means that we can make three pendant lights for less than $100, which is still less than the cost for a single industrial style light.
Seriously! Just Google "copper industrial pendant light" and you will see the average cost is about $200.
One last little tip, because GE makes practically every kind of light bulb in their LED energy smart line. Make sure to grab the right one! I needed a 40W bulb which is also dimmable. Score!
Now, let's get to the tutorial!
DIY Industrial Pendant Light
A Vintage Zest tutorial
What You Will Need
- GE LED Energy Smart light bulb
- Pendant light kit
- Exterior spray paint (I used Hammered Black)
- Optional: Interior/Detail spray paint (I used Vintage Copper for contrast but you could use the same color as the exterior)
- Optional: Spray Paint Gun
- 6 to 4-inch duct reducer (These last four items are found in the air duct aisle)
- 6-inch metal worm gear clamp
- 4-inch metal worm gear clamp
- 4-inch start collar ductboard
Directions
1. Lay out the metal pieces that you will paint on a drop cloth or other protective surface.
2. Paint the following pieces with the interior/detail spray paint
- Outside of both metal worm gear clamps
- Interior of the duct reducer
- Bottom half of the collar (in other words, anything you would see if you peered up inside, to match the duct reducer interior)
I purposely used "bad" spray painting technique to get a more vintage copper feel with almost rusty looking spots. Doesn't it look rustic? :) |
3. Paint the outside of the 6 to 4 reducer and the top part of the duct piece with the exterior spray paint. I left my duct piece untouched since no one will be able to see it from above.
4. Let dry as directed.
5. Take the two worm gear clamps and attach them to the reducer by tightening the screw to secure in place.
Note: I lined up the screw detail on the X pieces with the "seam" of the reducer, but you could place them wherever is convenient.
6. Take the light cord and thread it through the duct piece as shown.
7. Bend down each one of the "fingers" (no idea what they are actually called) so it completely envelops the light cord. Give it a few firm tugs in both directions to make sure it is secure.
8. Now, I forgot to photograph this next part, but slightly bend the part of the start collar that sticks out all around like a tutu very slightly downward. Just a little bit will help secure it in the reducer.
9. Thread the start collar + light cord through the reducer.
10. Now wedge the start collar inside by giving it firm pressure. Jiggle it to make sure it is secure. You can also secure with adhesive designed for metals, but I did not need it.
11. Add the light bulb.
12. Light it up! I love the glow from the light bulb bouncing off of the copper interior. :)
I am so excited to whip up 2 more of these because it was really so easy! Make sure to print out the GE printable coupon, $2 off LED coupon on Target.com, and the Cartwheel 30% off Soft White LED coupon. Then, check out the Target circular on April 27 - May 3 for the "Buy 1, Get 1 Free" deal for 60W LED, which can be combined with the Cartwheel 10% off deal for the same week. Lastly, connect with GE on their Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for more updates!
As I mentioned before, we are most likely going to use a set of three of these over the kitchen island, but I have visions of a white and gold one in the office, or maybe a few as task lighting in the garage. So many possibilities!
How will you make your own industrial pendant light?
What a great looking DIY post D! The dark exterior looks great with the copper. I love the styling of the first photo too!!
ReplyDeleteThanks! Inspiration for you know who... :)
ReplyDeleteThis is amazing! I love the copper look!
ReplyDeleteThanks! I love how my terrible spray painting technique doesn't matter with projects like this one. :)
ReplyDeleteLove it! That is genius...the copper gives it a nice detail. Great job...
ReplyDeleteThis is fantastic and with out you telling us it is a DIY project I never would have made that assumption. The LED power from GE energy smart bulbs is perfect for this project! #client
ReplyDeleteGenius! This is so fantastic. Pinned it...totally pinned it! ;)
ReplyDeleteI didn't know DIY lighting could be so easy! this is brilliant, thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteWhat a cute idea! Thanks for sharing! Also, Thanks so much for linking up to Handmade Tuesdays @ Ladybug Blessings! www.ladybug-blessings.com
ReplyDeleteOh my gosh this is so cool! Thanks so much for sharing at The Makers! Pinned :)
ReplyDeleteThanks! I love copper accents and I'm so happy I could incorporate it. :)
ReplyDeleteAw thanks! Totally agreed, and I can't wait to make even more pendant lights & fixtures! :)
ReplyDeleteUh oh.... What are you getting me into? ;)
ReplyDeleteYay! I hope you try it out and get funny looks from the cashier when you buy random air duct pieces, like I did! ;)
ReplyDeleteI know! I'm impressed myself how professional it looks! :)
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for hosting and visiting! :)
ReplyDeleteI'm so happy that you like it! Thanks!
ReplyDeleteThis is so creative, I love the copper and you make it look so easy!! Thanks so much for sharing it with us! Pinned.
ReplyDeleteThis is so adorable!
ReplyDeleteThanks for joining the Link Up this week!
It really is easy! :)
ReplyDeleteThis turned out really well and is such a creative use of materials! Thanks for sharing this great project at The Pin Junkie! You pendant light was one of the most popular links at the party and is being featured this week at http://www.thepinjunkie.com/2014/05/friday-link-party-66.html
ReplyDeleteOh yay! Thanks so much for hosting and featuring me! :)
ReplyDeleteThis is really nice! It is a great idea and it turned out great, I love it!
ReplyDeleteThis is really cool. You are pretty incredible, I would never think up something like this....adding to my honey do list :-)
ReplyDeleteThanks so much! You never know if the plans in your head will come out as you expect... :)
ReplyDeleteAw, thanks! (And my apologies to your hubby for another addition to the list). ;)
ReplyDelete