Don’t you just love all the rustic open lighting you’re seeing everywhere lately? Yeah me too! But, I don’t love the steep prices. The cheapest one I’ve found is $499, but I found one almost $2,500! No… JUST NO! I’m a total cheapskate and a real sucker for light fixtures. There is no way on God’s green earth I’m paying almost twice my car payment for a light fixture. Here is my DIY Wooden Orb Chandelier!
Whilst strolling through my local craft store I saw some Wooden Embroidery Hoops
First up, disassemble your hoops and stain them with your stain of choice. I stirred the stain well then painted it on with a cheap brush on all sides. I immediately wiped it right back off because I really just wanted to neutralize the yellow tone of the natural wood. I could certainly have left it to soak in longer and would have gotten a more opaque effect. The 3rd picture below is three hoops, from left to right: before stain, immediately after staining and after wiping off the excess. Let them all dry for an hour or two depending on how many layers of stain you added. 
Now assemble your orb. Start with the two slightly smaller inner hoops and assemble however you like best. I used three to interesect at the bottom, while leaving a small triangle at the top for the light fixture wiring to feed through (below center). The triangle is just small enough to keep the orb on the fixture. I got it all set then realized I would need to assemble it with the light already inside the hoop. Whoops! I had to take it apart and reassemble properly. Then use wood glue sparingly on any overlapping parts and clamp together. Leave to dry overnight. Drying overnight with the clamps on leaves a really solid hold so you don’t need to risk stapling or brad nailing them together later.
All you have left is to hang it! I mean how stinking easy is that? Well, if I hadn’t fractured my shoulder in July, I would have been able to do this one all by myself. That’s okay, Super Husband to the rescue!
I love the way it turned out. This is such a ridiculously easy project for a seriously small amount of cash. If Lowes hadn’t sucked me in with that beautiful blown glass shade, I would have been all in for about $25.00 since I already had the stain. As it turns out, I spent about $55.00. You can completely customize to whatever fixture you want though. And $55.00 is much better than $2,500.00 in the spending department! Want to see it lit up?
That dappled effect on the light is a product of the bubbled glass of the shade. It kind of feels super romantic, which wasn’t exactly what I was going for in the foyer. But I love it anyways.
So what do you think? Would you have done something differently? More hoops? Different stain? A different shade? Tell me in the comments below!
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Love this! Just the DIY I was looking for to help guide me as I attempt to make one for my old farm house. Quick question, is there any danger about having the heat source (light) so close to the wood hoops? I don’t want to make one and realize after hanging it and turning it on that maybe I shouldn’t have done that because the wood might catch on fire. Have you noticed anything since making your’s?
Haha! Jackie I never thought of that possibility and you’re smart to have done so. But no, after 3 years, no discoloration or danger at all. I believe most modern LED lights are cool light technology anyways.
Just found something similar on line last night for $650, which led me to search for DIY projects and yours looks closest to what I want. I ordered my materials for about $100 including the pendant light. Going to get going on it next week.
That’s awesome Diane! I hope I saved you a few bucks!
This is PRECISELY what I was looking for! Can’t wait to give it a whirl x2 for my entry and living room! Thanks so much for the great project!
Yay Lina! I hope you come back and show me how they turned out. Post them to my Facebook page, girl!
How beautiful and what a great way to make something so cool on a budget. Lovely :)
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Thanks Victoria! I am really proud of how it turned out!
I love this Cajun! And I just love how you and your hubby are so crafty together! I love lamp…err chandelier. Hah!
Haha! This is the first project where I did everything but hang it, and then only because I can’t lift my right arm that high for any length of time. This is the easiest project EVAH!
ooh, this is awesome, and what a great way to save all that money! :) love how it turned out!
suki recently posted…Commonwealth – That Time We Ordered the Entire Menu
Thank you Suki! I’m ALL about saving that extra dollar! ;)
Wow, genius! My house is decked out with much-needed ceiling fans (no central air) but I long for a fun lighting treatment here or there such as this one. This is beautiful. If you sold these online or at a craft fair…mmmm, girl!
Leilani recently posted…The Porch Makeover Continues
Ha! Leilani, I am getting so many suggestions to sell my wares that I am starting to consider it! Thanks for visiting and taking the time to comment!
I love it! The picture where it shows the light reflecting is just awesome… when I am no longer a renter I’m going to have to try this.
Susie recently posted…Homemade All Natural Pumpkin Spice Lotion
That’s awesome Susie! I really ove the way the light reflects too! I had not seen the shade lit up in the store and when we finally turned it on, I was ecstatic! Thank you for coming by and commenting!
Oh my gosh I’m jealous of your creative skills. This is exactly the type of craft project that I love to stare at longingly on Pinterest and never make! And it’s so cute!
Elaina Newton recently posted…Ten Tips For Meal Planning with Real Food
Thanks Elaina! I challenge you to your first Pinterest project! This is so stinking easy! To put it in elemntary terms, all you have to do is paint, wipe, glue and hang- DONE! I hope this gives you some confidence to tyry it :)
That is gorgeous! The stain you used is perfect, too. Makes it look like old metal. Love it!
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Thanks Chelsey! My husband thought it was metal too! I love thay strain and am ready to strain my whole kitchen in it.
This looks awesome! Since we just bought our place, there are all these little DIY projects I would love to do at some point, and this would be great.
Bev recently posted…Sometimes babies are really gross + #MomTimeThurs No. 8
This was such a quick and easy project too! You could even make several at once super easily. Happy decorating!
Hi Cajun, I love how it turned out! It’s perfect. Yes, I’ve seen those lovely lights when looking for fixtures & could never pay that hefty a price! Great job!!
Theresa @DearCreatives recently posted…Inspiration Spotlight Party #Linkup 116 Crafts DIY Decor Recipes
Those prices are unbelievable! I’m stoked about my cheapskate version. LOL!
That is beyond amazing!! I am pinning this.. I love that light and how it turned out!!
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You are always such an ego boost, Lauren! Congrats on being #1 in your category for Top Mommy Bloggers!