whirly chandelier how-to
Thursday, July 1, 2010 at 12:02PM In our new fall catalog, we created a chandelier using our whirly hanging candleholders. It’s a dramatic DIY project that’s been displayed in a few of our stores—and by a few of our facebook followers!
Supplies:
1. 18 whirly hanging candleholders.
2. Since multiple tealights would create too much heat, only use LED powered smart tealights.
3. String or cording to hang the whirlys. We used 1 roll of Rexlace plastic lacing. We chose it for its wide range of colors, its flexibility and strength.
4. Hanging hardware appropriate to your decor and ceiling type—ie. anchored or screw-type. We used inexpesive galvanized “S” hooks since we knew they’d be cropped out of the final shot.
Directions:
1. Choose a location for the chandelier and install the proper hanging hardware.
2. Measure the length of cording you’ll need. If it will hang above a dining table, a clearance of about 30” is recommended to allow for unobstructed dinner conversations. Add 6-8” for 2 slip knots—one on each end. Hint: it’s always better to go longer than shorter when cutting since you can always trim excess cording.
3. Loop the cording through the top of every whirly candleholder as shown. Tie off the opposite end with a slip knot.
4. Gather all the cords and gently hang the slip knotted loops on to pre-hung hanging hardware.
5. Turn on smart tealights as needed and enjoy the lasting glow.
chandelier, whirly candleholder in how to
Reader Comments (19)
Such a great idea -- loved this when I saw it online; would never have guessed it's held up with plastic lacing! Thanks so much for providing these instructions and sources. Would love to see more cool catalog how-tos in the future. <hint. hint.>
I intend to use some of these intermixed with bright red balls over my holiday dining table. I've used just the balls before and this will add a lot!
I thought this was a chandelier when I saw this until I found out these were tea lights. I'm in love with this, if this was a chandelier.I NEED to find this as a chandelier. Is there a way this can be recreated?
yes, thanks for this! just got your fall catalogue and came here for the DIY instructions. Way to go, CB2!
This was just what we needed in our kitchen. We were worried that it was not going o stay with the plastic lacing, but it is up and has not budged! We love love love it!
Oh my gosh, LOOOVVVVEEE this!
LOVE this idea. LOVE the look. But turning on all those tea lights? That would be a pain and I fear one would rarely use it. And the life of those tea lights isn't long.
Finally got around to doing this...it's fantastic! It looks cool even when the tealights are not on, or the candleholders are empty. We have some recessed lights in the ceiling already, so those work just fine for "every day" use...
I absolutely LOVE this idea & am thinking to use it at my wedding, but does anyone know how large the balls are? If so, please share!
Thank you!!
Each whirly is just over 5" in diameter. Good luck Lindsay and Best Wishes!
Any more tips on the "hanging hardware" to be used? I plan on hanging some of these candleholders and hanging vases above my dining room table, but not in a group. What would be the best hardware to use for this? I see the metal hook but, what's it attached to?! I liked the tree branch featured in some of the catalogs, but I have no idea how I would get a branch attached to my ceiling... any help would be much appreciated! Thanks!
Rock Chalk!
Hi Kristin!
We're happy to hear you like the idea so much to put it in your home.
We always recommend you contact a hardware store directly for advice on hanging hardware. They'll want to know what materials make up your ceiling/walls to determine--or offer suggestions as to--which hardware could work best for you. Good luck and keep us posted!
I love these candleholders!!!! Is there a way to tie the balls such that they all face the same direction? Thank you!
has anyone created this chandelier with more than 18 candleholders? if so, how many? what would you think is the max?
I used these in a similar way in my entry and I used little eye hooks screwed into the ceiling. I hung them individually (one from each "eye") and they are holding well. Instead of the plastic I used ribbon. The hardware store usually has a lot of options and the individual boxes will tell you how much weight the hooks can hold. I'm going to make this chandelier too, over the dining table, and I'm going to use a larger hook with a drywall anchor that can support the weight of all glass balls together.
I am going to re-create this room adornment in the corner of my office, with fewer glass balls, some colored sand, and sea shells, and some colored tea lights too. I love the look, it is eye-catching!
Cute but I LOVE THE CHAIRS!! Are they all from CB2?
the glass balls were used at a flower festival at St Peter!s Parish church Barbados in January this year .They were absolutely stunning
So glad you like the chairs Trina!
Yes, all are--or were--CB2 chairs.