{bubble chandelier}

When we first moved into the loft, I thought we would need a large statement light fixture to go above the dining room table. We were having a really hard time finding something that was “right.” The best options available in our price range were at Ikea and they all seemed so recognizable and rather boring.  Chris suggested we try to make a light based off a project in one of our old ReadyMade magazines.  You can see the bubble chandelier that inspired ours in the ReadyMade archives here. The directions for this project appeared rather extensive with weaving the bulbs into groups and then weaving of those groups together; ReadyMade even gives it their highest difficulty rating! So we cut a few corners- here is how to make our version: 

what you will need:

• CB2 Bubbles (13 small, 4 large)
• paper lantern electrical cord
• two light socket splitters 
• three G25 clear 40 watt vanity light bulbs
• cotton string
• small paper clips (or small 1 inch long metal or plastic rods- I could not find these anywhere)
• scissors
• pliers
• electrical tape

1. Hang the paper lantern cord in desired location, then attach light socket splitters and bulbs. For the socket splitters, insert one in to the main lantern cord socket and then insert the second splitter into one of the outlets from the first splitter.
2. Cut string into 2 foot lengths, one piece for each bubble. 
3. Flatten paper clips into a small rod using pliers (essentially you "smash" the paper clip) and attach one piece of string with double knot in the center of the clip
4. Insert the end of the string with the paper clip into the bubble while holding the other end of the string out.
5. Begin by affixing the large sized bubbles first; most of these should be placed around the bottom underneath the light bulbs. Affix each bubble by tying the end of the string around the lantern cord with a double knot so that the bubble is held in the desired location.  Trim excess string from knot.
6. Continue by affixing all the small bubbles in between and above the large bubbles to create your desired shape.
7. Cover the knots along the cord with white electrical tape
8. Enjoy!

The best thing about this light is that you can make it as large or as small as you would like depending on the amount of bulbs and bubbles you include (I have been contemplating making ours a little bigger). I also think this project would make wonderful hanging bedside lamps using only 4 or 5 bubbles and one bulb. Faire Frou Frou, a luxury lingerie boutique, found another easy DIY way to use the bubbles here.

If this is too much DIY for your then you can also purchase the original chandelier from ReadyMade in Jean Pelle's shop on Etsy. The seller is the same person who wrote about the project for the magazine.