Weekend DIY Project: How to Make a Rope Chandelier

Image via: Mindy Weiss

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Supplies

Existing Chandelier

One 1/2-inch spool of sisal rope (100 feet)

One 3/8-inch spool of sisal rope (100 feet)

Sharp scissors

Twine

A small hula hoop

A wooden spoon (or popsicle stick)

Hot glue gun and sticks

A handsaw

Some strips of duct tape

Super glue

Procedure

1. Use the handsaw to cut the hula hoop and pour out the beads inside.
2. Check if the hula hoop fits in the chandelier’s interior. If it doesn’t, reduce it with the scissors. It should fit snugly under the light holders on the chandelier.
3. Turn the chandelier upside down and begin wrapping the 1/4 inch rope around the extensions. Affix with hot glue. Use the wooden spoon to hold down the first portion of the rope to avoid finger burns. Apply a lot of glue to make sure the rope doesn’t slip.
4. Hide the rope ends by adding more rope and continuing up. Wrap the rope to the top.
5. Wrap the 3/8-inch rope around the hula hoop. You can also use the 1/4 inch rope if you want.
6. When you get close to the end, place the hula hoop inside the chandelier and glue its ends together with the super glue. Secure the ends with duct tape.
7. Cut small pieces of rope and wrap them around the circular top part of your chandelier. Attach them with hot glue.
8. Use twine to secure the hula hoop to each extension of the chandelier.
9. Hang the chandelier in the most desirable place.

Image via: Pottery Barn

This rope chandelier will look good in your lounge, living room, or dining room. You will love the way it brightens up your home. Don’t be surprised if you love this weekend DIY project so much you start dreaming up other rope projects. While it requires significant time and effort, the results are worth it. You can enlist the help of your family or friends if you are making more than one chandelier.

Have you ever tried a rope project? How did it turn out? For more DIY projects, click here.

Summer DIY Project: Round Paper Lantern Craft

Image via: Wedding Star

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Supplies

Rice paper

String

A round balloon

Water (for papier-mâché glue solution)

A battery-operated candle

Flour

Directions

1. Inflate the balloon and tie the string tightly on the tip. Suspend the balloon so you can access it from all sides.
2. Cut the rice paper into small strips (1 or ½-inch). Make sure they are long enough to cover the balloon from the top to the bottom.
3. Mix the water and flour to make a papier-mâché solution. Stir the mixture until it is devoid of lumps.
4. Immerse one strip of paper into the solution and remove excess solution by running the paper between two fingers.
5. Lay the strip crosswise on the balloon, starting with the middle part.
6. Repeat the same process for the other strips until you cover the balloon with strips.
7. Pop the balloon and remove it from the lantern.
8. Attach strings to both sides of the top opening for hanging.
9. Insert the battery-operated candle into the lantern.
10. You can secure the candle to the balloon with tape.
11. Repeat the entire process to make more lanterns.

Image via: Save on Crafts

These paper lanterns are ideal for summer, the holidays, and any other occasion. They are lovely party decorations that will be loved by guests. They are made using rice paper instead of old newspapers. Traditional papier-mâché calls for old newspapers and the final outcome would be opaque lanterns. Here, a single layer of rice paper is used. The paper makes the lanterns not only beautiful but transparent. If you are a DIY enthusiast looking for a project to keep you busy, look no further than this summer DIY project.

What creative DIY projects are you making this summer?

Summer DIY Project – Tin Can Lanterns Craft

Image via: Casadex

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Materials:

Recycled tin cans

Nail

Hammer

Bailing wire

Spray paint

Pliers

Tea light candle

Outlines (natural or printed)

Sellotape

Sand

Directions

1. Remove labels from the cans with warm soapy water. Cut out the tops and remove any contents.
2. Fill the tins with ¾ sand and water and put them in the freezer. Remove them when the ice is solid. Freezing prevents the cans from being deformed and sand prevents bulging.
3. Remove one can from the freezer and make 2 holes on opposite sides near its top using the nail and hammer.
4. Use sellotape to fix the outline to the can. Make sure you like the placement before you start hammering.
5. Hammer on the outer sides of the outline before you hammer inside. Space the nail holes evenly to create a symmetrical pattern.
6. Once you’ve created a design, let the ice melt out then dry the tin.
7. Remove the outline to showcase the design. Cut a strip of bailing wire and bend its ends to form hooks. Stick these through the top side holes.
8. Repeat the above processes on the other cans
9. Spray paint the cans. Do not paint the cans before hammering as this may create a rough exterior.
10. Leave the tins to dry for about one day.
11. Fill the bottom of the cans with sand. Place the tea light candles inside and light them.

Image via: Tip Junkie

Lights are a unique design element. They can create a magical scene that lures and enchants. Unfortunately, most outdoor lights are expensive. If you want to brighten up your exterior without spending a lot of money, try this summer DIY project. It is not only ideal for summer, it can be reinvented throughout the year for parties, birthdays, and festive events.

For more summer crafts on Stagetecture, click here.

Easy DIY Gift: CD Picture Frame

Image via: Jam Carin

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Things You Will Need

• An old CD. If the width of your picture frame is wide you may need more than one CD.
• Scissors or tin snips
• Tacky glue
• Tweezers
• A piece of thin cardboard or a piece of cereal box
• Black slick dimensional fabric paint

Instructions

1. Cut the CD into pieces using the scissors. Vary the shapes and sizes.
2. Apply the glue on the front part of the frame and spread it using the cardboard.
3. Use the tweezers to pick up the CD pieces and place them on the glued frame. Continue this process and leave space between each piece.
4. Put the CD pieces on every part of the frame until it is fully covered. Leave to dry.
5. Squeeze the paint onto a scrap paper to ensure it doesn’t come out with bubbles.
6. Fill in the spaces between the CD pieces with the paint. Keep the lines even.
7. You can repeat the lines to make them bold. However, make sure you don’t smear the previous lines.
8. When all the lines are filled, leave the frame to dry.
9. Display for all to see!

Image via: Make it easy crafts

Who knew old CDs could make stunning artwork? This easy DIY project is ideal for beginners and requires few materials. You will love it for its simplicity. Try it this holiday season and display your family pictures, holiday images, or beautiful art. Your friends and guests will ask you for tips on how to make the frames. After you show them, get started on another DIY project.

Can you think of anyone on your gift list who would enjoy this holiday craft?

DIY Craft Gift Idea: Instagram Coasters

Image via: Dismount Creative

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Video – How to Make DIY Instagram Coasters

Link to video: How to make Instagram coasters

Supplies

4 or more square tiles (4×4)

Printed Instagram photos (Resize or crop the photos so they are the same size as the tiles)

Foam Brush

Modge Podge

Clear sealant (to make the coasters waterproof)

Image via: HGTV Handcraft

Instructions

1. Use the foam brush to apply a layer of Modge Podge on each tile.
2. Place your Instagram photos and make sure they are centered. Modge Podge doesn’t dry quickly so you can realign your photos if they aren’t centered.
3. Add another layer of Modge Podge on top of each photo to make sure the coasters are waterproof. Don’t be afraid of the layer the Modge Podge creates, it dries out.
4. Leave the coasters to dry for about an hour.
5. Spray the clear sealant to make them more water-resistant. Since you’ll be using the coasters for drinking, you have to ensure they are waterproof.
6. Leave the coasters to dry then use them afterwards.

Image via: Chatterbox NYC

You may love Instagram and constantly print pictures from the site. But what do you do with the pictures once you print them? If your pictures are stacked on a shelf, get them and try this fun DIY craft. If they are still in your Instagram account, print them. You can make the coasters for your friends and give as gifts. You can also make themed coasters for thanksgiving, Christmas, or New Year’s.

Would you make themed coasters or random ones?

For more DIY craft ideas on Stagetecture, click here.