The light is finally finished.

While I was away at girl's camp, I was surprised to come home to my paint stick pendant light making the rounds on the Internet. Jason Loper's write-up over at Apartment Therapy kind of got it noticed. Big thanks to him! He sent me a nice e-mail to let me know so then I couldn't wait to get home and read it and then get back to the business of finishing this project.

But before I get to the final product, let me share some details. (You can reference the beginning process here.)

At first I had planned on using the existing light fixture and just give it a new coat of paint. But after looking it over, it wasn't in good enough shape. So we bought a pendant with a downrod but it was not the right length- too long with three extensions and too short with two.

Knowing we had to customize it, we also purchased connectors and a decorative chain. I wanted the downrod but also wanted to give it some sway just in case a ball is launched around the house and hits the light. A scenario like that is inevitable, especially with a bunch of kids.

Because we couldn't find the exact type of connectors we needed to connect the rod to the chain, we took apart the existing fixture and used those. It worked like a charm.

After piecing it all together and with Jon's trusty wiring job, we stood back to admire our handiwork.

Using the "decorative" end of the paint stick on the bottom of the shade gives it more detail, and we knew the light would look cool coming through. Because of their slightly rounded edges it also gives more of a finished look than the other end of the paint sticks would have given.

Now it's in place and we love it.

linking to Just a Girl

The Lettered Cottage

Fingerprints on the Fridge

House of Hepworths

The Girl Creative

Funky Junk Interiors

Somewhat Simple

Between naps on the porch

Picnic and a paint stick pendant update

On the day before school ended, the third grade classes (2) held magic shows and a picnic for the parents. It was a perfect day - no humidity. The school provided a picnic lunch and we sat under a big shade tree enjoying all of the excited talk among the kids.

We played a game of kickball, parents vs kids and can you guess who won? The parents kicked farther but they have younger legs and can catch better!

I was all set to video Reese's magic trick but then he called me up to be his assistant so there's no footage. I'll have to videotape him and upload it because it's really a pretty good trick and he practiced so much.



Good-bye 3rd grade. We'll see you in a few years.

On a side note: the paint stick pendant light will soon be put into place. I've primed and painted the underside so it went from this

to this.

After testing 3 stain colors, I've found the one we could all agree on so that will be done today. Jon and the kids' input is important to me since we'll all be looking at this light everyday.

I already have another project in mind with the paint sticks so it's back to the paint desk I go...

**Stay tuned for Friday Finds tomorrow - total spent, $5 buckaroos!**

Stir sticks - not just for paint anymore, DIY pendant light

Take an old thrift store lampshade and a million paint stir sticks

And make a new pendant light (Still needs a coat of stain and new electrical. The shade is just resting on the half wall to give me an idea of how it will look when it's in place. The chain is giving the illusion that it's hanging. )

Okay it was more like 42 stir sticks but who's counting? Probably the paint desk people. When I asked if they sold them in bulk, they answered, "No, take as many as you want." I told them I needed a lot and they said, "Go on, go ahead, take a bunch."

So they gave me a a lot and I pretended I didn't notice they were looking at me funny. I always asked. A friend of mine is a manager there and asked her manager if I could have some and they said no problem and to shoot them an email with the finished product. 

I'm sure there is a picture of me behind the desk warning the clerks of the lady with a stir stick fetish. No fetish, just an idea I had to see through.
(But if you've ever worked retail there are those notes behind the desk of serial returners, bad check writers, irate customers and other types...)

Anyway, I have had this idea on my mind since I saw something like it on HGTV about 3 or 4 years ago. And when I found this huge lampshade, I knew what I wanted to do with it. Then I made a mistake by dismantling it and couldn't put it back together correctly even after several attempts.

So, I found another shade ($2.00) which was smaller but left it intact and just hot glued the stir sticks to the outside, adjusting each one in order for the sticks to go around as straight as possible. If you don't allow a little space between each, the sticks will begin to slant and you won't have an even edge.



After I give it a coat of stain (since the stir sticks are made out of wood) and prime and paint the underside so the logo doesn't show, she will be ready to put into place. Again, for the picture, it is just resting on the half wall to give an idea of how it might look when hung in place. I am using the existing light fixture in the entrance so it will need to be replaced as well (see 1st picture) and then I can finally see how this will all turn out and you'll be the next to know. So check back soon. Hopefully it'll be up later this week.

Update...

**And now it's finished and is in place. You can see it here.

Linking to:

Coastal Charm

Funky Junk Interiors

Just a Girl

Under the table and dreaming

Remodelaholic

Between naps on the porchHouse of Hepworths

Tales from Bloggeritaville

House of Grace