How to Give Your Room a Designer Touch Using Old Chandelier Crystals!
January 13th, 2007 by admin
 |
A few years ago I was given an old (but not vintage) brass colored chandelier. The gal who gave it to me said she simply hated the piece & couldn’t wait to replace it with a more modern style of light fixture. Of course, when she offered it to me, I gladly said yes, because I knew that I could think of someway to use it.
Fast forward a few years after the chandelier has been waiting in my basement for just the right project… A few days before Christmas, I came up with the idea of removing the crystals and finding a way to hang them in the window. I wanted to use all of the pretty pieces of glass, so nothing would be wasted. So… after putting my brain in creative mode, I decided to make a sort of window mobile / curtain of glass.
Step #1 – Remove all of the crystals
Crystals have been removed & are in a bucket waiting to be cleaned.
Step #2 – Clean
I put all of the pieces in a small cleaning bucket & soaked them in water/dish soap/ and a bit of alcohol. The alcohol helps to keep water spots from forming on the glass.
Step #3 – Lay out to dry
Step #4 – Hang curtain rod inside of window casing.
* Be sure that hanging crystals will not interfere with opening the window – or opening curtains.
Step #5 – String the Crystals
I didn’t want to see the string used to hang each strand of crystals, so I used clear nylon sewing thread (you could also use fishing line). Because I didn’t want to stand up on a ladder & string each crystal, I decided to lay the rod across 2 chairs & stabilize each end with a pair of heavy books. For my project, I wanted the height of each piece to be a bit random, but you may choose to make everything more even.
Step #6 – Hang the rod in the window
* VERY CAREFULLY 
I am really enjoying my new display – even before I have my curtains up… that project will be for another day (soon I hope
[tags]chandelier, crystal, how to, window treatment, home decorating, home decor, country living, cottage style[/tags]
Thanks for sharing the instructions on how you accomplished this beautiful way of using Crystals. This is an unique idea and I love the way the lights shine through each one – this must create a dazzling display on sunny days.
Very creative! I agree that it must be stunning on a sunny day!
how fun. I bet it’s beautiful when the sun catches them.
Wonderful idea! So unique and must be just gorgeous during the day!
That crystal window hanging looks absolutely beautiful! What a great idea you had! And I really like the basket of Hydrangeas.
tea
xo
That is a great idea. Last summer on The Victory Garden they showed a beautiful garden and one of the flowering trees had a few crystals hanging from it, it really looked pretty. Now I have two ideas for crystals, I need to keep my eyes open once the yard sales start up.
Jan
Thanks everyone! I really am enjoying my windows!
* Jan – that is a wonderful idea as well! I’ll have to keep an eye out for more crystals!
What a lovely idea! I agree it must look stunning on a sunny day! I bet you will get some beautiful colors on a sunny, snow covered day too!
Enjoy!
Heidi
What a marvelous idea! I am excited to try it out………maybe…..on my front porch????? Salvation Army….here I come!
Magical!!!
‘MN’
That is such a gorgeous idea…and reminds me of the movie “Pollyanna”. I have a couple of crystals hanging in my windows to make me rainbows on sunny days but this must be just so awesome! Glad I happened by to visit your blog…=)
Great crystal idea…. I have several chandeliers with crystals we picked up at flea markets in Italy, plus just loose crystals…. I need to find a way to use the loose ones!
I’m sure you would be able to find some great ways to put those little “gems” to work in your home decor!
Another great idea would be… bring a nice branch with lots of little brnaches in from the outdoors – place it in a pretty pot – or hang it in a corner – then decorate it with all of your different crystals!
By the way… beautiful B&B!!
Thank you so much!! Pollyanna was one of my favorite movies as a child and I’ve never outgrown my desire to have crystals in my windows. Now, off to search for crystals who need a new home! I could use some rainbows in my home for the days that are a little bit darker inside myself. Merci cherie! Nanc
beautiful idea and the sparkle is worth a million bucks!
[...] A Storybook Life – I especially like what she does with crystals. (Crystals? I like crystals?) [...]