Sunday 20 November 2011

Girls Bedroom Light Fitting

Below is the original light fitting that the builders put in the house (in all the rooms).  I was saddened to find that they are plastic and sold at the local hardware store for $5 each (no expense spared on the builders behalf!!)  It has since been my mission to replace these light fittings with something original that I love (without paying a fortune).

                       

I was inspired by the below photo on pinterest,



and after tackling this light fitting project, I was keen to give the birdcage a go.

I picked up a fake birdcage at "The Reject Shop" for $10.  Unfortunately, like most of my projects, I didn't get before photos of the cage, because I just wanted to get started, but essentially the birdcage remains the same, just with a hole in the bottom now. I used the old light fitting as a template, to draw a circle in the middle.   And from that moment on, this is what my thought process was like... Can I drill a hole in the bottom of the cage?  Oh, yes I can.  Well how close do I need to drill the second hole to make it easy to cut the metal?  Oh, not that, close.  Better drill another hole, oops too far apart.  Any way seventy billion holes and a pair of wire cutters later, I had a large hole cut out of the bottom of the birdcage.  Its not perfectly round, and it's pretty rough round the edges, but it is a hole.


So then I thought, I will just see if it fits around the light. Yay, do a little happy dance, it does. 


I then added the butterfly by using a stenciling cutter and cutting out 3 butterflys in contrasting scrap paper, and gluing the middle together.  It not that hard, and I will take photos of how I did it when I make more (this one was an experiment).  Anyhoo, little angel has her own pet butterfly.


Today, I have changed up the light globe, as you can see in the above photo it was a spiral energy efficient globe, but I found an energy efficient globe that looks more like the conventional globe shape.  Love the look of this much better.

I have just cottoned onto DIY lightfittings, and I would love to see what you have come up with.  Please share your links, so I can stalk you :-)

Linking this project to these awesome here





17 comments:

  1. Oh wow, this is really cool, I don't think I have ever seen anyone use a birdcage as a light fixture. Really creative. Would you post this over at Sunday's Best. It's a good thing to share. Now following you. Passing good things forward to you and your new blog.

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  2. Hi Cathy, thanks for the lovely comment, and I have linked up to your party.

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  3. Hi Sarah, what a lovely light shade. I saw the one on Pinterest as well and loved it. Yours is beautiful as well. Great idea.I have joined your followers list and would love to have you to join me as well. Hugs, Gayle
    http://atastefultouch.blogspot.com

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  4. What a great idea! Yours turned out fantastically! Newest follower!

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  5. What a great new light fixture! So creative! Thanks for stopping by for a visit and leaving a sweet comment. Hope you visit again soon!

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  6. Thanks for the lovely comments. It's so nice to see such clever people appreciate my little project. Sarah xx

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  7. Still loving this light, you could make a killing is you started reproducing them. Wishing you a happy Thanksgiving, and thanks so much for sharing at Sunday's Best!

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  8. Wow - so unique! I so love it - I love upcycling things too! Your newest gfc follower, Karima www.karimascrafts.com

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  9. This is so cute! I have several bird cages I want to do something similar with! Thanks for sharing!

    -Bonnie @ Revolutionaries
    http;//bonniegetchell.blogspot.com

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  10. Thanks for the lovely comments. Be sure that I will check out your blogs. Sarah

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  11. I love your new "shade". Not sure which is better the birdcage or the butterfly. Thanks for sharing at Sunday's Best =)

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  12. I found your post via My 1929 Charmer's Sunday Best party-so glad I did! Your blog is great and it is so fun to meet another Aussie blogger...how funny to find you via an American blog party!

    I am actually hosting my weekly Pinterest party at the moment and I would be so thrilled if you could link up this post-it is Pinspirational!

    Hope you have had a great weekend!

    Best wishes,
    Natasha @ 5 Minutes Just for Me.

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  13. Ohhh-WOW! I have a birdcage that I wanted to make a light with, but now I'm undecided about turning it upside down instead of my original plan of chandelier style. It's not as ornate as the one you have here, but still pretty!

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  14. Hi Sarah, I love this! What a great idea! I'm a new follower and I'd love for you to share this at my link party on Dec 6th. Tuesday's Nursery is for all ages of kids decor. Going back to look at more of your super ideas! Have a great weekend. Nan

    PlayfulDecor.blogspot.com

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  15. I love the whole birdcage lighting look. I think Restoration Hardware has them for a gazillion dollars! I wish I was that handy, great job!

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