I've had this idea brewing for a while: turn a cheap-ish chandelier into a planter. {Hmmm, are chandeliers becoming a theme?} Seems there are an abundance of brass chandeliers on Craigslist and they run anywhere from $10 to $40 but I didn't want to destroy something someone might want for their home, so I put up a note on facebook asking friends if they had one to give away. Lo and behold, one of my friends came through, offering me one that had been stripped of the wiring, already painted black! I'd been thinking of this project as a prime candidate for shiny red spray paint, but resisted the urge. I liked the faded and worn spots on the paint, the black offering the opportunity for interesting foliage to take center stage.
Here's the chandelier, paired up with some glass globes from the Habitat for Humanity Restore. Each globe was a buck. They're pretty common finds at thrift stores. Try to get big ones, but make sure they're all about the same weight so the chandelier hangs balanced when you're done.
Next I took a wrench and removed the upper cup; there's just a little nut holding that in place. I was left with a saucer shaped surface to attach the glass globes. See that cardboard box in the pic? The fixture is pushed over it to keep the whole thing balanced and upright. Level is key to the success of this project.
I put a generous circle of silicone on the saucer of the fixture, then another glob on the base of the glass globe and set the globe in the saucer, working one at arm of the fixture at a time. Rubber bands were a handy way to clamp them in place, ensuring the silicone held a secure bond.
I let the silicone dry overnight and by morning everything was firmly glued in place. {Well enough, in fact, that when I clumsily knocked a globe on the kitchen counter while taking the chandelier outside it stayed on the base, phew!}
For the plants I chose some pretty vining varieties: a pale ajuga and sweet potato vine. {each plant was about $2.50, but one pot of ajuga was full enough I split it between 2 glasses. Total plant cost: $10 plus tax.} I loosened up the roots a bit, put one plant per globe and filled it in with potting soil.
I doubt they'd get enough light over the long term growing, but for a dinner party it would be a fun idea to plant some herbs in your chandelier. {Fourth of July cookout anyone?} Just think, you could reach up and grab some cilantro or chives for a bit of extra seasoning.
Since there's no real drainage, I'll have to be careful about watering, but the good thing about this project is that it will hang from a tree branch and not get too much direct rain.
Let's recap the cost of this pretty recycled hanging planter, shall we? Chandelier: free; Glass light covers: $1 each times 5 is $5 plus sales tax; Silicone: from my tool closet; Plants: $10 plus sales tax; Potting soil: less than 2 cups worth from a bag I already had on hand.
Total cost of classing up the joint? Just under $17, sales tax included! Pride of doing this myself with recycled materials? Priceless.
Now I need to string up some outdoor lights, find a few strong backs to move the picnic table under the swanky chandelier. . . and it's time to pour some champagne and kick back a while.
Renee
Garner has a passion to make things grow, although her brownish
thumb wants her to believe otherwise. When mud pies aren't on the menu,
you can find her doodling the days away at Wolfie and the
Sneak.
