Rustic Farmhouse Style Pendant Light Shades

Hey guys! I hope you've had a wonderful spring week in your neck of the woods. 
I do like to "keep it real" around here, but
posting blog photos with dishes in the sink? Yes, well...it's been a busy (but fun!) week around here. I was anxious to show you my 'finally finished' junk style shades for our kitchen pendant lights, so I hope you'll forgive my less-than-tidy sink today. 

About a month ago I shared my Farmhouse Style Kitchen Update. We actually live in a fairly new, more contemporary style home, so "farmhouse" is really more of a dream than a reality.
But I've tried to bring in some of the vintage farmhouse feel that I love without looking crazy with the style of the house. One of the biggest challenges in this space has been the very contemporary light fixtures. 

We are renting our home, and although I do own a couple of really cool vintage chandeliers, I haven't wanted to invest the effort into actually taking down the existing fixtures, installing the vintage fixtures and then having to undo all of that when and if we move. 

A temporary fix I created in the dining area is this shade I built out of vintage garden fencing (and a hula hoop!) to simply camouflage the fixture I didn't like. I've updated the fabric since I first hung it, but you can find the original tutorial here. 

In the kitchen I've also been wanting to find a way to create something that ties in with the dining room shade, that would hide the two contemporary glass fixtures over the island. 

I decided I'd just try to make some smaller versions of the large shade. Here's how I did it:

Last year I picked up quite a bit of this old wire garden edging for free during a nearby city's annual spring clean-up. 
For these smaller shades I took two-section pieces and basically folded it in half, and used needle nose pliers to attach them together. Then I simply started shaping the "frame" by gently bending the pieces into the shape I wanted (bottom right photo). 

I forgot to photo the fabric part, but I cut some scraps of vintage feed sack to the height I needed to cover the glass shade. I just added spots of hot glue on the inside of the shade to hold the fabric in place. It is very much NOT perfect. The fabric is really old and frayed and has spots that are there to stay, but it's just the look I was going for! 

Terrible photo, but as you can see, I found some old rusty wire in my 'stuff' and formed it into a loop around the top of the fixture. It needs to be small enough to stay firmly in place by resting on top of the existing light. 

Oh, I almost forgot to tell you- I had originally planned to use the long straight pieces of the fencing that would go into the ground, to bend into the top supports. But when I tried to bend them the way I wanted, they snapped right off. So, on to plan "B".... 

I cut two more pieces of wire for each shade, and I think the photo speaks for itself. This is very primitive, I know. Let's not forget the Creating a Life m.o.- I always try to come up with a way to make what I want using stuff I already have, and I don't want to spend any money! Besides, these lights are high enough that you can't see this part. 

I'm happy with the way they blend with the dining room shade. 

Now, what can I do about that ceiling fan........  : )

Cute, rustic, one-of-a-kind and FREE- yay! Haha

Thanks so much for coming by to see what I've been working on, friends. Have a wonderful mid-May week!

Jeanette


Joining these great parties this week-
Share Your Creativity at It's Overflowing
Fabulously Creative Friday at Jennifer Rizzo
Fridays Unfolded at Nancherrow
Treasure Hunt Thursday at From My Front Porch to Yours
Share Your Cup Thursday at Have a Daily Cup of Mrs.Olson
Wow Us Wednesdays at Savvy Southern Style
What's It Wednesday at Ivy and Elephants
Knick of Time Tuesday
Nifty Thrifty Tuesday at Coastal Charm Knick of Time Tuesday
The Scoop at Worthing Court
Tweak It Tuesday at Cozy Little House
Metamorphosis Monday at Between Naps on the Porch
Inspire Me Tuesday at A Stroll Thru Life
Sundays at Home at Thoughts From Alice
Party Junk at Funky Junk Interiors
Junkin' Joe at The Cottage Market
Home Sweet Home at The Charm of Home
Feathered Nest Friday at French Country Cottage