Creating A Life Studio: chandelier crystals

Tuesday, January 21, 2014

Vintage Chandelier Help?

About 7 years ago {when I was still married and working on sprucing up our family's home} I really wanted a chandelier for the master bedroom.

One day while puttering around one of my favorite thrift stores, I spotted a vintage brass chandelier on the floor amidst some other 'junk'. It was missing its crystals, but it was so pretty and the smaller scale I was looking for. I just knew it had potential.

The price was very reasonable-I believe they were asking around $30.00-but I got it for $20.00. I took it home, ordered some inexpensive replacement crystals online and my husband hung it in our bedroom. I decided after it was up that I really wanted it to have a distressed white finish, so yes, I stood on the bed and painted and wiped and painted some more until it had just the look I wanted. I loved it!

When I decided to move from that home during our separation, I really wanted to take my chandelier, but for reasons too long and boring to share, it just couldn't happen. This isn't a sob story. In the scheme of things, we are just talking about a thrift store light fixture, right?
But I was a little sad that I had to let it go. And my grandmother's bench. And a darling vintage buffet. But I digress : )

Guess what? This Christmas, my brother gave me another vintage chandelier!

It needs the candlestick sleeves, but most of the original crystals are with it.

Here's the "help" part-
It got broken on our way home from California. Ghaa!

When we left southern California on Wednesday I had it wrapped in a blanket on the back seat of my van. We stopped overnight in Cedar City, Utah where the temps were well below freezing. Thursday morning, as we were loading up for the second leg of our drive home to Colorado, my six year old son forgot what was under the blanket, and fell on top of it.

When we got home, I unwrapped the blanket and this is what I found.

One decorative arm and one wired arm were broken off.

{Sigh}

I'm speculating that the freezing temps in the van overnight caused the metal to be extra brittle and snapped when he put his weight on it.

So what do you think guys, can you help me?

I can't spend a lot of money on this, so I'm sure hoping there is some way to glue the pieces back on. If you have ever repaired anything similar to this, or had to glue metal together, I would LOVE it if you would share your experience or give me your best advise for how to approach this repair!

This is one that's hanging in my brother's vintage craftsman home and what mine will look like when she's put back together : )

I'll be back soon with a fun tour of a darling shop near my home town!

Jeanette

Sharing this week over at

The Scoop at StoneGable
Knick of Time Tuesday
Nifty Thrifty Tuesday at Coastal Charm
Tweak it Tuesday at Cozy Little House
Inspire Me Tuesday at A Stroll Thru Life
What's It Wednesday at Ivy and Elephants
Wow Us Wednesdays at Savvy Southern Style
Share Your Cup Thursday at Have a Daily Cup of Mrs. Olson
Feathered Nest Friday at French Country Cottage

Tuesday, October 29, 2013

A Nature Inspired Welcome-The Fall Foyer {Pt.1}

It was a breezy, warm and gorgeous Autumn day here in Colorado yesterday. It was nearly 70 degrees and the sky was the most beautiful blue and the leaves just swirled through the neighborhood all day. Perfection!

When I woke up this morning it was snowing.

I learned a saying when I moved to Colorado nearly 20 years ago, and it has proven to be so very true.

"If you don't like the weather in Colorado, wait 5 minutes and it'll change."

Yes, indeed.

Recently, I shared our Simple Fall Porch with you.

Today I'd like to invite you to step inside to get warmed up with me!

With some simple {I do like that word} nature-inspired items, I've cozied up the foyer and stairway that immediately greet you upon entering our home.

You may want to grab your coffee or tea and get comfortable. I have a lot of photos today.

Come on in!

The main level of our home is fairly small, but I love that the foyer ceiling extends up to the second floor. The upper window adds so much light and the high ceiling gives a sense of much more space than there really is.

In my last post, I showed you this coat rack I made from part of an old crib panel and some vintage date nails.

Hanging right inside the door, it's the perfect spot for all the scarves and jackets you just might {or might not!} need at this time of year.

This chicken wire bin is never really empty. It's usually full of the books that are ready to be returned to the library, mail, and things I want to remember to return to someone as I'm heading out the door!

This old dresser has been all over the house, but here in the entryway for some time now. It still mostly holds my daughter's artwork and supplies.

I have always loved bringing branches, pine cones and other items from nature into our home as seasonal décor.

But I do also love a bit of sparkle!

This iron candle sconce was a thrift store find last Spring. I decided it was ready for a little dressing up. I glued rings to the underside of it and added some chandelier crystals. The rings still need to be antiqued to match the iron. It's on "my list".

I hung the iron sconce on an old window that's backed with pieces of a vintage feed sack.

I love mixing rustic items with a little tarnished silver and some sparkle. Throw in some fall leaves and a pine cone or two- perfect.

I shared this photo of my silver tray over on my Facebook page last night. I am not ready to say farewell to October! Sigh..

I am known for misplacing my keys. Often. I'm going to try hard to just keep laying them on the pretty tray so they're easy to spot : )

This darling little candle snuffer was a birthday gift from my daughter.

These brown jugs (thank you, son-in-law) became fall-ish looking containers by simply gluing the pine cone card and the sweet bird print from The Graphics Fairy to the front of them, and adding a fall branch.

I really wanted some white pumpkins this year, but I haven't managed it yet.

I don't remember what sort of squash the little one on the silver container is, but it was the only one of it's kind at the grocery store. My son thought it was so cute, we just "had to" bring it home, right?

It's sort of bumpy with lots of imperfections. That's probably why we like it so much.

You can see the full kitchen tour HERE

As you enter our home, the kitchen is to the left, the stairs are directly ahead and in between is a small, sort of vestibule-type area.

In this area is a large pine armoire that is one of my favorite pieces.

Like most of my pieces, this has served many purposes over the years-including holding linens, being filled with books and now, mostly holding shop items for The Penny and the Pearl.

I made this large wooden sign for a friend's wedding reception this summer. I thought I would sell it, but here it still sits. Another thing on "my list"...

On top of the armoire, little vintage glasses with faux boxwood balls, glass insulators and vintage bottle with a nest topper. Tied to the old farmhouse tool chest, one of my handmade book page tags.