Monday, September 14, 2009

My inexpensive bare bulb solution

Do you ever see a designer organized closet and find yourself drooling? The organization and space just make everything look so gorgeous; nothing at all like my own closet.

My closet is technically a walk-in but more like a lean-in because of all the junk in it. *sigh*
Lighting up my closet is a bare bulb - not exactly what I would call stylish. I came up with an idea for a light fixture involving a candleholder and some sequin trim (see here) but it was just too small and too plastic and too near a hot bulb for it to work. Not to mention I couldn't hang it because I couldn't get a hook to stay in my ceiling. Then I saw this link on One Pretty Thing (so many thanks to Rachel!) and it was like...well...a lightbulb went off...a prettily decorated lightbulb.

I went shopping in my craft room for a wreath form and didn't have one. I snagged this top of a lampshade instead.




Why do I keep stuff like this? For moments like this apparently! This worked out to be even better because I don't need to hang it - it rests on the top of the bulb!

It was silver and still has glue residue left from the lampshade fabric stuck all over it but I spray painted it white and way up there hanging from the ceiling you won't be able to see the lumps anyway.

Next came the other ingredients with one extra since I was desirous of some sparkle. Unwaxed dental floss (so the stickers will stick), round price stickers (got mine at the dollar store) and clear, faceted acrylic beads - the kind you can buy in a huge bag of a million for just a couple of dollars.


I pre-cut all my pieces of floss using a pair of scissors rather than the built in cutter and then I ironed my floss with the iron set on low heat. If ironing dental floss doesn't get you some strange looks from the family I don't know what will.

Starting at the bottom of the floss I applied the two stickers, then strung on a bead.

When I placed my next two stickers I strung on another bead. Each pair of stickers above the next will hold the bead in place.

The flour jar held it nicely while I was working. :)

With three "sections" to the shade top wire I think I made nine strands of stickers and beads. Originally I planned for six but it was just too bare looking so I added extras until it looked full enough. I went through nearly two packages of 180 count stickers.

Suspended from my lightbulb it looks like a sparkling chandelier - I love it!



With the flash on you can see I've tried to make other improvements to my closet. I hung fabric on the ceiling as a nod to Inara's shuttle (Firefly fans should know what I'm talking about - and might get a kick out of that fruity oaty bar box in the background too) - a space filled with sparkling drapey fabric.


You can see I also glued a decorative trim to the ugly wood edge showing on my oh-so-chic plywood shelf.


If I didn't have nearly every shelf in my closet crammed full of books I'd probably have room for those old hats, office supplies and childhood memorabilia and my closet might not look like it belongs to a teenager. Looking at these photos is really motivating me to make some big changes, but for now I'm one step closer to a lovely, organized space and I didn't break the bank doing it.
Check out all the other cheap turned fabulous projects over at Reinvented's Trash to Treasure Tuesday.
And when you're done there be sure to visit the ideas at Poppies at Play. STILL looking for great ideas? Check out DIY Day at A Soft Place to Land.

26 comments:

Maggi said...

Holy crap, this is the best idea ever! I've got to remember this one! And I had that exact same Strawberry Shortcake lunchbox! lol

I miss Firefly...*sigh*...

Lisa Nelsen-Woods said...

That's brillant! Definately prettier than a bare bulb.

Creations by Marie Antoinette and Edie Marie said...

Very Clever my dear,Love it.XXOO Marie Antionette.PS Do drop by,i'm having a givaway

Anonymous said...

Wow, that is just brilliant! I love how it turned out!

shari said...

oh, one should always give a nod to Inara's shuttle!! i miss firefly, too. beautiful bohemian closet, molly...well done!

~Lavender Dreamer~ said...

WOW! That works really well! Great idea!

Rachel@oneprettything.com said...

Wow, this is gorgeous! It makes me want to move in to your closet! And watch Firefly! =) I'll be linking to this.

Angie Mae said...

Wow! You are really creative. I love the lamp!

Stella Dora von Swineburg said...

Wow, that's real pretty! Your closet is nice!

Unknown said...

What a fun idea! Thanks for sharing!

girl meets carpenter said...

I love your blog! So many great ideas!

Personalized Sketches and Sentiments said...

what a perfect idea! ...well-dressed bulb in the closet too :o)

Blessings & Aloha!

Brittany said...

What a great idea!
My closet is desperate for a makeover.
It is so sad, and cram packed full of beautiful clothes that get wrinkled as soon as they are jammed in there.

I swoon over the closet remodels at the Container Store. Seriously... SWOON!

Thanks for stopping by my blog today! Sorry I have been so out of touch. I'm hoping things will settle down over the next couple of weeks. I've missed you!

Brittany said...

this turned out great!! so creative.

i'm having a goodwill party today & every Wednesday, stop by and link up!

Andy Porter said...

You are such the clever girl!! I love that idea! It turned out so good! Thanks for the link!!
~Andy@ P@P

Unknown said...

Wow. wow. wow. How DID you think of that? My goodness, I like how your mind works, girl.

Jane said...

Awesome jewels! Tho after going to your etsy store I am not surprised. That looks too pretty to be sequestered in the closet. But, I am sure it's a nice boost when you go in there.

Embellished Bayou said...

What a great way to dress up an otherwise boring & utilitarian space, great job!

michelle@somedaycrafts said...

Gorgeous! I LOVE IT!!! Seriously. I don't think that belongs in a closet. It belongs somewhere where everyone can it!

Britt said...

What a great idea! It looks amazing, and I love that you used stickers to keep the beads on - I never would have thought of that!

Dusa said...

Woot! A Firefly shout-out!! And nicely executed!!

maggiegracecreates said...

Love this idea - I am making a paper butterfly mobile and this is just the adaptation including the beads that I was looking for. Cool.

Let it Shine said...

SO cute and genius! Great job!

Alyshia

Miss Mustard Seed said...

Very cute idea! It looks very chic. I'm signing up to follow your blog and I hope you come check out mine!

--Arnnette said...

ooh I like. Stopped in from Reinvented I love your Etsy creations especially the layered lucite lavender and green flower earrings:)
Your closet inspires!

Andrea said...

Great idea! I may have to try this. I'm converting my unfinished basement into a hookah lounge, and i need a solution for an ugly bare bulb. LOVE the nod to Inara - thats what i'm doing in the lounge. Fabric was a less expensive solution than drywall and drop ceiling!