Shabby Chic Chandelier Tutorial

A sweet Bella friend, Robin asked me to share this chandelier I did in an E-Workshop a while back. This is another timeless project, with so many possibilities!! Follow along and think about what you would add to this chandelier...

Not only is this piece fun to display, it's also a great way to show a collection. A group of photos, birthday cards, childhood memorabilia, love letters...you name it! This chandelier is filled with a variety of vintage treasures.

Here's what you will need:

Lampshade (check your attic...maybe there is one there!)
20 or so clips
8-10 ft. ribbon for hanging
Scissors
Various items for hanging....paper or otherwise

This lampshade from a department discount store has the components I was looking for in a lampshade...6 prongs, and a bell shape.

All of what you see above needs to be removed though, all the way down to the wire base. The top and bottom taupe fabric stabilizer pieces were left in place. After the slicing and cutting the fabric looked shabby and "worn"...which I love.

Use a variety of clips if you like. Mini clothes pins, big safety pins and loose leaf rings are some of my favorites. Snips of ribbon or fabric strips would also be pretty.

Turn your lamp shade upside down and begin attaching your tags, letters, photos, envelopes, postcards, flashcards and the like to the lamp shade.

Once you've added pieces all around the shade's rim, start adding a few detailed shapes, or embellishments to create layers or depth...

Here's another angle:

And another angle:

Cut 3 strips of 2 - 3 ft. of ribbon and double knot them to the rim, making sure they are evenly spaced. Take the other ends of those 3 strips of ribbon and knot them together for hanging.

If you like, add something to the bottom rim. I added this metal heart, but anything would be great showcased in that one spot. A large chandelier bob, a flower, a tassel, a handful of ribbon, etc.