This post provides inspiration for a DIY Raindrop Chandelier. HOWEVER, this project started with an existing chandelier. I took an outdated wrought iron chandelier, removed some parts and flipped it upside down.
Raindrop Chandeliers on the Market
This beauty from Lamps Plus caught my eye. As of the writing of this post it retails for $800. That’s not horrible for such a gorgeous chandelier. But I do tend to feel guilty about being an over consumer sometimes.
Whenever possible. I try to pull back and ask, “is there a way I can create a dupe?” I love upcycling! I like the challenge it presents plus I feel it’s responsible and smart.
The Starting Point for My DIY Raindrop Chandelier
This chandelier below was a perfect candidate for an update. Not only did the wrought iron need to go. The style was not working for me.
Raindrop Chandelier Crystals
It’s sort of hard to tell from the inspiration chandelier if those crystals are all the same size. However, after looking at many photos of raindrop chandeliers, I decided I preferred “raindrops” of varying sizes.
When searching for chandelier crystals, I found they come in ALL SORTS of mm sizes. There are plastic versions and glass versions. Then there are lots of ways to consider when connecting the crystals.
I researched crystals off and on for a few days. Then I put the whole project on hold because it was just too overwhelming. The idea of buying the one at Lamps Plus was looking better and better.
A Crystal Breakthrough
A couple weeks later, I was in my favorite store: Hobby Lobby. I was not looking for a chandelier solution. I was taking in information by strolling the aisles. I do this a lot!
Then I spotted these beautiful, faceted crystal strands (aka garlands) in the wedding aisle. I really liked that the crystals were different sizes! These are from Hobby Lobby’s Studio His & Hers line.
Ideas fluttered in. What if I could figure out a way to wire these garlands to my chandelier? I immediately purchased a couple of sets so I could conduct tests. (This photo is just a small portion and does not represent the entire 5’ crystal garland.)
These don’t look like much on the website. So I was glad to have seen them in the store. Each little “branch” has (5) clear faceted crystals that have been wired to a main thicker wire that is 5’ long. The largest faceted crystal is 1” long. The next size down is 3/4”. Then there are (2) 5/8” crystals. Then (1) 1/2” crystal.
Testing Begins on my DIY Raindrop Chandelier!
I quickly took down the chandelier and ceiling medallion. I started to try and make things work. Then I realized I could take parts off the chandelier. I know this won’t be the case for everyone. But look at what you have and just see what’s possible.
Since I never dreamed I would be writing to give inspiration and explain DIYs, I’m sorry I don’t have pictures of this “process”. However, in this photo, I have traced the top part in blue to show what I was able to remove. It was simply attached to the main chandelier with a couple of screws on both sides.
I Flipped My Old Chandelier Upside Down
In the photo above you can see the chains that held the chandelier were attached at the top. However, since I was removing that top piece. (marked in blue) I needed a new way to attach the hanging chains. And I needed to reattach the electrical wires.
That’s when I decided to FLIP the entire chandelier upside down. The bulbs are now facing downward (very much like the inspo version from Lamps Plus). And you can see below the new location of the chains. But before proceeding, I tested this to be sure the chandelier would still hang straight. It did!
Testing Continues on My DIY Raindrop Chandelier
Now without that top piece of wrought iron, the new shape of this raindrop chandelier was better suited for what I wanted to achieve. My next test was trying to decide how best to attach the crystal garlands. I also needed to calculate how many garlands I would need.
I found that I could follow the curves of the chandelier and attach the garlands with some bright gold jewelry wire that I already had.
And I decided that folding the garlands in half would allow me to get the look I wanted without becoming too “messy”. And I could cut some additional garlands to give me “dangling” pieces throughout the design.
In the end, it took (15) garlands to create this look. If you watch the Hobby Lobby weekly ads, they will often have what you want on sale every other week.
I got lucky that the crystal garlands were 50% off that week. And free shipping! I made this raindrop chandelier in August of 2022. It only cost me $89 because I already had gold spray paint and the other materials.
Other Details for My DIY Raindrop Chandelier
I rewired the electrical for the chandelier and spray painted both the chandelier and ceiling medallion – gold. And now that it was flipped upside down, I had two big holes that needed to be covered up. As seen in the next photo.
I looked through my stash and found these big flat metal washers were the right size. I covered them with bright gold washi tape that I already had. The tape was the same color as the tape that holds the crystal garlands together.
The second photo below is the backside of one of the washers that I covered with washi tape. The third photo below shows how I camouflaged the gold washers with a piece from the garlands.
Bringing It All Together for My New Raindrop Chandelier
Originally, there was nothing in the center of this open oval. But I folded (12) of the crystal garlands in half. Then I brought the center of each folded garland to the middle of the oval. And I used one clear zip tie to attach the middle of all (12) garlands together. So, in the photo below, the center is the intersection where all the strands were zip tied together.
Then I was able to evenly distribute garlands toward each of the (6) chandelier arms.
Now with the mass of crystal garlands all attached to each other, I made sure the mass was centered in the oval. Then I used gold jewelry wire to start attaching the strands to the curves of the chandelier. I also loosely wound some of the garlands around the chandelier frame. Shown in the 2 photos below.
Finishing Touches
I took the remaining (3) crystal garlands and cut them into varying lengths. The longest pieces were 15” and the shortest were about 10”. I cut them wherever it made the most sense so I wouldn’t lose any of the little “branches”
I reinstalled my new raindrop chandelier. Then simply took the cut pieces and bent the tops into what looks like a J-hook. I distributed these hanging pieces throughout. Here’s a closeup of what I mean.
Here’s another look at my finished raindrop chandelier! This was a great way to upcycle an existing chandelier and it’s not far from the inspo version.
Materials Used
(15) Faceted crystal bead garlands (acrylic)
Gold Jewelry Wire
Gold Washi Tape
Gold Spray Paint
(2) 2″ Metal Washers
Take Away
Sometimes the solution will not be obvious right away. It might be necessary to walk away for a while. Even sleep on it for a few days. Your mind knows what you’re trying to do.
If you remain open, optimistic, and confident that you WILL solve your décor issue, then the right answer will eventually emerge.
Here’s to finding another way and Making it Fabulous!
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