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| Image from IMAX Home Set of 3 Pendant lights for a mere $149.35 |
I wanted pendant lights for my kitchen, like the ones above. I needed them to shine down brightly on my food prep areas. I wanted them to be very cute. But I needed them to be cheap.
I want, I want, I need, I need.
Keith once again came through by repurposing not only a few blue canning jars, but a pressure washer as well. I know. Who'd have thunk?
When we searched Pinterest and the rest of the net for ideas, we found tons of pendant light kits ranging from $15 to $60 each, and many included only the wiring and socket., no bulb, no jar, no additional wiring. Complete lights like the ones above were ridiculous in pricing, $149.50 as an example. So Keith inspected his hoard of shop stuff and found old (but still of this century, we think) pressure washer wiring, and sockets some other farmer guy threw in for no cost when we bought supplies from him a decade ago (the details-as always- are sketchy). I added the canning rings, canning lids and blue Ball canning jars I am partial to.
Once he completed the wiring to the sockets, he cut a whole in the canning lid to slip the socket through, then added the metal canning ring. I spray painted all the bits and bobs a glossy black to match the wiring.
At the advice of our son, we bought the LED bulbs to keep the heat low within the jars. We chose the white bulbs (as opposed to yellow) at 500 lumen strength which is roughly equivalent to 60 Watts of a standard bulb. These bulbs were the most expensive item of the whole project at $15 for two, but they are projected to burn for 15,000 hrs. Unlikely that even I will continue to burn brightly for that long.
To attach to the ceiling we used metal boxes $1.50 each, already on hand. The wiring to the boxes had already been paid for with the initial wiring of the Grain Bin House done last year.
Thus, total additional cost was just the bulbs or about $7.50 for each complete pendant light. Yes, even the spray paint was a leftover can.
I love them!
And the man who installed them.
Love love love them, ill let you have Keith all to yourself. :)
ReplyDeleteIts all looking so fab.
Of course I only show you what is done and does look fab. You should see the wild array of stuff under our stairs still to be sorted out.
DeleteClever thinking. Looks great and the price is perfect! ;)
ReplyDeleteWe had some leftover light sockets. Don't tell our kids but they are getting them, yes just the sockets, for Christmas.
DeleteFabulous, and he's even got them all hanging at the same height. I think you could start a very profitable business here (if you could find another 1000 jars).
ReplyDeleteThe height thing was easy. he does all the work while I stand around going "up, no down, now up a bit, now down a little more"
DeleteThey are fantastic, well done.
ReplyDeleteI'll tell Keith. Thanks
Deletethey look fabulous
ReplyDeleteAgain, I'll pass on the word to my contractor.
DeleteThey look incredible !
ReplyDeleteI actually like yours much better than the ones for sale, and the Mason jars give the perfect color and ambiance. What's the next project :)
~Jo
A couple windows to trim, some rooms to add floor boards to and then finishing the pantry. It's always something, Gilda.
DeleteThose are just beautiful. Seriously, they are wonderful and add the perfect touch to the kitchen. Dang, I'm imagining places to do something like that at the farm when we (someday) redo the kitchen. I'm not sure the size, but you know that Ball came out with those special edition jars in colors, you could change them for various holidays or events. Just a random thought.
ReplyDeleteTell hubby AMAZING!
Like that holiday Idea! And I sure will tell Keith.
DeleteJust perfect! In 2010 I found bits of an old set of a pendant chandelier. I kept the lights and like you found old wire, lid of a popcorn tin, extra spray paint, etc and fashioned my own pendant fixture for the dining room. You and Keith are brilliant with 'found objects'. You'll enjoy those lights this dark winter.
ReplyDeletePictures! I need pictures! Or a link to pictures. A drawing maybe?
DeleteI love making beautiful things out of 'found' items!! And yours are the best. Those blue jars are very hard to find in Canada - at least on the Wet Coast of BC - but I have LEDs. Did someone say 'Road Trip'???
ReplyDeleteI have always wanted to go to Canada for LED bulbs...some day Sharon, some day
DeleteI recall seeing a similar project done on a TV show where people go to flea markets with a list of projects and then need to create/repurpose items purchased. It was a great project there and especially in your home.
ReplyDeleteI think I remember that show! Can't remember the name of it though. Maybe I can find it on Netflix. Or Youtube . Cursed Internet.
Delete