How to make a "Chandelabra"

While planning my master bath redo, I knew I wanted a chandelier over my bathtub. The ceiling over the tub wasn't wired for electricity, though, and I didn't want to have to tackle the task of pulling wires myself (or hiring someone to do it for me). Soooo, I decided a "chandelabra" was the way to go (oh, and for those of you that are wondering...it's a fancy name for a chandelier that holds candles...I'm just fancy like that {eyeroll}).

I looked and looked...and looked for the perfect chandelabra, but I couldn't find anything for a reasonable price (I've seen like 5 since, but oh well...). It was when I spotted this baby in the corner of a garage at an estate sale that those gears in my little brain started spinning.

Of course! Why couldn't a regular chandelier be used as a chandelbra? And it was only $16...yes, that's right $16... so I couldn't pass it up.

I removed the metal plate from the top of the chain, and then gave her a coat of black spray paint, and popped short white taper candles in.

She needed a little something extra though (have you noticed how everything in my house seems to be a "she"?), so I bought some "crystals" on Ebay (I'm pretty sure they're plastic, but shhhh....don't tell anyone). I would give you the seller's name, but this was a one time deal for her so it wouldn't be helpful to you. There are plenty on there though.

I also sewed a cover for the chain (which was important since I wound the wires down through the chain and they needed to be concealed). I made the cover in the easiest, simplest, even-a- caveman-could-do-it kind of way.

Step 1: I simply held some fabric up to the chain making a little pocket around the chain. I held it so it was tight enough that it wouldn't slide down, but loose enough that it would comfortably bunch up (I totally eyeballed this), and then I made a little mark on each side of the fabric where the seam should go.

Step 2: I cut a strip of fabric, leaving maybe 1/2 inch on each side of where the seam would be. I also made the cover longer than the actual chain (maybe 1/3 longer?) so it would bunch up a little...can you tell how completely unscientific this process was?

Step 3: I folded the fabric lengthwise and pinned along where the seam would go. I then hand stitched along that line (don't worry, it didn't take more than 10-15 minutes). Oh, and I didn't even hem the top and bottom....seriously, once they're tucked under who's going to notice?

Step 4: I slid it over the chain...and laughed at how surprisingly good it looked despite my haphazard cavewoman approach :-).

I then hung my dolled up chandelabra from the ceiling with one of these handy dandy ceiling anchor swivel hooks (except mine was black). Worked like a dream.

Have a great weekend!

~ AnNicole