How to Make a Wood Bead Chandelier

Time needed: 4 hours

It took me about 4 hours to make my wood bead chandelier. It may take you more or less time depending on how many strands of beads you choose to use.

1. Remove the outer hoops.

   You will be working with the 3-inch and 10-inch quilting hoops first. Remove the outer hoops–for now, you will work only with the inner hoops.

2. Prepare your thread.

   Thread your quilting needle with quilting thread, being sure to double up and knot it at the end. Then loop the thread over the 3-inch quilting hoop.
   

3. String your beads.

   String your beads onto the thread. The pattern is 10 small beads followed by 1 medium bead/1 small bead x 12. Finish each row with a medium bead, so that you have a total of 13 medium beads.
   

4. Tie the end of the thread onto the 10-inch quilting hoop.

   After you finish beading your strand, tie the end of the strand to the 10-inch quilting hoop with a double or triple knot. BE SURE NOT TO ALLOW YOUR STRANDS OF BEADS TO CROSS OVER EACH OTHER (I learned that lesson the hard way).
   

5. Repeat until you have added all the strands you would like.

   Repeat until the top of your DIY chandelier is as full as you like. Then cut away excess thread. This is what your DIY chandelier will look like at this stage.
   

6. Prepare another 3-inch hoop for the bottom of your chandelier.

   Grab your second 3-inch hoop and remove the outer hoop. Thread your quilting needle with quilting thread, being sure to double up and knot it at the end. Loop the thread over the 3-inch quilting hoop, just as you did before.

7. String your beads.

   String the beads onto your thread using the following pattern: 1 small, 1 large. Repeat the pattern for a total of 5 times.

8. Tie the end of the strand to the 10-inch hoop.

   Tie the end of your strand to the same 10-inch quilting hoop with a double or triple knot. The 10-inch hoop will sit above the 3-inch hoop you are working with, which will serve as the bottom of the chandelier. AGAIN, BE SURE NOT TO ALLOW YOUR STRANDS TO CROSS OVER EACH OTHER. Below is a photo of how your DIY chandelier at this stage–bear in mind that you are working with it upside down at this point. Repeat until you have added as many strands as you like.
   

9. Secure your knots.

   Add a drop of super glue to each knot. This will help ensure that your knots do not come loose.
   

10. Glue the outer hoops over the inner hoops.

    Grab your OUTER hoops and paint some wood glue along the inside of each one. Then, secure them in place over the inner loops, tightening them into place.
    

11. Remove the hoop hardware.

    After your wood glue has dried, remove the screw from each of the outer hoops. Then use cutting snips to remove the part of the hardware that sticks out. You can see in the photo below where we had snipped one piece off already. It will leave a little gap, but that is not an issue since it is glued.
    

12. Attach your pendant light kit.

    Use a small drill bit to drill two very small vertical holes along each side of the TOP hoop.
    
    Run a wire through one hole and circle the wire around the cord of the pendant light. Then thread the wire through the opposite hole. These create your hangers to hold the fixture to the pendant light.
    
    Wrap electrical tape below the circle of wire around your cord–this will ensure that the light does not slip down and the lightbulb stays where you want it. I covered my black electrical tape with some gold washi tape to make it less noticeable. Be sure also to secure the ends of your wire by wrapping them. This is what the top of your DIY chandelier will look like when you look down into it.
    

13. Hang your light.

    Follow the instructions in your pendant light kit to wire and attach your light fixture in place.