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DIY & Crafts

Seeing the Light in Thrift Store Items


Pendant DIY Lamp

Like I mentioned it last week’s post about my garland fabric lights, I’ve been busy setting up my new home office area. After getting my work area organized, I knew I needed extra lighting for this corner of the room.  I knew I would be using this space for various projects that require an eye for detail, so I really needed a good lighting source.  I had already spent money on my desk and some other items, and I was hoping I could make use of something I already had around the house.  I shopped the house of lamps, but nothing really worked because of the slope of the ceiling in this corner.  I had almost given up hope when I remembered this object I had picked up from the local Salvation Army Resale Store.

Pendant Lamp Before Picture

What is it?  I really don’t know!  I’ve asked several people, but no one can tell me what it is supposed to be.  If you know what it is, please tell me!  Anyway, the thrift store was having a 50% off sale and I happened to spot this on my way out. I thought it looked cool and debated what I could use it for.  I considered putting a top on it to create a small side table, but after looking at it upside down I decided I could try turning it into a pendant light.  I decided to purchase it at a whopping price of $2.50.  Once I remembered this, I grabbed it, the extra pendant lamp kit I already had on hand, and my husband, and we got to work turning it into my new pendant light for my workspace.

We started out by spray painting the wire base with a metallic silver paint color.

Painted Pendant Lamp

While I was spray painting it, my husband drilled a hole in the center of the center tin piece for the lamp cord to filter through.

Drill Hole for DIY Pendant Lamp

My husband primed and spray painted the tin piece white, then he got to work  rewiring the lamp kit.  He had to take it apart so the cord could fit through the hole, then rewire it. I am so thankful he knows how to do these things!

Once the cord was attached, we finished assembling the light fixture by sliding the tin piece and cord through the outside wired layer.  We used a hook mounted to the ceiling to hang the light, plugged it in, and we could finally see the light!

Pendant DIY Lamp

What do you think of my new DIY thrifted pendant light?  I’ll let you get a closer look before you make up your mind.

Pendant Lamp DIY

I’m so glad I was able to see the light and find a new use for this piece.  It provides just the amount of light I need to get my projects done, and I love that it’s one of a kind!

DIY Pendant Lamp

Thrifting can be so much fun if you use your imagination to create a new life for old items.  Remember to not judge an item by its current condition and/or use, but judge it by its potential.  Imagine what you could use it for that would be unique and special to you.  What is the coolest transformation you’ve given an item purchased at a thrift store or yard sale?  Leave a comment below and share it with me!

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7 Comments

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Comments

  1. jessbures says

    October 23, 2014 at 21:45

    OMG I LOVE IT! Here is my guess on what it was…the metal part was part of a vase that might have had a glass center to it, it broke and the previous owners decided to make a new vase with tin HAHAHAHA. Or it was a fruit basket that they added tin too. Either way, what you did with it makes perfect sense and from now on it will be known as a light fixture! It is beautiful and creative! I own a craft store and this is the kind of stuff we do all of the time. We love thrifiting, yard sales, estate auctions and FLEA MARKETS. I seriously dream about doing a cross country trip and just stopping at random flea markets along the way. Yes, big dreams RIGHT!? lol. I am pinning this awesome project on some group boards and I am adding you on social media channels so we can stay in touch! I love your brilliant mind right now!
    Jess

    Reply
    • Christie Selken says

      October 23, 2014 at 22:02

      First of all, I am loving your guess of the original use for this item. Ha! I’ve been afraid someone will tell me it’s a urinal or something…LOL! Like you, I love thrift stores, yard sales and flea markets. It’s so much fun getting a great deal on something and making something new out of it, right? Thanks so much for pinning this, and I’m glad you’ve added me to your social media channels. I look forward to staying in touch!
      Christie

      Reply
  2. Carriethishome.com (@Carriethishome) says

    October 28, 2014 at 21:05

    This is the perfect way to add some warm light to your cute office! Thanks so much for sharing this at the Frugal Crafty Home Blog Hop!

    Reply
    • Christie Selken says

      October 28, 2014 at 21:28

      Thanks, Carrie. I had so much fun checking out everyone else’s projects at the Blog Hop. Thanks for hosting!

      Reply
  3. Bobbi - 3GLOL says

    November 2, 2014 at 19:32

    I’m guessing it was a vase cover too 😉 Love it as a light better! Great job 🙂

    Thanks so much for linking up to Teach Me Tuesday last week. You are very much appreciated. Starting this week, we will no longer be visiting you, instead we will be pinning each and every link. We want to give you more exposure! Hope to see you again this week!!

    Reply
  4. Liz Warner says

    April 6, 2018 at 21:22

    Loving your hanging lamp. I would love to find something similar for my work area.

    Reply

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  1. DIY Project Features Junkin Joe Linky Party - The Cottage Market says:
    October 31, 2014 at 03:44

    […] Christine at Sparkles of Sunshine as she shows us how to see the light in Thrift Store items!  The transformation is fabulous and […]

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Hi! I’m Christie...Jesus follower, wife, pet lover, avid crafter and DIY addict. I believe in spending time doing whatever brings sunshine into your life. Welcome to my blog where you will find inspirational tips for DIY projects, crafts, recipes, organizing, household tips and much more. Let’s create some sunshine for your life! Read More…

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