Seeing the Light in Thrift Store Items

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.

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.

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.

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!

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.

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!

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!