Making a Rice Paper Chandelier
Making a round chandelier from rice paper is an affordable way to add simplicity to a décor. The lightness of the rice paper creates a radiance that is low in maintenance. Chandeliers are often hung over a dining room table or in a foyer, setting the tone of the room. Placed in the foyer it offers a transition from the outside to the inside and in the dining room offers a focal point over the dining room table.
1. Wrap the wire around an inflatable object like a balloon or punching ball. Start at the bottom and creating a spiral as you work your way to the top. Pop the balloon and discard or let the air out of the punching ball and remove.
2. Create a top base by folding part of the leftover wire in a ninety degree angle and securing by looping over the edge a couple of times. Repeat the process to on the opposite side. The base will allow the bulb to face down instead of up.
3. Use the wire cutters to cut off any excess wire.
4. Cover the wire frame with the rice paper by bringing the paper along the curve and cut off any excess paper so the ends overlap about one half inch. Secure edges together by applying glue on the back of the top paper and pressing down. (See Reference 2)
5. Finish applying the rice paper by creating a crease line as it nears the top of the chandelier. Cut along the crease so the rice paper will lie flat, leaving about a half inch of overlap. Secure with glue. Repeat the process to the other side, and then to the bottom. Allow the glue dry.
6. Attach a hanging pendant light kit to the chandelier by inserting the cord through the base of the lamp shade and pull it through until it fits snugly against the ninety degree angles of the base. The light fixture should point down. (See Reference 3)
7. Hang the chandelier from a hook on the ceiling and loop the extra cord on a second hook by the outlet. Be sure there is enough cord left over to plug into the outlet.
8. Screw in the bulb and plug in.
