January 5, 2011

How to Add Chandelier Crystals to Anything (Part One)

Adding chandelier crystals to anything in your home or store turns something average into something dreamy and romantic. 



I am having a giveaway for this sweet little mosaic shoe, you can enter HERE


I am now in my 8th year of having an antiques booth and I have found that when I add a chandelier crystal to anything it sells.   

I have learned through trial and error how to attach crystals to items when there is no obvious place to attach them.

The best place I have found to purchase crystals is Freedom Crystals  or estate sales.
Lucky me a $5.00 find!

Starting with a plain glass candle holder, a little sparkle here would look great!


I use something called DOUBLE CUP CONNECTOR or LARGE BEAD TIP found in the jewelry making section of most craft stores.  I Have no idea why it has two names?
Here is a picture of the two connectors, they look the same to me?



I use E-6000 glue to attach the double cup connector/bead tip.


If you're like me, you don't read directions, why would you on glue, right.  To get the best bonding from E-6000 you need to follow the directions.  Apply a blob of glue to the glass candle holder and a speck to the connector and then you need to wait a couple of minutes before attaching.  We hate to wait!  


Here is your connectors attached, note how they are bent in half at their waist (If they had a waist)
Now, step away from the project.
Leave the connectors for a full 24 hours before you hang the crystals. 



Adding to a plain scroll


This time I left the connector flat and not bent at the waist.


Another option is to use Bails also found in jewelry making. 

I painted a sconce

Then stuck it upside down in a vase, if you turn your item upside down your bail or connector will stay right where you put it while it dries.

Attach the bail with E-6000

Wait 24 hours and hang the crystal


Whenever I hang crystals I have a renewed appreciation for any of you who make jewelry, GEEZ, you have way more patience than I do.  I get so crabby working with little hoops and rings.

Remember to read the E-6000 directions and do not hang the crystals for 24 hours

Stay tuned, my next post will be part 2 of attaching crystals.  Using a Dremel to drill a hole, jump rings, attaching with big rings, and more.

OHH, I bet I have you on the edge of your chair! LOL

Do you have a project in mind yet?

Carol


















33 comments:

Marsha @ Tattered Chick said...

No, no project in mind but I am definitely going to bookmark this one for when I see that perfect piece and go, it needs some bling!

Wonderful how-to! Thank you!!

Happy New Year!

xxoo

Debbiedoos said...

Everything looks a little brighter with some bling. Oh the other day you asked where is my computer, it is in that piece of furniture you see in the loft, well hidden.

Char said...

Carol, what a perfect post and you are so right, crystals make all the difference. I doubt now that anything in my home will be without crystals....my hubby better run!!!! Char

Susan said...

Oh my you do have patience!! What great ideas to add crystals to those items you chose!

Denise said...

Carol, I was so happy to see this post.Several years ago no one in our family wanted this huge bag of chadelier crystals,so I grabed them,being me.All my sisters laughed because the bag was so heavy,but they knew me, I have to have all the shimmer and glimmer I can find.They are difficult to work with because they are each so big and heavy.I will try your tech.If at my age I have any energy left in these tired bones.

Denise said...

Ps. I wish you could just come over and do it for me.I have a ton of things to hang them on.

Sissie's Shabby Cottage said...

Oh Carol, you clever girl you! I am heading to the craft store tomorrow for some of these thingees.
I have added crystals to candle holders and they sell right away, same goes for candlelabras and plain light fixtures. A little sparkle goes a long way.
Can't wait to see part 2. I'm learning so much hear and yes, I'm on the edge of my chair.

hugs
Sissie

Unknown said...

Carol that was a great bit of info!! Love the idea. I have a question way off the mark but you know mw I'll ask away! Hoe well do you think polyester lacey type curtains will bleach I purchased some while back thinking they would be lighter and it was too late to turn them back as they were a catalog order and I wanted cream or off white and they are antique gold, take a look if you want they hang behind my Christmas tree on a near recent post. When time to wash I want to bleach?? What do you think? Will it work?

Unknown said...

Awesome share, Carol ... TY I'd never have thought of this.

~ Pop over for our CSN Giveaway, if you haven't ~
Have a beautiful New Year ~
TTFN ~
Marydon

Unknown said...

Carol ~ TY for popping by.

TTFN means to me when I came up with it ~
Thank Thy Father Now

TTFN means Ta ta for now in England

I like my version best.

Have a beautiful eve. So love these prism ideas. TY for sharing.

TTFN~ Marydon

Linda @ Itsy Bits And Pieces said...

Lots of great ideas, Carol! Thanks for the tutorial!

Createology said...

Carol thank you so much for sharing your wonderful techniques for attaching crystals. I would never have thought of using these parts. Happy crystaling...

Tammy @BeatriceBanks said...

Wow! This was an awesome tutorial. Thanks for sharing!

Unknown said...

Carol, once again such useful information. I have a few items I can put crystals on. Thanks again for showing me how.

Betsy@My Salvaged Treasures said...

Thanks for this turorial Carol. I have all of these supplies already, but never thought of using a bail or bead tip for attaching the crystals. That E6000 is wonderful and very forgiving too. Love those crystals.
Happy New Year to you.

Debbie said...

Carol, you are RIGHT. It really does make all that stuff look just a little bit more feminine, and it really draws me to it.

I could do this with the glue, too.
Now, I still want to see you use the drill, but I'm so drill remedial that I would probably stick with glue.

Diann @ The thrifty Groove said...

Hi Carol!
As usual, you gave us a wonderful tutorial. I have been struggling with trying to figure out how to add a little bling here and there. I can't wait to see part 2! thank you!

BonjourRomance said...

Bonjour Carol,
What a good teacher you are. THank you for coming by to visit and enter Lynn's giveaway. She does have a fantastic blog.
Your mosaic shoes is gorgeous.
I"m a new follower and will be back again soon.
Mimi

~Lavender Dreamer~ said...

How pretty! Love this idea...now what can I do?!! Hugs! ♥♥♥

Debbiedoos said...

Hi Miss Carol....you crack me up...I can't wait to see your PET now. And no worries for me, so far so good. If I do a linky pet party, it will only be once in awhile, perhaps monthly...

Sherry @ No Minimalist Here said...

Hi Carol, This is so clever! Now I will be looking at everything to see if I can add crystals.
xo,
Sherry

KimMalk said...

You are so smart and have the most clever ideas. The crystals do take everything up a notch. ->For the record I was not a hippie in the 70s, but all of the rolling references just took my mind there... ;)

My Cottage Charm said...

Hey Carol! Yes, I did indeed learn some lessons from my heat/air incident...prayer and a second opinion are good lessons to learn! :)
LOVE all your crystal additions! I have an entire box of crystal prisms and yards of the crystal beads in my closet, just waiting for another great chandelier find! I do love crystals on just about anything!
Have a great weekend my friend!
Hugs
Missy

Unknown said...

Thank U for this. I have crystals waiting to be hung. I am sooo with you on two things, I can't/don't read directions and I get crabby when working with small items. I even get crabby tying ribbons. What's up with that? When I finish up my projects (Valentine's goodies) I will let you know and you can inspect my crystal hanging abilities! LOL
XO
Roselle

Bring Pretty Back said...

Carol, I am going to be out of control!! Thank you SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO much for sharing this!
Whoo hoo!
Have a pretty day!
Kristin

sweetpea said...

thanks for your sweet comment carol!

hugs,

shelley

Anonymous said...

I found a gorgeous chandelier last Spring and it took me months to rework the prisms on it, and find replacements for the missing ones. I wanted the wires to be old and not have that shiny new look. I so appreciate your tips Carol. I have only used the dremel or drill when attaching crystals to sconces. Never thought of the hookie thingies. :) xoxo

June said...

Geesh girl...you are talking about patience...and you do mosaics? LOL! That takes a ton of it I believe. I only did one thing and couldn't believe how much patience I needed to get through it.
Your tutorial has me wanting to hang cyrstals everywhere now. I too pick them up whenever I see them, but they just sit in jars looking pretty. Now I can hang them on things and they can look pretty there. I also learned a lot about 6000 glue too. This was awesome Carol!
Thank you so much for your well wishes. It was so sweet of you to come by and cheer me on.
sending big hugs...

Olivia said...

Than you for information. I lovvvveee E 6000 glue. Works miracles. Your crystal projects are darling. Hugs,
Olivia

Debbie-Dabble Blog and A Debbie-Dabble Christmas said...

Carol, Thanks so much for this tutorial!! I am sure i am going to have fun using this in making all kinds of things as soon as I can find the time!

hugs,
Debbie

Cassandra said...

This is such a wonderful post! Very inspiring! Thanks so much for sharing! And thanks so much for stopping by to visit my blog. I have been struggling to get to stop by all my favorite blogs lately with everything going on. I am so glad I was able to stop by and be inspired by your lovely creations! Hugs

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