$15 Brass chandelier makeover

I have been looking for an inexpensive {well cheap actually} brass chandelier that I could makeover for a charity event I am helping out with this week.   So I did what I always do when I need something cheap, I went on Craig’s list.  That turned out to be a bust.  I saw lots of things that would work, but no one seemed to really want to sell them, because they never got back to me.  I just don’t get why people don’t respond if they are selling something.  It is really frustrating.  So I went with plan “b”,  and decided to go check out Habitat for Humanity Re-Store.

I had never been to the one we have here in San Diego, but I figured it was worth a try.  I was pleasantly surprised on how organized and clean it was.  Not as big as I thought it would be, but that is ok, I found what I was looking for, and at a perfect price, $15.

A 14 armed brass chandelier.  SCORE!  Take that Craig’s list.

As soon as I got it home, I wiped it down with TSP and took it outside and hung it on a tree

I sprayed it with primer

Then I sprayed it with Rustoleum black gloss automotive enamel spray paint.  I had never used this type of spray before, but I knew I wanted a shinny high gloss finish, and it worked perfectly

Now it was time to bling it up a bit with some crystals.  I knew in order to drape the crystals onto the chandelier, I had to drill some holes to hook them into.  I used a tiny drill bit and drilled holes inside the outer edge of the cups.  Then I went to my stash and used what ever I had left over from my Etsy shop.  Which turned out just to be enough

There are a few glass crystals on there, but for the most part I used acrylic crystals.  They give the same look but without the price.  Plus it meant not having to go shopping to finish this project, which I was very thankful

This chandelier was originally hard wired and I need it to be a plug in type.   I am going to sweet talk my  husband into re-wiring a plug on the end for me, and then I can hang it.  I have lots more to do for this event, I am doing the decor { I am sure that doesn’t surprise you}.   But I think with this chandelier as the statement piece in the room, I have a good start.

So all in all this brass chandelier makeover cost me $12 in paint and $15 for the chandelier. The crystals I already had.  Total cost $27.  Now that is a deal!

I had planned on writing a tutorial on how to make the flat roman tailored valence this weekend, but realized this chandelier needed priority instead.  But it will be coming, I promise.