DIY Outdoor Chandelier Project

I've been seeing outdoor chandeliers in magazines lately. Like here, here, here and here. They really make outdoor spaces so cozy and enchanting.

I've been wanting to make one myself. While I was in Wake Forest this week, I saw a chandelier that had been converted to use candles instead of electrical lighting. I really liked it but was not 100% sure about it so I didn't buy it.

After thinking about it more and more, I remembered seeing old chandeliers at our local Habitat for Humanity Re-Store once.

So I went to the Re-Store and found this for $10.

I brought it home and removed the electrical components.

I added small pillar candles so they would "screw in" over the existing bolt-like piece that was left from the electrical system.

I painted it black and hung it from our pergola with an "S" hook that I use for hanging plants.

This way, it's not a permanent fixture and I can take it down or leave it up.

I'll just put the candles in the freezer right before using in the summer months. That way, they won't melt.

The whole project cost less than $20. $10 for the fixture. $6 for an eight pack of candles. And $1.99 for a pack of "Stick-um Candle Adhesive" from Michael's. The adhesive helps hold the candles in place.