August 25, 2011
by Krista Watterworth
Make Your Own Mod Lights
On my HGTV show Splurge & Save I made some cool lighting and people have been asking how I did it. Modern lighting can cost hundreds, but I cheated the system. The Huang Family and I made our own for a fraction of the cost. Here’s the Room Recipe for these hipster luminaries.
Homemade Modern Lights
DIRECTIONS:
• Blow up beach balls – small and large
• Tape a starting point and wrap with armature wire (a sturdy wire used frequently in art projects). Smaller gauge is for small balls.
• Leave an opening at the top the diameter of a light bulb insert light kit.
• Wrap in full circles around ball in random directions. Cover the surface of the ball like a spider web. Go around approx. 100 times or until you’re happy with your coverage and can barely see the ball.
• Deflate the ball and remove it. You’re left with the silver wire.
• Stick the light kit (cord with a light bulb attached from a hardware store) down through the hole until the light bulb is in the center of the ball.
• Use 2-4 pieces of small armature wire to secure light kit in place closing in the hole at the top of the fixture.
• Hang the light kit with a cup hook on the ceiling
INSPIRATION: Random Light at DWR.com
TID BITS:
• For $10-$20 you have a modern light that could cost in the hundreds
• Lighting can turn a dark corner into a unique and creative source of radiance
• A modern style uses accessories that are elegant, shiny, and patterned in subdued colors such as silver, grey, or black
DIY HOW TO VIDEO:
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I want to make one of these lights and looking for armature wire. Did you use 22 guage wire for the large ball? what size spool do I need? Thanks!
Hi Beverly! Thank you so much for writing. Yes I used 22 Gauge Copper Wire – 8yd/Natural Silver for the lights. I bought it at Joanne Fabric. But I suggest buying it online, you can probably get a better deal. I found it Amazon.com for about $2.70. Good luck, and come back to post photos of your finished product!!
sorry to bother you again but I have found some large size spools of the 22 gauge copper wire online but have no idea how much to order. Do you know how many ft or yards, even approx. that you used for the larger ball? Thanks, Beverly Hatcher
Krista, Thank you for these instructions! I have been dying to know how to make these and talked about them here:
http://221vision.com/2010/10/13/wire-ball-lights/
We will make some soon and post pictures.
Lokks great !! thank you very much for the instructions !
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