Wednesday, February 22, 2012

Peach Blossoms & Bird Nest Cloche from Light Fixture




So thrilled that this was featured by DIY by Design
 

Do you like cloches ?  
Do you know that some light fixtures make really pretty cloches?


Enough questions ... let's take a look at this large cloche I made from a big light fixture.

 This is the kind of fixture that might have been in a room with a very high ceiling. It has six sides of beveled glass panes that are put together with brass metal strips. Inside is a long rod with six lights.
 Really TALL !!!  
Would you buy this?
It had been on the shelf at the Thrift store for two weeks that I know of, priced at $9.95. I ask if it was ready to be reduced and they priced it at $4.99, so that persuaded me to take it.

 We removed the bottom section by using the Dremel to saw through each corner where the two pieces were connected and removed the bottom section, giving it flat open bottom. I had planned to use the bottom section for a short cloche but it is pretty wrecked at this point. 

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Here it is, bottom removed, sitting on a temporary round base, but the door cannot be opened on this base. 

Please ignore the messy shop, but this is a real live workshop and stays messy most of the time.

We cut a wooden base for it, making it the same shape as the bottom of the cloche, only about one-inch larger. I wiped some green paint on the wood. Now here it is ... a majestic 27" tall and is pretty heavy with all the glass.

Inside I have displayed two of my natural bird nests. I cut a couple of branches for mounting the nests. Nests are very fragile once removed from their original home so if you can, remove the small branch too. One of the branches came from a peach tree that was beginning to bud, so I placed the branches in water in hopes of forcing blooms and now getting a few blooms.  I have moss grass inside for the base, a few moss rocks, a little plant, two real bird nests and a few birds.

This could be used outside in the garden and the brass would likely age nicely. I left the brass as was but may at some point tarnish it or make it a tarnish silver, pewter or rubbed bronze. I started to do that, but would have taken too long.
The bottom is open and it has a large hinged door. There are small  air holes in the top piece under the finial so a plant could grow in it.


 
Have an open mind when you see vintage light fixtures ...
one may just be perfect for a cloche. 

If you like, you can see another cloche I made from a light fixture. 
HERE

Hope this has inspired you to think outside the box. I have been doing that for a lot of years and even now I can look at something as it is and never imagine it ever being anything else. 


I keep practicing. 

    
Two days later, I am getting more peach blooms. I love forcing Spring by bringing budded limbs in the house. 


 Have you repurposed an old light fixture? 

Blessings. Audrey Z.
 
Linking up with: 
Knick of Time  Interiors
Mrs. Hinds Class Show and Tell
Wow Us Wednesday @ Savy Southern Style 
Inspiration Friday @ At the Picket Fence

 Redoux Friday
Fridays Unfolded @ Stuff and Nonsense
Pot Pourri Friday @ 2805
Home Sweet Home @ The Charm of Home
Saturday Nite Special @ funky junk interiors
Spotlight Saturday @ Classy Clutter
Sunday's Best @ My 1929 Charmer
Rock 'N Share @ The Shady Porch
Debbiedoos Newbie Party @ Debbiedoos


30 comments:

  1. As always Audrey you come up with new ways of using old.
    Joy

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  2. Can you believe that, when my sister was visiting yesterday, I brought up your site to show her your cloche made from a light fixture? How perfect that you do a tutorial on it today! ~ Maureen

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  3. I love your idea of using old things.
    It's lovely!
    Love Annette

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  4. What a cute little bird.

    Hugs from Sweden
    Elna

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  5. How clever!!I love cloches and think what you've done with an old light fixture is amazing.
    I'll be back. I'm your newest follower.
    Karen
    Ladybug Creek

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  6. hi Audrey,,
    you are so creative, I love it~!

    your newest follower
    Sonny

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  7. What a great idea! I know our habitat for humanity store had several fixtures like that.

    Thanks for joining my party!

    Stephanie

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  8. What a great idea- you did a lovely job on this project. I love the buds starting to bloom. Found you over at Savvy Southern Style party.

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  9. It turn doug lovely! Welcome to blogging!

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  10. Brilliant! I have never thought of these fixtures as a cloche but they are perfect. I love this, and I will be trying it!

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  11. Love it Audrey! I'm going to be on the lookout for old light fixtures.

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  12. That is the cutest thing ever! So original and pretty too!

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  13. Wow! Just beautiful! Thanks for the inspiration and the "how -to". I saw your post over at "Rock and Share" blog party.

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  14. I'm delighted that you shared this cloche at Show & Tell. I'm amazed by your ability to think outside the box, Audrey. I bet there isn't much that you can't repurpose.

    Sharon @ mrs. hines class

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  15. Brilliant! I am always seeing cheap light fixtures at the thrift shop but usually disregard that style, but i won't anymore!

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  16. You are just so clever Audry. I love this idea.

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  17. Very good idea and very clever. I love cloches. I have them throughtout my home.

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  18. Oh wow! What a great idea! You did a wonderful job, and I also like the idea of bringing budded limbs in the house. I'm definitely going to do that!
    Blessings!
    Geneva

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  19. You have inspired me Audry! I always see these at my thrift and don't know what I would do with them. If the work shop is cleaned up then there is no work going on!!

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  20. What a terrific cloche! So clever to use a light fixture! Thank you for sharing your creativity at Potpourri Friday!

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  21. Oh my gosh, what a great idea! I would never have thought of doing something like this. Thanks for the inspiration!

    BTW I'm stopping over from the newbie party and I love your blog. I'm your newest member!
    I'd love for you to stop by and check out my blog too!

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  22. Amazingly creative! It looks lovely the way you have it displayed. Love the little bird, and the fact that you used blooming spring branches! Brilliant! I will be following you now. Hope you get a chance to come by and check out my blog too!
    Have a great weekend!
    xo-Lisa

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  23. It's lovely! I'll be on the lookout for a fixture like that now. Thank you for the inspiration! Cheers, Andrea

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  24. What a neat idea-love birds and nests too! I'm your newest follower-stop by for a visit!

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  25. Yes, I'm inspired! That is a brilliant idea and yours looks like a million bucks! Thanks for sharing at the Rock ‘N Share!

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  26. That is a good idea! Thank you for joining me at Home Sweet Home!
    Sherry

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  27. I love cloches and this one is a super cute thrift shop makeover!!
    Kelly

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  28. That is just gorgeous. I wish I had seen this a few years ago...I had the same light fixture that I gave away. I will be featuring this tonight at my Winter Blues Wednesday party that opens at 8pm EST. Please stop by and pick up an I've Been Featured button. Thanks.

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