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

What's It Wednesdays @ Ivy and Elephants
Blue Cricket Design Show & Tell 
Junkie Newbie Would You Buy it Wednesday  
DIY By Design White Blues Wednesday Party