Designer Look-Alike: DIY Capiz Shell Chandelier

I love this West Elm Capiz Shell Pendant and thought it would look perfect in our little girl's room, but it doesn't quite fit the budget at $129.  So, we recreated this very same look to hang from the existing flush-mount ceiling fixture with just a few items from the local craft store.  And, we did it for a mere portion of the total retail price!  Here's how it looks and how we did it...

Materials and Tools:
Several Sheets of translucent white vellum paper (I used 6-7 sheets)
An adjustable circle cutter (or a lid/glass to trace circles with and a pair of scissors)
White Thread
Embroidery hoop that will fit around your light fixture (measure diameter of your fixture cover, and get a hoop a tad larger)
Sewing Machine

Instructions:
1. Cut lots and lots of circles...the adjustable circle cutter cost me $20 but it saved lots of time and will be super handy for lots of projects down the road.

2. Lay out your circles in rows, staggering how many fall in each row so your "capiz shell" strips vary in length.

3. Sew your circles together into strips with a simple stitch setting on your sewing machine.  Leave about 5 inches of thread on the ends (see photo above)...you'll use this thread to tie the strips to the embroidery hoop.

4. Tie the "capiz shell" strips onto the embroidery hoop, and space them out evenly.  I used the outer hoop of the embroidery hoop because I needed it to expand a bit to get around the globe of the light fixture.

(Note: If you can, remove the globe/cover of the light fixture and set the embroidery hoop on it while you tie on the strips)

5. Finally, carefully re-install the light cover with the embroidery hoop around it.  Then turn your light on and admire your thrifty creation!

What do you think of it?  Not the same as the original fixture, but definitely along the same lines, huh?  I'll showcase the entire room from inspiration board to execution later this week!

You can also use this same concept to create a mobile for a nursery....just like Dana Miller showcased {here} on her blog House Tweaking.  Her creativity inspired me to go for my DIY capiz shell pendant light.  Isn't this gorgeous?!?!

Have a happy day!  And, stay safe from those gale-force winds and floods if you're with us in the North East, bracing for Hurricane Sandy.