We clipped this idea from an old issue of ReadyMade Magazine. As the holidays approach, we're revisiting the Rope Light Chandelier as a great decoration for a New Year's Eve party. We'd like to see clusters of these hanging in a window or an archway.
The ingredients add up to about $50: rope lights, extension cord, zip ties, and ceiling hooks. The extension cord acts as the core, while the rope lights are basically coiled around the core like a rubberband ball, using zip ties to secure the lights along the way. It's important to use low wattage lights so that the final product doesn't overheat. For the step-by-step instructions, click here. For more links to ReadyMade lighting projects, click below.
• Minimalist Menorah
• Hot and Cold Candlesticks
• Conceptual Christmas Tree
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Comments (3)
If you can afford it, go for the LED versions as traditional rope lights are incredibly inefficient for the amount of light they put out. They typically use 18 watts per foot, with works out to more than 200 watts for just a 12 foot lenth (which makes for a small ball when wrapped up.) They also tend to generate a lot of heat.
An LED version would use about 20 watts (if even that much).
cute! visually they would also be great as a cluster of different sized balls, piled up in a corner or sitting on the floor.
LEDs are awesome energy-wise but be aware that, instead of casting a warm glow, they have a very cold, space-y look to them. We just replaced our icicle lights this year with LEDs and our house looks like a space ship with the LEDs' weird, purple-y light,