Tumbleweed in Decor
Rattan, cane webbing, raffia, and other fibrous textures are trending this year which makes a simple item like tumbleweed the perfect natural accessory in your home décor.
Grab one or two as they blow by… ummm, maybe not that one…
Turn a tumbleweed into a statement chandelier with a lamp socket, lamp cord, chain, and screwdriver. (Affiliate links on my blog generate proceeds which are all donated to no-kill animal shelters and rescue organizations)
Unscrew the socket and feed the end of the power cord through the hole in the top.
Make what’s called an ‘underwriter’s knot’. Take the left side and loop it around and behind the right side. Then take the right side and go behind, loop around, and through the left loop. Pull to tighten. This knot will keep the cord from pulling out of the connections you’ll be making. Watch the video at the very end of this project for full step-by-step instructions for making the knot.
The cord has two sides – look closely to see which one is the smooth side and which one is ribbed. The smooth side or ‘hot wire’ goes to the gold screw on the socket and the ribbed side or ‘neutral wire’ goes to the silver.
Loosen the screws, loop the correct exposed end around each screw, and tighten back up.
Slip the top back over the knot and connection and then screw the other side back on to the socket.
Attach the chain to the top center of the tumbleweed for hanging.
Then add an LED bulb to the socket. Only use LEDs. Suspend the socket down from the chain into the middle of the tumbleweed.
Hang the chandelier, making sure that the chain bears the weight and not the cord.
You can also use spray paint and a drop cloth to add some unexpected color.
Spray paint an entire tumbleweed…
...and display!
Or use a few simple wood blocks and a drill…
Paint small individual branches…
Drill a hole in the top of the wood blocks…
And display as a group!
I love the natural texture and 'wildness' that tumbleweed bring!
Watch the step-by-step video tutorial below! Proceeds from this video (and the entire channel) are donated to no-kill animal shelters and rescue organizations. Please watch, like, subscribe, and share to help raise these donations for animals in need ❤
Resources for this project:
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Comments
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I love this so much! Looks very cool. Great idea.
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As always, you make it look so easy. I love your projects.
Frequently asked questions
Have a question about this project?
I live in an area where I do not have tumbleweeds, I checked Amazon,they just have the fire starters,how would 8 obtain a tumbleweed?
How would you dust it and keep it bug free ?
Most of the tumbleweeds are used as firestarters, what wattage did you use on the lamp, and did you ever fear it could catch on fire from the bulb?