The Sunshower Chandelier

Imagine a chandelier that's sparkly, but not ostentatious. One that's feminine, but not girly. Whimsical, without screaming "THIS IS FOR A BABY'S ROOM!"
Imagine a chandelier that reminds you of sunshine on falling raindrops.
I made the Sunshower Chandelier for my daughter's room. I thought, "Babies like sparkly magical things, right? What if the chandelier was made out of mirrors, so that it would bounce light around like a disco ball?" My inspiration was one of those rare times that the sun comes out while it's raining. That's sparky and magical, right?
The Sunshower Chandelier, made from mirrors.
I can tell you how I made it, but to be honest, the full tutorial is long and complicated. I'll give you the Cliff Notes version here, but if you want to test your patience and try to make one for yourself, you can find all the gory details, plus links to materials, a lot of extra words, and a picture of Graceland, here: http://www.sarahsbigidea.com/2015/09/the-sunshower-chandelier/.
Materials to make a mirrored chandelier.
For the pretty parts:


-46 mirror strands, made from:


-Krylon Chrome spray paint (optional; see Step 3 below).


-3 embroidery hoops, sizes 6″, 9″, and 12″.


-7 (or 14, depending on what you do for Step 3) 6″x 9″ acrylic mirrors.


-2 packs of bright silver 9 mm square jump rings.


-3 packs of bright silver 7 mm square jump rings.


-Jewelry chain (not pictured)


-2″ silver head pins (not pictured)


-2″ silver eye pins (not pictured)


For the innards:


-Polished Nickel Cluster with 3-light large body and 90-degree arms, and nickel-plated 1″ Loop with wireway


-Chrome-plated Contemporary Canopy Kit, 5″ diameter


-5 feet of 18/2 SPT-1 Clear Silver Lamp Wire


-1 foot of nickel-plated 1/8″ thick Oval Steel Chain


-2 feet of nickel-plated 3/32″ Steel Chain


-3 6-watt dimmable LED chandelier bulbs (60-watt equivalent) (not pictured)


Total cost = about $127.
Step 1: Drill tiny holes in your embroidery hoops.


Step 2 (Optional): Stain and seal your embroidery hoops.


Step 3: Cut your mirrors.


Step 4: Drill your mirrors.


Step 5: Spray paint the back of your mirrors.
Step 6: Make your mirror strands.


Step 7: Attach your mirror strands to the embroidery hoops.
Step 8: Attach the hoops to each other.
Step 9: Create the hanging structure out of the stainless steel chain.


Step 10: Wire it up.


Step 12: Hang it!
Sarah's Big Idea
Want more details about this and other DIY projects? Check out my blog post!
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Frequently asked questions
Have a question about this project?
  2 questions
  • Patty Patty on Dec 08, 2018

    I would love this in my living room. But how and why do you cut the glass? Can't you buy it already cut ?

  • Cheylynne14 Cheylynne14 on Feb 28, 2019

    would this work also in a kitchen that needs more lighting

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  • Shirley Kalinosky Shirley Kalinosky on Jan 12, 2021

    Love the idea. Real mirrors even small ones are very heavy so using the chrome spray on something lighter weight seems better.

  • Lynne Lynne on Jan 12, 2021

    awesome job!! i am going to try something like this, i love any that sparkles. thanks for the idea.

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