DIY Globe Rope Chandelier

By introducing cotton rope into your decorating scheme, you can add an element of light, organic décor to an otherwise dark or dull room. Making a globe chandelier from this material is a straightforward job, and its simple but chic look blends with many interior styles. The natural look of the rope’s fibers, combined with a twisting, spherical wrapping style, bring together elements of classic and modern designs.

Latex balloons
Swag hanging lamp kit
Tape measure
Permanent market
Petroleum jelly
1/4 cup warm water
1/2 cup corn starch
4 ounces white clear-drying liquid glue
Spoon
Large container
Cotton rope, 3/16 inch diameter
Needle
Aluminum wire
Wire cutters
Spray-on fabric stiffener

Instructions

- 1
  Blow up a latex balloon until its shape resembles a globe, then tie the balloon. Do not inflate all the way.
- 2
  Examine the lighting fixture in your swag lamp kit. Find the piece that will connect to your finished globe chandelier (it might attach to the light bulb or be a separate entity). Measure its dimensions. Use a marker to replicate the shape with the proper dimensions on the top of the balloon. Center the shape on the balloon’s knot.
- 3
  Coat the balloon with a layer of petroleum jelly.
- 4
  Mix corn starch, water and glue together in a large container until smooth. Submerge cotton rope in the mixture until coated.
- 5
  Place one end of the rope on the balloon. Begin to wrap rope, from that point, around the balloon. Wrap it in various directions and avoid laying rope in the marked-off area at the top of the balloon. Tuck both ends of the rope under other pieces to hide them when finished. Keep the spacing consistent so your globe chandelier appears balanced. Let it dry for 24 hours.
- 6
  Pop the balloon. Turn the dried rope globe upside down and remove the deflated balloon from the hole in the top of the sphere.
- 7
  Spritz the entire surface of the dried globe with a layer of fabric stiffener. Let dry.
- 8
  Insert the lighting fixture from your swag lamp kit into the hole in the globe. Cut two pieces of wire, each several inches long, to connect either side of the fixture to the globe. Twist the wires around the opposing sides of the fixture, then twist them around pieces of rope nearest the opening to secure. Adjust according to the design of your lighting fixture to ensure a sturdy attachment.

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