DIY Shell Chandelier

Attach metal chain of equal lengths to three equidistant spots on a metal wreath form with small split rings. The open end of each split ring slides over the last link in the chain and the wire of the wreath form. A form with two or more concentric metal rings determines the circumference and depth of your chandelier. More rings permit more strings of paper shells and a prettier chandelier.

Connect the loose ends of the chains into a larger split ring that you will use to hang the chandelier from the ceiling or attach to a single chain or rod that houses the wiring and light fixture. Spray paint the chains and wreath form white and hang to dry.

Measure the diameter of the open end of a glass that you will trace to make the “capiz shell” circles. Calculate how many rows of hanging shells you want for your chandelier and how long you want the rows to be. You may vary lengths or keep them all the same. Figure out how many circles it will take to make each row.

Cut waxed paper into 1-foot lengths. Make as many as you need to cut out enough circles for your “shells” times three. Place three pieces of the waxed paper on top of each other between two sheets of baking parchment. Iron the waxed paper until it fuses. Set each fused section aside to cool and continue until you have enough paper for the shells.

Trace the glass on the waxed paper, filling each fused section with circles. Cut out each circle, keeping them as perfectly round as possible.

Cut lengths of heavy white thread or clear monofilament as long as the rows of shells will be, plus 4 inches. Cut one length for each row you plan to hang.

Use a glue gun to touch each shell at the top and bottom on one side and attach it to the thread. Begin at the bottom of each thread, attaching the first circle at its top only. Then overlap the next circle slightly and glue each one top and bottom until you reach the top of the thread, leaving 4 inches to attach the thread to the wreath form.

Tie the dried, glued strings of waxed paper shells around the wreath form. Measure to get them precisely the same or allow for slightly uneven lengths, depending on your intended design.

Attach the chandelier to the ceiling hook or hanging lamp fixture. Use an LED or compact fluorescent lamp or a string of fairy lights to illuminate the paper shells from within. Those light bulb choices won't throw off too much heat. Alternatively, suspend a bulb in a metal cage or in a glass globe in the center of the chandelier to avoid melting or burning the waxed paper.