How Do I Mosaic a Metal Chandelier?

With the right glue and small mosaic materials, you can transform a plain, metal chandelier into a work of art. Look for small mosaic tiles, small glass nuggets and colorful glass beads in craft stores to cover metal arms and other chandelier components. Small bits and pieces of ceramic or glass material work best to cover curved areas of the chandelier. It takes time and patience to give a metal chandelier a mosaic makeover, but the end result is well worth the effort.

All-purpose cleaner
Cleaning cloths
Rubbing alcohol
Books
Mosaic tiles
Tile nippers
Small glass nuggets
Viscous jeweler's glue
Toothpicks
Painter's tape
Glass seed beads

Instructions

- 1
  Remove the light bulbs from the chandelier. Clean the metal parts of the chandelier with an all-purpose cleaner. Dry the chandelier completely.
- 2
  Pile two stacks of books or wood boards side by side on a work surface. The book stacks should be tall enough and positioned to brace the upended chandelier. Place the chandelier upside down between the book stacks so that the base and the underside of the arms are facing up.
- 3
  Wipe the metal parts facing up with rubbing alcohol. The rubbing alcohol removes fingerprints and skin oils deposited by handling the chandelier. Removing the oil prepares the surface for the adhesive. The rubbing alcohol will evaporate.
- 4
  Turn a selection of mosaic tiles and glass nuggets upside down on the work surface. Spread a small amount of viscous jeweler's glue onto the backside of a few pieces of the material. Spread a small amount of the same glue onto a small section of the metal base of the chandelier. Viscous jeweler's glue comes in a tube; use a toothpick to spread the glue.
- 5
  Wait at least one minute for the adhesive to set up, and then press the mosaic materials onto the metal. Hold the mosaic materials against the metal for a few seconds. Repeat the process to cover the upended section of the base. If the pieces start to slide, hold them in place with painter's tape until the glue dries.
- 6
  Follow the gluing process to cover the underside of the chandelier arms with tiny pieces of mosaic tiles and glass nuggets. Cut the tiles as needed with a tile nipper. Glass seed beads may work best on the arms, depending on the width of each chandelier arm. To add seed beads, spread a thin layer of glue onto the metal only, wait one minute and then sprinkle the beads on top of the glue. Press the beads onto the chandelier with your fingers or a toothpick.
- 7
  Leave the metal chandelier upended and undisturbed for 24 hours. Reposition the chandelier upright on the work table; brace the sides with books or wood blocks to keep the chandelier stationary.
- 8
  Cover the remaining metal parts of the chandelier with mosaic tiles, glass nuggets and glass beads. Hold the pieces with painter's tape, as needed, until the glue dries. Let the chandelier stand undisturbed for 24 hours.

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