Woo-hoo — we did it. We met our self-imposed Tuesday-morning deadline and finished a clothespin chandelier for our little (completely unofficial) Pinterest Challenge. It wasn’t sponsored by anyone — Katie B. dreamed this up to get us off the endless pinning treadmill and actually make something we’d been saving.
Here’s how it went down. We already explained the Pinterest Challenge in more detail elsewhere and showed our supplies, but in short: we used an inexpensive Ikea light kit, a roll of hardware cloth (wire fencing) from Lowe’s, white gloss spray paint, spare craft wire, gloves and metal snips, plus clothespins. We originally bought three metal rings but ended up not using them; the project required eight bags of medium clothespins total.
The Ikea light kit we used is a plug-in model intended to be swagged, but an electrician friend showed us how to convert it to a hardwired fixture by removing the plug and connecting the exposed wires to the ceiling junction box (with power off). We finished it with a simple ceiling canopy from Lowe’s for a polished look.
To hide the dangling light kit we built a drum-style shade from the hardware cloth. Wearing gloves, we cut a strip roughly 9.5″ tall so the completed shade would be about 10–11″ after clipping clothespins at the edges. Because the shape held well, the fence material itself provided enough structure and the metal rings proved unnecessary.
We formed a 10″ diameter loop and used 22-gauge craft wire to bind the fencing where it overlapped. That gauge was thin enough to twist easily yet rigid enough to hold the frame together securely.
For attaching the light kit we considered several options — cutting a circular piece of fencing for the top, repurposing a splatter guard, even trying a burner drip pan — but many solutions either blocked too much light or would create odd light patterns on the ceiling. We settled on a mounting solution that kept the light centered while letting heat and light escape freely; you can see the final approach in the after photos.
Before assembling the clothespins we spray-painted the wire fencing with white gloss paint. We did this for two reasons: the glossy finish works well with the ceiling canopy and looks more finished, and painting seals older metal that can sometimes have traces of undesirable coatings. We sprayed outside of the main house while wearing gloves and applied several light, even coats.
Next came the clothespins. Tracking down the right size took a minute; we used eight packs of 40 medium wooden clothespins from Ben Franklin. We experimented with several patterns: straightforward horizontal rows, a zig-zag / alternating-squares pattern, diagonal lines, and even a playful Space Invader-inspired motif. Each pattern created a different light quality and silhouette.
We narrowed it to two favorites: the row-by-row look and the zig-zag. With the light on we compared both and decided the zig-zag allowed more light and felt airier, so we completed the shade in that pattern. Fortunately our wire frame had an even number of squares, which let the pattern loop cleanly without a visible seam. If you try this, aim for an even perimeter to avoid awkward joins.
We hung the finished shade using the same craft wire that secured the fencing and three heavy-duty ceiling hooks anchored into the ceiling. The hooks are important — the fixture is light but you want secure mounting so nothing shifts over time.
We chose not to paint or stain the clothespins. The natural wood complements other woven baskets in the room, makes the material obvious (which is part of the charm), and emits a warm yellow-tan glow when illuminated — a pleasant match for the room’s grellow walls.
From below the fixture casts a sunburst-like pattern across the ceiling when lit — a great visual effect. As with any shade made from flammable materials, keep clothespins and other combustible components a safe distance from the bulb and use cooler-burning bulbs such as LEDs or CFLs to minimize heat. Leaving gaps at the top and bottom helps heat escape.
We’re really pleased with how quirky and sculptural the chandelier turned out. Credit goes to Katie B.’s Pinterest Challenge idea and the many inspiring posts we saw on Pinterest while planning this. The fixture uses 320 clothespins and the finished shade weighs about four pounds.
Budget breakdown:
- 8 packs of 40 medium clothespins: $16
- Pack of ceiling hooks: $1
- Roll of hardware cloth: $8
- Ikea Hemma light kit: $4
- Ceiling canopy: $5
- Wire and spray paint: already on hand
- TOTAL: $34
Regarding clearance: our room has 8-foot ceilings and the bottom of the shade hangs 16″ below the ceiling, so the lowest point sits nearly 7 feet above the floor — tall enough that a 6′ person can walk under it comfortably. We positioned it away from the washer and dryer to avoid interference while moving around the laundry room.
There you have it: a full clothespin chandelier build with photos, materials, budget, and safety notes. We had fun, learned a few tricks, and became very fond of our little homemade light.
