After seeing ribbon chandeliers in baby stores, catalogs, magazines and on Pinterest, I decided to make one for Clara’s closet. The closet is large enough that it could become a cozy reading nook when she’s older—I imagine a beanbag on the floor and a stack of picture books. The existing light was a plain bare bulb on a pull string, so I wanted a cheerful ribbon chandy to brighten the space.
I spent $2 on a 10″ embroidery hoop from a craft store and used white spray paint plus a box of ribbons I already had. I keep ribbon scraps for projects, so this ended up being very budget-friendly.
First I spray-painted the metal hoop white on a piece of cardboard and let it dry. While it dried I sorted through ribbon scraps and chose the colors and patterns I wanted. I flipped the hoop with a stick to paint the other side and let it finish drying.
Back inside, I cut most ribbons into roughly 16″ lengths. I didn’t measure obsessively—if a ribbon would only split into two slightly shorter pieces, I used those. Imperfect lengths give the chandelier a relaxed, handmade look.
Using a hot glue gun, I folded each ribbon over the top of the hoop and glued it to itself on the inner edge of the ring. I placed ribbons next to each other with about an eighth-inch gap so they hung freely without bunching. I burned my fingers a few times, but the result was worth the minor mishaps.
Here’s the original bare bulb in Clara’s closet. We switched to a CFL for a cooler-running bulb before hanging the ribbons—important for safety and for keeping the fabric away from heat.
Two small hooks already in the closet made it easy to suspend the hoop. I intended to use fishing line but couldn’t find any, so I used white sewing thread instead. It held the hoop securely and blended in with the painted ring.
I made four thread loops spaced evenly around the hoop and hooked them over the two ceiling hooks so the hoop was supported from four points. That kept the ring stable and centered under the light.
When Clara woke from her nap I could hardly wait to show her. She loved it. I didn’t iron the ribbons before attaching them, so some hang with natural waves; I like the casual look, though they could be smoothed later if desired.
One favorite ribbon has little bunnies on it from a previous Easter basket project—small details like that add memories to the piece. The ribbon ends are staggered and some are cut at an angle or dovetailed for a playful, informal finish.
From the room the chandelier peeks out from behind the curtain like a cluster of bright dresses, hinting at the charm inside the closet until you look up and see the ribbons above.
The whole project cost just $2 for the hoop. The ceramic animals on the closet shelf are now safer up high, and the closet feels brighter and more personal. There’s even a framed photo of Burger on the shelf, which Clara adores.
When I explained how the hoop was hanging, John asked “how’s it hanging?”—a joke that doubled as a real question. We had a laugh and then secured everything so it was safe and level.
Have you made anything from ribbon or transformed a bare bulb into a decorative fixture? Share your ideas and projects—the simple materials and a little creativity can make a big difference in a small space.
Safety note: Many lampshades are fabric or paper, so ribbon can be used safely if it does not touch the bulb and ample space is left for heat to escape. Using cooler bulbs, like CFLs or LEDs, further reduces heat. In some places, exposed bulbs in closets are not to code and a glass dome is recommended; a ribbon chandelier can still be used to dress up a covered fixture as long as it’s installed safely and kept away from direct contact with the bulb.