RTW: Air Plant Chandelier TUTORIAL

Reader's Tutorial Week is a week where i spotlight a few of my Reader's fabulous tutorials. this is a fun week to meet fellow Craftaholics and check out their great tutorials!

I'm Haley, and I live in Brooklyn with my husband, Jeremy, and our two kitties, Simon and Pixel. I write The Zen of Making, a blog about my adventures in vegan cooking and baking, crafting, sewing, and DIY. Tillandsias are my current obsession (they may take over our apartment), so I'm really excited for the opportunity to share my air plant chandelier tutorial with you crafty folks!

If you've been following my blog over the past couple of weeks, you are already well aware of my love for air plants. The moment I saw the Air Plant Chandelier Tutorial over at Modishblog.com by way of Ready Made's blog, my tillandsia interest went from enchantment to full-blown obsession. Once the seed was planted, I knew I couldn't help but make my own. I was determined to do it on a shoestring budget, so I hit my local Salvation Army to scope out glassware, used leftover wire from making lanterns for my wedding, and picked up some twine from the True Value Hardware down the street. After a trip to Dig for my air plant fix, I put the whole thing together for less than $50—$10 in supplies, $40 in plants (ah, supply and demand in NYC). It's entirely possible that you already have on hand all of the materials that you need to make a chandelier of your own.

You need: 4 air plants, 4 clear glass containers with a lip around the top (or a handle), flexible wire, twine, a pair of needle-nose pliers, and a pair of scissors.

1.

Cut a piece of wire about 24" long. This length may need to be adjusted depending on the diameter of the container you're using. My containers were 3" across.

2.

Wrap the wire around the container so you have equal length on both ends. Twist like a twisty tie.

3.

Tighten the wire by twisting a few times with your pliers. Stop when the wire is snug, but not too tight.

Additional Option: If you're using heavier glassware, or if you just prefer the look, you can wrap the wire around the lip twice. See the photo below.

4.

Create a loop by crossing the loose ends of the wire.

5.

Using your pliers, wrap the wire around the loop. It's easiest to start at the top on each side, twisting down to the base.

6.

Once you reach the bottom, wrap any extra wire around the base, taking care to squeeze in any loose ends so they don't poke you later.

7.

Measure the twine into pieces that are twice as long as your desired length (you will be folding them in half), then cut three pieces of each length. I chose 4 feet, 3 feet, 2 feet, and 1 foot, but you can use whatever lengths make sense for you.

8.

It's time to braid. Bundle 3 pieces of twine of the same length, and tie a knot at one end. Bring the pieces through the loop, securing the loop at the bottom of the braid.

9.

If you're working with long pieces, secure the container between your feet, then braid up. When done, wrap the twine around the second side of the loop, and knot to secure.

10.

To create a hanger at the top, gather all of the twine braids together, and tie a knot with a loop at the end.

11.

Add air plants, hang, and enjoy!

I definitely know what I'm making for everyone who's getting married this summer!