Ballard Inspired Chandelier Magnets

How would you like to easily upgrade a chandelier in under ten minutes for well under $20?  I did, and here's how it turned out.

A nice little upgrade from what I started with...

I could have just as easily accomplished the same effect by purchasing these gorgeous magnetic chandelier crystals from Ballard Designs:

When I found out that these cost $35 for three (and I would have needed nine) plus shipping, I decided to come up with another solution.  I did, and it couldn't be easier.  Here's what you'll need:

Jewelery magnets and glass Christmas ornaments - that's it!  I got my ornaments last year at Target.  They were originally $1.50 each, but I was able to get them for 30% off.  With the craft stores like Michael's and Hobby Lobby already stocking their shelves with Christmas decor, and our other favorite stores like Target and Home Goods soon to follow, now is the time to start looking for these. 

I simply attached the jewelery magnet (the best price I found was $2.24 for 6 magnets at JoAnn) to the jump ring on the ornament, and then stuck it to my chandelier.  Easy peasy!

I noticed that Ballard also sells magnetic chandelier ornaments for Halloween.  Very cute!

Unfortunately, at $39 for a set of three, these are even more expensive than the crystals.  I'm sorry, Ballard, I'm not willing to spend that much on something I will only use for 30 days of the year.  Again, I decided to come up with a much less expensive, creative solution.  Here's what I came up with:

It may not be quite as glam as the Ballard version, but I think this guy is adorable!  When it comes to Halloween, my taste tends to gravitate more toward the cute than the creepy.  If you prefer a spookier theme, I'm sure you could find spiders, bats, or skeletons to use in your project.  Either way, you'll have to invest a bit more time to make these than the crystal version, but you'll definitely be able to finish them in under an hour.  Here are the supplies I got at Michael's:

In addition to your bag of glittery Styrofoam balls and jack-o-lanterns (which I hope you got with a 40% off coupon), you will need the jewelery magnets, some jump rings, eye pins, and good craft glue.

To start, you will need to attach the magnet to a jump ring and then an eye pin to that same jump ring.  Then you attach two eye pins to a jump ring, and then attach two more eye pins to a second jump ring.  When you're finished, this is what you'll have:

Next, you will trim each of the eye pins.  Each pin should be less than half the diameter of the Styrofoam piece into which it is being inserted. 

Finally, one at a time, coat the eye pins with craft glue and insert into the Styrofoam pieces as shown in this photo:

It's best to let the glue dry on each eye pin before inserting the next eye pin.  Once all of the pins are inserted, lay your ornament on it's side until the glue is completely dry. When all the glue is dry, you are ready to attach your ornament to your chandelier.  How easy is that!?!

I hope you enjoyed this simple project.  What's your favorite way to dress up your home quickly and inexpensively?

Linking to: