DIY Yarn Chandeliers

A couple weeks ago, I posted some pictures from a yarn set design I did at work. I was hoping to post the tutorial on how to make the yarn chandeliers last week, but didn't have a chance to work on it. But, I have the tutorial all ready for you guys today!

Here's what the finished product looked like if you remember. 

Now onto how to make some of your very own!


Here's what you'll need.
Supplies::-Balloons-Yarn-Cornstarch-Glue-Vaseline-Tarp-Fast Drying Spray Paint
The first thing you need to do is blow up your balloons to various sizes.  I made a few small ones, a few medium ones, and a few large ones to have a variety of sizes to work with.

Before you get started, you'll also need to go ahead and prepare how you plan to let them dry. I used some clothes racks my parents had in their garage to hang them from. You could also use a curtain rod and set each end on a chair. Go ahead and also put your tarp down in the space you'll be working.


Now onto the fun part. Before I get into how you actually make them, let me just offer a few pieces of advice. This project is extremely messy. When I finished I had glue all over my clothes and shoes and even in my hair.  :) So, be sure you wear clothes that you don't mind getting messy. Secondly, I suggest you recruit some friends or family members to help you make these if they are willing. This would have gone by a lot of faster and would have been easier had I had extra hands. Doing an assembly line of sorts would be ideal. To give you an idea, it took me about 4-5 hours total to make 15 chandeliers. Whew! That may not seem like that long to you, but it felt like an eternity to me!
I had every intention of having an amazing step by step tutorial with images for the actual process of making these, but as I mentioned above, it was extremely messy once I got started and glue on my camera didn't seem like a good idea. So bare with me without pretty images for a bit :)
First, coat all your balloons with vaseline. This will prevent your yarn from sticking to the balloons once you pop them.
Next mix 1/2 cup corn starch with 1/4 cup warm water and add about a half of a container of glue in a small bowl {I used a styrofoam bowl so I could toss it in the end}. {Advice: you'll need to make this mixture multiple times depending on how many balloons you do. I would say that the above ingredients and measurements would probably make 2-3 small/medium sized balloons. So be sure you get enough of your ingredients if you plan to make a large quantity.}
Set your bowl with your mixture in a tray on your tarp {I used a painter's tray}. Dip your yarn in the glue mixture and be sure to slightly squeeze some of the excess out.
Start by wrapping the yarn vertically and then slowly begin wrapping it around the remainder of the balloon. {Sidenote: if you want to use these as an actual lampshade, be sure to mark on your balloon with a sharpie before starting where your light kit would need to go so you don't wrap yarn in that area.}
Once you've wrapped the yarn and covered the balloon the way you like, tuck the end of the yarn under one of the wrapped strings.
After you finish each one, hang them from your drying rack/bar. I just hung mine with leftover yarn.


You know how I mentioned above about slightly squeezing out a little bit of the excess glue from the yarn before wrapping? Here's why. I made the mistake of literally soaking my yarn in my glue mixture. The result was a dripping mess. I had a huge puddle of glue below my balloon and since there was so much glue in the yarn, it dried sort of chunky. Not good!
Be sure to wait at least 24 hours for the yarn to completely dry before popping your balloons.


Here's what your finished product will look like. So pretty!


While they are still hanging, spray your chandeliers with a fast drying spray paint {clear}. I think this just helps protect the chandeliers.


And that's it. You're left with pretty yarn chandeliers!


These would look great at any event or wedding and would be super cute used as an actual lampshade.


Like I said, this project was a little more time consuming and a lot more messy than I was anticipating, but I think the end result is totally worth it. Don't you?
P.S. Apparently I've been on a yarn kick lately. First the yarn set design and then my Valentine's Day {LOVE} yarn wrapped letters. I promise, no more yarn projects for a while :)

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