Our Redneck Chandelier and Barn Light Electric

We're still loving the redneck Mason jar chandelier we made for the Winter Pinterest Challenge a few months ago, and I figured I'd give an update about how it's holding up.


We've used it for dinners at our house, both fancy and casual, and sometimes we light it when having dinner just the two of us.  The dinner in these pictures was for our anniversary a few months ago, and we actually used it last night when we had friends over.  When we light the candles, we're veeeery careful not to let the fire to catch hold of the twine holding the chandelier up.

You can tell from these pictures that the wax melted down to cover the entire bottom of the jar, including the rice I added at the bottom based on the inspiration picture.  Although I didn't even consider that happening when I did it, it's kind of a neat effect.  Should make it interesting when the candle wick is completely spent; we'll probably just stick the jars in the oven to melt all the wax at once and pour it out.  I considered freezing the jars, since I've heard that works, too, but the jars are wider in the middle than at the mouth.

Depending on how high you've hung it, you'll probably have to climb on a chair to light the candles.  That's not a problem for me, but something to consider (although great for those with kiddos around!).  To extinguish the candle, we just put a glass over top of the jar opening until all the oxygen is gone and fire extinguishes itself.  Mr. GI looks kind of scary in this picture.  I promise he's not mad at the light.

Some folks initially had questions about heat distribution in our set up.  Really the only heat build up we've ever noticed is around the lid of the jar, but it doesn't distribute to the wood.  There is a film of smoke on the top of the jars close to the lid

If you're considering making one of these to keep outside, make sure it's sheltered from potential rain.  It would be pretty nasty if you hung this up in a place where water could collect (and also attract mosquitoes).

Speaking of lighting, I heard via Michelle @ Decor and the Dog this week that Barn Light Electric is having an awesome giveaway for the chance to win $1,000 worth of goodies from their store.  Basically, bloggers go on a virtual shopping spree, write up what they'd want, and send in a link to the post.  I can definitely do that!  (Read more details about the contest here.)

Although we love it, our redneck chandelier was never intended to be a permanent fixture.  I'm crushing on these two pendants to go over the dining room table.

Ivanhoe Sinclair Industrial Porcelain Pendant and Barn Light Cradle Pendant

We don't have a bar in our current kitchen, but if we did I'd slap this guy up faster than you could say dinnertime.  (Or I'd go for this dark School House Pendant, "The Volusia."  Tough choice.)

Rearden Pendant Light

Our front hallway doesn't have any light above it, so at some point I'd like to bring in an electrician to wire us up a new one.    A flush mount would be best since the ceiling is low by the front door, so how about this puppy?  Although if our house were older I'd totally go with this one.

Barnes Flush Mount Ceiling Light

Since we're still kind of in bathroom mode, I plucked out three lights I'd love to see in either of our bathrooms.

Left to right:
Reardan Wall Sconce (he's related to the pendant above)
Barn Light Wall Mount FGU Sconce
Goodrich Esso Porcelin Gooseneck Light

And these folks are obviously after my heart:

Vintage Ball Perfect Blue Mason Jar Pendant

It was really tough for me to narrow down my choices even to just these.  We've slowly started curating a "modern farmhouse" vibe around our place, thanks in large part to that beautiful table Mr. GI built a few months back, and so many of the options on Barn Light Electric's website are beautiful.  What lights would you choose if you had a spending spree?


Want a shot at winning some beautiful lights?

1. Look around online at Barn Light Electric and pick lights you’d love to own
2. Feature your lighting picks on your personal blog, and link to the lights if you can!
3. Copy/Paste these rules at the bottom of your blog article
4. Once your personal post is up, you must email your blog link to: marketing@barnlightelectric.com to be qualified to win – the contest ends July 2nd, 2012
5. Don’t have a blog? Find out how you can enter by visiting BLE's website or read these Official Rules

P.S.  I wasn't paid to write this post, although I do hope to win some big bucks for my entry!  And the opinions are all mine, nothing I was coerced to write.

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