This   bird feeder or votive candle holder is a simple and inexpensive project that yields beautiful results.  It would make a stunning addition to any patio or garden gazebo, filled with bird seeds to attract our feathered friends.  It would also add a touch of romance to a bathroom if hung over the tub with scented candles placed inside.

It was created using a vintage light fixture, vintage crystals, heavy gauge wire and brass chain.  The vintage fixture I picked up for $5 at my local flea market. Long Beach Veteran’s Stadium has a great market that is held the 3rd Sunday of each month. If you are from the area or ever travel to Southern California you should check it out! I always find good junk there.

I found a chandelier, crystals and all, at a garage sale for $25. I used the crystals for this project and hung the brass chandelier above my dinning table. The chain I used was from Lowe’s. You can find it in the lighting section.  I bought a box that had 30 feet of chain in it for $8. You can also find old chain at garage sales and flea markets for super cheap, or by it by the foot at your local hardware store.

The chain I used was brand new so, of course, it was super shiny and bright gold in color. Well… that just wouldn’t do, so I used a little trick my mom taught me to give it an antique look. I accomplished this by spraying it with bleach and letting it sit out in the sun for a few hours, periodically misting it with more bleach. When it was nice and rusty I rinsed it with water and got to work on my project.

I started by cutting pieces of fairly heavy gauge wire in about 1 inch length strips and making  loops out of them. These loops are placed inside the glass fixture at each hole and are used to hook to the chain that it will hang from, as well as, the crystals that will dangle from the bottom.  

I stuck the wire from the crystal through the hole in the fixture and secured it to the loop inside of the fixture.  Then I hooked the chain to the same loop and clamped it down tight with a pair of pliers, repeat 3 times or for each hole.

Then I strung chains of crystals in between each drop crystal and clipped extra tear drop crystals along the chain. You can use all different types of crystals, any style, shape or color would look pretty.

And there you have it! An old light fixture re-purposed. Just another way to turn old junk into something unexpected and beautiful, my favorite type of project!