Thrill of the Hunt #43 (My Chandelier Story)

March 20, 2017

thrill of the hunt #43 our hopeful home

So have you guessed what this week's Thrill of the Hunt is going to be about? If you guessed that it's going to be about a thrifted crystal chandelier you'd be right! And that, my friends, makes me very happy!


Ikea Kristaller chandelier found at Goodwill for $6.99!

Usually I share at least a few, if not more, thrifted items with you each week. But today I'm focusing on one thrifted item in particular because I love it THAT much. Really.
  
Ikea Kristaller chandelier found at Goodwill for $6.99!

I present to you the Ikea Kristaller chandelier. 

Ikea Kristaller chandelier found at Goodwill for $6.99!

While I truly love vintage French farmhouse decor, I have not had the opportunity to find, let alone purchase, any vintage chandeliers. While not vintage, I have loved this chandelier from afar for at least a few years now. But its $39.99 price tag was a bit too much for this thrifty shopper. 

Ikea Kristaller chandelier found at Goodwill for $6.99!

Then one lucky day a few months ago I stumbled upon this brand spankin' new chandelier for all of $6.99 at my local Goodwill. Now we're talking!

Ikea Kristaller chandelier found at Goodwill for $6.99!

Right now it's hanging on the rustic wood ladder that previously served as my DIY Bath Storage Ladder for a number of years. Today it sits in the foyer. In this picture you can see the yellow price tag still attached to the top of it. The part that actually houses the electrical wires and such is still nicely wrapped up in protective plastic-- it's never even been opened. As I've said, I know it's not vintage. But I do think it has somewhat of a vintage French rustic glam vibe to it.

Ikea Kristaller chandelier found at Goodwill for $6.99!

The crystals are plastic, but since they're faceted they glimmer and shine in the sunlight. I can't wait to see how they look once the light is working!  

And there's my dilemma. This is a hard wired chandelier, meant to be installed in an already-existing ceiling light fixture. Unfortunately, we don't have any logical place to hang it that way in this house. Either the ceiling's too impossibly high, or there's a much-needed ceiling fan that my husband would never want to replace with a chandelier. Or I would need two of them if I were to replace the two chandeliers that hang over our farmhouse kitchen table. And the odds of thrifting this kind of chandelier again are, well, pretty low. 

So, what's a chandelier-loving girl to do? 

Ikea Kristaller chandelier found at Goodwill for $6.99!

I'll tell you what she's going to do. 

She's going to convert this sucker into a plug-in swag lamp that she can then hang just about anywhere her little chandelier-lovin' heart desires! Once she get her nerve up, that is.

Ikea Kristaller chandelier found at Goodwill for $6.99!

I'm deep in the throes of research on the subject and I have to admit that I've become crossed-eyed trying to follow the instructions I've found in online articles, Youtube videos, etc. And electrical work is not something you want to enter into lightly. You. Have. To. Get. It. Right. And I will. 

Once I do, believe me, I will be shouting it from the rooftops! In light of the lack of clear-cut instructions available out there, I might even have to create my very first Youtube video! If any of you have had any kind of experience with this type of electrical project (or know of any great tutorials) please let me know-- I'm all ears!


Well, that's it until next time!

I hope you enjoyed reading Thrill of the Hunt #43.

Thanks for spending time with me today! 


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Leave a Comment!

NanaDiana said...

What a pretty chandelier. I love them and could use one in every room of the house! xo Diana

Cecilia said...

Can't wait to see what you do with it! Good luck!

https://www.vintagesouthernpicks.com said...

Well, aren't you the lucky girl! To find your heart's desire finally! I had something similar I sold on Etsy a couple of years ago...bought for $2 at an estate sale...it didn't last long in my shop either.

My thrift store addiction said...

She's a beauty, Kathleen! Great score!

handmade by amalia said...

I guessed it immediately :-)
Amalia
xo

Joy said...

I love chandeliers, too, and this one is a great find. Go to an electrical supply store, they can tell you what to do and sell you the plug, I don't think it is difficult to convert this to a plug-in model. And that's exactly what I would do with it, too!

Sheryl992 said...

You can always take this to an lamp/electrical store to have it rewired if you are in anyway insecure about your abilities to do so. Better save than sorry. While you are there you can price out the crystals if you want to change them out. Great find!

Kathy said...

If I can learn to rewire a lamp, I'm sure you can do this. Or a journeyman electrician. Hank of swag chain from a box store a long cord, and a coouple of ceiling hooks for hanging plants (so you can change your mind); you'll be ready to roll! Congrats on a great find!

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