DIY Driftwood - Driftwood Weathering Wood Finish
Creating a Driftwood Pendant Light Shade
An easy way to make a driftwood pendant light shade that will stretch to go over a glass shade of various sizes. The secret is simply using “stretch” bead and jewelry cord purchased from Michaels or from Amazon BEADNOVA 1mm Clear Elastic Stretch Jewelry Roll
If the top of the glass shade is narrower than the bottom – you can tighten the driftwood row at the top and leave the bottom looser. However, you don’t want to use a shade with more than a 2-3 inch circumference difference between the top and the bottom. Having said that, a creative mind could easily create two separate rings of driftwood one to fit around the top and the other to fit the bottom.
Materials You Will Need:
- 1mm Clear Stretch Beading or Jewelry Cording
- Drill
- 1/8″ drill bit
- Pendant Light Shade to be covered
- Driftwood Pieces preferably 1/2″ or more round, and straight
- Pencil to mark drill holes
- Ruler to measure and mark for drill holes
Marking and Drilling your Driftwood Pendant Light Shade
Place a driftwood piece against your glass shade, figure and mark 2″ from the bottom of your driftwood piece. Then measure another 2-3″ from the first mark and make a 2nd drill mark. You want the holes to line up as much as possible on each piece of driftwood. Drill at hole at each mark.
Once your pieces are all drilled, start threading the stretch cord through the holes. Tie knots about every 4th piece to keep spacing a little more equal when the shade expands. Pull the stretch cord to tighten the rows.
Make Your Circle
Occasionally place the driftwood row around the circumference of the glass shade to check the fit. When you have the row the length you want – tie a final knot or two. DO NOT CUT THE CORD. Form a circle with the driftwood row and continue threading the cord through 3 or 4 driftwood pieces from the other end. Knot the ends. You can add a little bit of hot glue to the end knots or lightly melt the stretch thread with a match.
Finally, slide the driftwood over the top of your glass shade and attach the assembly to the hanging rod.
You need not be confined to just using the driftwood on pendant shades – try using the same technique to go over an existing table or reading lampshade.
And don’t forget this stretchy driftwood surround makes a great candleholder or planter. Use them for special events, weddings or just liven up the garden.
If you want to make your own driftwood for this project, check out our tutorial on How to Create your Own Driftwood – it really works.