Make A Pendant Light Out Of An Outdated World Globe

Yesterday I was doing a little blog housekeeping (blogkeeping?), and realized that a handful of my older DIY projects were missing from the DIY Projects Gallery. I came to realize that some of them didn’t survive the switch to WordPress. So this is a re-post of one of my very first DIY projects that I did for Addicted 2 Decorating. Enjoy!

Vintage world globes have such wonderful charm and character, and while the geographical information may be completely outdated, the shape, colors, and textures can add beauty to any home.

This whimsical world globe pendant light would be a wonderful addition to a home office, a modern living room, or an explorer-themed child’s room.

Project Cost:

Approximately $30
 

Tools & Materials:

• Vintage world globe, usually available at thrift stores;
• Hemma pendant light cord from IKEA (or similar cord, available where paper lamps are sold);
• White spray paint;
• Clear glossy spray paint;
• Double fold bias tape in color that coordinates with your globe;
• Compact fluorescent light bulb.
• Scissors;
• Painter’s tape;
• Newspapers;
• High temp hot glue gun;
• Very sharp small serrated knife.

Instructions:

1. Using your serrated knife, cut around the bottom axis of the globe so that you can remove the globe from the metal stand. This cut line does not have to be straight or neat. It’s simply a means to remove the globe from the stand.

2. Once the globe is removed from the stand, select a latitude line on the globe, and cut around the entire globe with your serrated knife. Try to cut as straight and evenly as possible, as this will be the bottom edge of your light.

3. Using the light socket on your pendant light cord as a template, trace around the socket on the top of the globe, and then use your serrated knife to cut the small hole for the cord.

4. Using painter’s tape and newspapers, tape around the bottom edge of the globe, and completely cover the outside of the globe. Also use a bit of painter’s tape to cover the small hole in the top of the globe.

5. Using white spray paint, completely coat the inside of the globe. You may choose to use a spray primer first, which helps with the coverage of the spray paint. I always use a primer before using a spray paint.

6. Once the paint is dry, use a glossy clear coat spray and completely coat the inside of your globe.

7. Remove tape and paper from globe and spray the outside of the globe with two layers of clear glossy spray.

7. When the paint is completely dry, use your hot glue gun to adhere the bias tape to the bottom edge of the globe. Be sure to maintain a very straight line with the bias tape on the outside of the globe, and then wrap the tape to the inside of the globe and glue.

8. Attach the pendant light cord through the top hole, add your compact fluorescent light bulb, hang your light, and enjoy!
 

Helpful Hints:

• Be certain to use only a low temp bulb (e.g., CFL) with this light. A regular incandescent bulb will get too hot.
• Be very careful when removing painter’s tape from your globe. Paint may lift color from very old globes.