|

The DIY Gradient Wood Tasting Spoon Pendant Light Is FINISHED!!

It has been quite a long, winding journey, with lots of roadblocks along the way, but the gradient wood tasting spoon pendant light is finally finished!

So just a quick recap. I wanted a unique light to go over my desk in the studio, and I decided to make a light inspired by my favorite piece of artwork that I’ve ever made — the gradient pinwheel made of wood tasting spoons.

So I estimated how many spoons I’d need to space them 3/4-inch apart on 15 lampshade rings, painted in 15 different colors, and assembled together to create a funnel-shaped pendant light. So I cut the handles off of 1200 tasting spoons (which I did before I estimated how many I’d actually need), then sanded, primed, painted, and gilded 850 of the spoons. Then I drilled holes in all of them, and attached them to the lampshade rings using 10mm jump rings.

And when I assembled everything (after trying 10 different ways to attach the lampshade rings together before finding something that actually worked), I realized that not only was the light fixture too tall (meaning that it looked out of proportion and too much like a literal funnel), but I needed double the number of spoons than what I had prepared. So with the help of a friend and my mom, we prepared 850 additional spoons for the light.

Before adding those additional spoons, I needed to find a way to keep the chain links in place because they kept shifting every time I touched the light. So after considering different options (I actually bought a soldering iron), I decided to use super glue. It was the fastest and easiest option, and it worked out perfectly.

Once all of the chain links were glued to the lampshade rings and to each other, I started adding the additional spoons. I started at the bottom and worked my way to the top. Once I got about five rings finished, I started getting really excited to see this finished. Doubling the number of spoons was definitely the right decision.

I took some time to decide exactly how I wanted the spoons arranged. Because I’m a perfectionist, you know I had to try arranging them where they lined up perfectly, alternating directions from row to row.

Interestingly, I didn’t like it like that. I much preferred the random, messy, unpredictable look.

So are you ready to see the finished light? Here it is!!

It was so worth it! I love this so much. It took a total of about 1700 wood tasting spoons, countless hours, and lots of frustrating trial and error, but it turned out even better than what I envisioned in my mind. It reminds me of feathers for some reason. It’s like a really colorful bird, and y’all know how much I love birds. 😀

Here’s what it looks like with the light turned on, although the only time I ever use this light is when I’m sitting at my desk after dark or early in the morning. It’s mostly just a pretty decoration.

My desk is far from finished, but you can use your imagination to envision what it’ll look like over my desk with the white base and walnut top.

I can hardly believe it’s finally done. This was, by far, the most difficult and time-consuming artsy project I’ve ever done. But I’m so glad I saw it through to the end. It’s a one-of-a-kind, for sure.

 

 

Similar Posts

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

69 Comments

  1. Absolutely stunning – it practically shimmers even when it’s not turned on!
    Kudos for all your hard work and persistence!

  2. It is beautiful! ( every thing you do is beautiful) so glad you persevered through the process!
    I’m living ever thing you’ve done in the studio. Such an inspiration!

  3. Congratulations on a job well done! It is the prettiest light that I have ever seen. I hope you feel proud every time you look at it. Following you has been great!

  4. Hi Kristi: The lamp looks fabulous! It is definitely one of a kind and I’m with you, it looks like beautiful bird feathers. Way to go on your masterpiece! I would probably want to admire it continually. So glad you shared this with all of us (even the challenges). We get by with a little help from our friends (and of course, our moms.) The 850 extra spoons definitely made a impactful difference!

  5. What a project! I love it! Makes me want to run my hands around it to hear the sound the wooden spoons make. Soon the desk will be finished and the work in progress studio will be a real working studio!

  6. GORGEOUS!!! I like the “feathers” effect also. I now think I want to make a peacock one, albeit on a smaller scale for our master bath. It’s fantastic, and you are a genius. This deserves a celebration; you have definitely earned it.
    Cheers!

  7. Oh my goodness!!!!!!!!! You work SOOOOOO hard. I admire how you make a commitment to finish a product and you do NOT give up!!!

    Enjoy every second when you sit back and enjoy this one of a kind piece of artwork YOU designed and made!!!!!!!

  8. Yea! I thought the desk would be finished first. What I beautiful surprise..down hill from here! Celebrate this weekend. You deserve to!

  9. I just cannot stop scrolling back n forth at it….before during and finished!
    FAB YOOOOOO LOUS!!!! OMG….I LOVE IT!!!

    1. This light is so beautiful. I thought of peacock feathers when you started. It is even more beautiful than I imagined it could be. I hope the light comes through really bright.
      Only thing I would have loved seeing it with the wallpaper in the back ground, to see the color compliments. But a great job.

  10. I almost can’t believe what I am seeing. Your pendant light is perfect and unique. Yep, I know you can count on there never being another one like it anywhere. Your amazing idea turned into a beautiful work of art. Kristi YOU are one of a kind too.

  11. One of a kind for sure and just beautiful. The photo picks up all the colors from the resin poster and of course the cabinets. Great job and it was worth it

  12. I have to admit, I was skeptical…..thought it would look ‘tacky’…..but IT’S BEAUTIFUL & I love it!!! Well done!

  13. Could you take a picture from some distance so we can see the overall effect up until this point?

    The lamp looks great.

      1. Thanks, Kristi. That second picture didn’t load at first, but now several hours later this time it did. I am in a hotel far from home. Internet is a little slow.

  14. It turned out gorgeous. Oh my it’s beautiful. I would have thrown my hands up ages ago and just said the ugly word. 🙂 You are full of patience. Your room just keeps getting better and better.

  15. Whoa! STUNNING!! You are blessed with an infatigable amount of patience to see your visions come true. That lampshade is so pretty!

  16. It’s gorgeous! You have amazing vison, not to mention perseverance. It’s especially stunning with the light on. I would be getting up repeatedly in the night just to see it illuminated in the dark!

  17. That is awesome! I absolutely would never turn the light off! It is so stunning with the light shining through. Great job, Kristi!

  18. WOW – just wow. I really love it with the light on; it’s absolutely stunning. Kristi, you’re amazing!

  19. Oh my. What a work of art! I know you will love it for years to come. It was such an endeavor. You must have an overwhelming sense of accomplishment as well as relief at finally having it done. I salute you!

  20. I just love how this came out; it’s so much better than what I was picturing when you proposed it. The colors are fabulous. Sadly I lack the patience to cut, sand and paint 1700 spoons.

  21. ABSOLUTELY FABULOUS!!!!!! I am in love with it! Your work is always gorgeous! I wish I had half your talent!

  22. OMGosh, Kristie! Could that be any more amazing, magnificent, and beautiful! Your talent and vision are truly limitless! I absolutely love it!

  23. I would never get any work done in that room. I would just sit and look at all the pretty things! This room is a work of art!

  24. OMG! This turned out stunning. It does like like a very colorful bird’s feathers. Your stamina and perseverance is in the extraordinary realm. Pat yourself on the back many times for this Kristi, you deserve it.

  25. That made my mouth drop to the floor. You are such a talented artist! I love it so much, I can’t imagine what it looks like in person. Great job!

  26. WOW….it’s stunning!
    SO colorful, SO unique, SO you!!!
    Kristi, you have incredible vision, commitment and perseverance.
    You’re such an inspiration to us all.
    Well done!!

  27. Picking my jaw up off the ground. Holy smokes! I knew it would be good but not this good! What a masterpiece. Your neck is going to be hurting from constantly staring up at it. Haha.

  28. YES! It is unique and beautiful…a total work of art. But then again, your entire studio is almost all that and more. You must be so pleased, and you HAVE to be looking at it all day off and on. I think it’s the first thing I would see coming into that room. It is going to be so nice over your new desk…enjoy!

  29. Stunning! Absolutely stunning! I love it! It is perfect in your room over your desk. I can’t wait to see the desk finished and the light over it. All your hard work and patience has paid off!

  30. Kristi I love this!! I don’t know how you managed to make the colours in the light and on the resin pieces match so beautifully but you did. I love it when you show it with the resin piece behind it. You have a God given talent and you are using it!! Way to go girl!! God bless.

  31. I love the feather effect – it is most surprising and very beautiful! And I think it was a definite plus that you omitted the darker colours, the finished lamp looks like and happy and simply wonderful! I hope dusting it will not turn into a tedious job.