Each time an out of town friend wows me with one of her thrift store finds, I can’t help but feel a little jealous. Vintage and thrift store shopping has really become such a way of life in Austin, that it’s usually pretty slim pickings around here. Everyone wants that awesome stuff that was totally up for grabs just 5 or 6 years ago.
So when my friend Jennifer Rizzo asked me to participate in a blog thrift store trade with some of my favorite bloggers, I couldn’t possibly say no. And then when I found out it was Kelly from Eclectically Vintage who would be sending me something for that she found at a thrift store, I almost died.
And then her box arrived. Y’all.
I mean, woah, right? A wooden cheese plate and dome. A wood-look ice bucket. A hand cut Elvis silhouette. We know how I love Elvis. And silhouettes.
Well, Elvis has a place of honor on my astroturf chevron wall. I accidentally deleted the photos I took of it from my camera (ugggggghhhhhh), so I’ll have to take some more and show you another day. I worked on a fun project with the cheese plate, but it turned into a huge craft fail. I’ll show you that one later, too. It will certainly be good for a laugh.
But that ice bucket. It is the stuff dreams are made of.
I (only halfway jokingly) thought about using it as a purse. And then, I thought more seriously about making it a planter. But then, I decided that it was the perfect shape for a pendant light. I had been wanting to replace the chandelier over my kitchen sink – I still love it, but it doesn’t really match the style of my home anymore (it’s up for grabs now if any of you Austin area folks are interested).
I knew I could turn the ice bucket into a pendant by drilling a hole in the bottom of it for the light socket to fit. The problem would lie in the fact that it wouldn’t be easy to balance because of the weight of the ice bucket handle. I taped the handle to the side of the bucket where I would want it to go, and then I found the center of the bottom and marked it with a piece of tape.
Because the bucket is heavier on the side with the handle, I drilled a small hole slightly off center toward the handle side. Then, I stuck a small nail through he hole so that I could pick it up to see if it would hang evenly. I had to drill a few holes to get the hole in the right place. Let’s all be glad that I’m not building bridges or something.
Once I figured out the center, I cut a hole large enough for a light socket to fit into. I used a drill to make some large holes, and then I used an X-Acto knife to even it out. I made sure the hole was large enough that I could slide the socket around if I needed to in order to balance it once the light was hanging (like we did with the DIY drum light).
Pretty, huh? Don’t worry – no one will ever see the top. Except you right now. So quit looking!
I bought this turquoise cloth cord swag kit from World Market (also comes in red, lime green, white and silver) to use to convert the fixture.
I secured the socket into the ice bucket and cut the cord to the length I wanted the light fixture to hang.
Then, I used super glue to attach the handle to the side of the bucket and wired it to the ceiling using a canopy kit I have been saving for years (I think it originally came from Home Depot).
I also used a LED light bulb inside of it so that it wouldn’t get hot. Since the bucket is insulated, I was worried that an incandescent bulb would get too hot and become dangerous. I’ve been leaving it on for a few hours and sticking my hand inside of it to test for heat – so far, there has been none, but I’m still going to keep my eye on it.
My new light fixture reminds me of a modern light from the 1960s. I’m just thrilled that Kelly sent it to me. Thanks, girl!
Now, head over to see what I sent to Monica from East Coast Creative. It was really hard for me to part with it, so I can’t wait to see what she’s done with it.
Want to see more of the thrift store trade projects? Here’s the full list of everyone who participated:
Jennifer Rizzo
Funky Junk Interiors
My Sweet Savannah
My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia
Four Generations One Roof
Home Stories A to Z
Today’s Creative Blog
Jeanne Oliver Designs
French Country Cottage
Finding Home
The Inspired Room
The Handmade Home
Eclectically Vintage
Makely School for Girls
East Coast Creative
Infarrantly Creative
At Home on the Bay
Thistlewood Farms
Serendipity Refined
At the Picket Fence
Not Just a Housewife
Thanks to Jennifer Rizzo for the fabulous idea!
Gina says
You did exactly what I told Kelly I’d do with the ice bucket.
Lindsay Ballard says
Great minds thing alike!!
Jennifer Rizzo says
That’s pretty like..umm. SUPER AWESOME. I love how it looks in your space! thanks for contributing your talent to the party!
Lindsay Ballard says
Thanks, Jennifer! And thank you for inviting me to be a part of the party – I loved it!
Laura @ Finding Home says
Wow – you really brought it! Love it and I can’t wait to see the Elvis picture!
Lindsay Ballard says
Thanks, Laura! I couldn’t believe that I deleted my pictures. I’ve only done that one other time in the last 5 years.
Beth@HomeStoriesAtoZ says
You super creative girl, you! Love it!
Lindsay Ballard says
Thanks, Beth!
Kelly @ Eclectically Vintage says
The King would be proud – I am just a little jealous and mad at myself to have parted with that bucket – but since you created something head over heels better than what I could have ever done – it deserves to live in your kitchen!
Kelly
Lindsay Ballard says
Oh, I love it so much. Can’t wait to reshoot the Elvis!!
mary@athomeonthebay says
That is a super creative idea! Love it!
Lindsay Ballard says
Thanks so much, Mary!
Stacy Risenmay says
It is perfect! Wow, you really did hit the thrifting gift box lottery! Great find 🙂
Lindsay Ballard says
I sure did hit the lottery, Stacy! Thanks, girl!
Diana says
This is pretty awesome, I love how you turned something so ordinary into something amazing!
PS. … stopping by from East Coast Creative, I’m their blog assistant! 🙂
Lindsay Ballard says
Hey Diana! Thanks!!
Funky Junk Interiors says
“So quit looking!” BHAHHAAAH! Only you would make this ice bucket SING Lindsay! It’s perfect for your home! Loved your post! 🙂
Lindsay Ballard says
LOL! Thanks, Donna!
Cindy Lyon says
I love the light fixture! That is a very clever use of the ice bucket.
Lindsay Ballard says
Thank you, Cindy!
Melissa Michaels says
Ooo, the new light looks amazing!! Nice job Lindsay! 🙂 xoxo Melissa
Lindsay Ballard says
Thanks, Melissa!
kristin says
OK that is crazy awesome! Love it!
XO
Kristin
Lindsay Ballard says
Thank you so much, Kristin!
Dee Williamson says
Saw this on Instagram, and I love it even more that I read about how you did it.
Lindsay Ballard says
Thank you, Dee!
Shirley@Housepitality Designs says
Crazy Creative!!!…it is so fantastic!…
Lindsay Ballard says
Thank you, Shirley!
ashley @ the handmade home says
Can I haz Elvis? LOVE the light!
Lindsay Ballard says
Hanz off, sister! 😉 Thanks, Ash!
Debra @ MsMoozys Open House says
That is great! I love it. Thanks for sharing. 🙂
Lindsay Ballard says
Thank you, Debra!
Barb Hudson says
I am a first time visitor to your blog (referred by Kelly @ Eclectically Vintage. As you might like to know where your new “fans” come from – I live on the southern tip of Vancouver Island, in Victoria on the west coast of Canada. Love your blog and will visit often. Very creative with the ice bucket – personally, wish I lived in the Austin area as I love the chandy you are replacing. Cheers …barby
Lindsay Ballard says
Thanks so much, Barby! So glad you found me!
jessica @fourgenerationsoneroof says
omg omg omg that is so (as we say in Boston) wicked awesome!!!!~
Lindsay Ballard says
Ha! Thanks, Jessica!
Maura says
Nice light, I love what you did with the ice bucket… and I’ll be back to check out Elvis on astroturf!
How heavy is your old light? It would look so amazing in my sunroom… I don’t suppose we could work out a way to ship it to CO?
Lindsay Ballard says
Hey Maura! It’s not really all that heavy. I’ll weigh it later today and send you an email!
Cheryl @ Artzzle says
Hi. I follow Thistlewood Farms and am going down the list from there. This is a great project . . . but can’t wait to see what you’ve done with the other stuff too!
Lindsay Ballard says
Thanks, Cheryl! And thanks for visiting!
Sandra at Thistle Cove Farm says
Brilliant!
Lindsay Ballard says
Thanks so much, Sandra!
Shelli says
Love the light! Found you on pinterest. I actually just scored a cheese plate and glad at half of day at the thrift store and haven’t decided what to do with it, but couldn’t pass it up!
Amanda says
Very nice! Pendant lighting can add great visual style to a room. This pendant light is looking awesome. Thanks for sharing.