Up-cycled Mason Jar Chandelier Fit For a Homestead

 My husband made me this up-cycled Mason jar chandelier out of....

....this cheap 1990s chandelier that came with our 1975 trailer house. I've hated this thing ever since I moved in and decided I needed in a new chandelier. I couldn't afford the vintage looking ones I was originally looking at, so I got the idea to try to turn it into Mason jar chandelier. Josiah (my 12 year old son) helped me see that we could get the wire rack holding the prisms off so we could somehow attach the Mason jars onto the lights.

 My husband took the whole thing apart and painted all the gold a nice light yellow that matches my '75 trailer appliances. So glad this color is coming back in and it looks great with the blue jars. I told him to hang the pieces from my clothesline, which worked great.

I bought these vintage colored blue Mason jars on Amazon for around $20. I know I could have got a better deal if I'd looked around more, but I didn't want to wait. Oh well, $20 for a new chandelier plus a $4 can of spray paint was super cheap compared to the prices I was looking at for a new one.

 We also spray painted the lids. Michael put all the wiring back together, and then we put the bulbs in and simply screwed the jars to the lids. We didn't even have to use glue! The small-mouth lids were the perfect size to grip the chandelier cups from the bottom.

Now all we have to do to change a light bulb is unscrew the jar from the lid. So simple!

Hailey was in mourning over the loss of our ugly dining room chandelier, so I told her we could take the wire holding the prisms and make it work on her bedroom light fixture. She got to pick her color of spray paint and hung it up by a string from the clothesline and went to town with the spray paint. 

Her ugly, cheap light cover is gone and in its place is a little girl's dream chandelier. Sweet! I avoided that crisis! She was thrilled and I ended up with two upcycled chandeliers out of the old ugly one. Can't beat that!

Before I throw something away, I'm really trying to think if there is something fun, cute or useful I could use it for. The TV show on Netflix called "Flea Market Flip" has been my inspiration. My kids can help me see new uses, too. 

Still in love with spray paint! Hailey and I are going to start spray painting lots of items in the kids' bathroom next. We're bringing life to this old place one can of spray paint at a time!  

Blessings,

Jackie

Nov/Dec 2016 Homestead Happenings

Life keeps happening at lightening speed on Mission Rd. Homestead. Michael was gone for three weeks to the Balkans with the National Guard. The picture above was taken at the airport just before he flew out. He was able to see some of Lithuania and Romania. He decided boiled pig's ear wasn't he favorite food, but everything else was pretty good. We missed him terribly, but keeping busy helps the time of separation go faster. We were grateful he was able to be home in time for Christmas!

 Before he left, he was able to get the new laminate flooring put down in the living room.  You don't even know how much I prefer it to the 40 year old carpet!!!

Awe, so much better!!! 

I got inspired from some home decorating shows on Netflix and decided to try my hand at spray painting and then distressing. Somebody stop me!!! I was spray painting all kinds of things, including wastebaskets, planters and laundry baskets. I'm going to redo my chandelier next. 

 This is my favorite piece. I bought this beat up old coffee table at an estate sale for $5. I spray painted it and then paid $35 for new glass to be put in it. I found some Chess board scrapbook paper online that I put it under the glass and the kids now I have a piece that serves multiple functions in the livingroom. It is smaller than my other coffee table which makes the room look so much bigger! BTW, the rug underneath it is one that Michael bought me when he was deployed to Iraq awhile ago.

Rina's first pic with Santa. She lasted long enough to kind of smile, pull Santa's beard and then proceeded to freak out. At least I got one decent pic!

Just before Thanksgiving, my dad, who just had another hip replacement surgery a few months before, fell while feeding cattle and shattered his femur. It was a very scary time for our family. God got him through and has provided all kinds of help for him as he recovers. He is doing well, healing slowly and being very careful. Below is a pic of how they had to wire his shattered leg back together during surgery. He also had to have muscles reattached. We are so thankful he is on the mend and not is so much pain!

We continued our tradition of carolling with our local homeschool group at a local nursing home. This gal was 100+ years of age and was thrilled to get to hold Rina. It was a precious time!

We decided to do a "Little House on the Prairie" themed tree this year. Mostly handmade ornaments. The kids made popcorn and cranberry garland. Instead of a star, I used my parasol. I didn't take a pic of the bottom of my tree because we had to move all the decorations up due to a sweet little lady who is now old enough to pull all the ornaments/lights off the tree.   

Christmas time rolled around before we knew it and Michael's folks came up for a visit. Rina got lots of snuggles from her Grandma Kay.

And lots of smiles and teasing from her Grandpa Ernie, who would never in a million years admit that he is a baby person. But trust me, he is!!!

 The kids with their stockings Christmas morning! My stepmom, Diana, has made each kid their patriotic stockings and she happened to have enough material left over to make our surprise baby one, too. I was thrilled that all the kids get matching stockings!!! I can't tell you how much I adore this picture.

Hailey wanted to make sure I had a lot of stuff in my stocking this year. She bought all this scrapbooking stuff for me with her own money. What a darlin' to make sure mama was thought of, too. 

 My folks joined us for Christmas brunch and more Rina snuggles.

We found this sign for Michael to go into his shop. So him!

My camera was accidentally broken by one of the kids, but God blessed me with a better camera and I had fun trying it out Christmas morning. Rina tuckered out in the middle of opening presents. I love this pic!

Josiah was thrilled to receive a whole bunch of Boy Scout equipment from all of us. 

 Second round! Just give her a box and a doll and she is happy!

Went to my mom's house for Christmas dinner and took some pics by her tree. Rina's Christmas dress was so cute! I love hand-me-downs! Didn't get this pic quite in focus, but I still love it.

Finally a good family Christmas pic!!! 

 Rina's first Christmas couldn't have been better. We are so blessed to have this little gal in our midst! She is truly the cherry on top of our family tree.

We ended December with a visit from my sister and all six of her kids. We hung out at my mom's house for New Year's Eve. It is always fun when they get to come up for a visit. My nieces and nephews adore Rina, and I so enjoy watching them love on her.

We look forward to seeing what 2016 brings us. I'm sure it will be filled with adventure, love, heartache and uncertainty, but through it all we will continue to cling to Christ's promises for us in His precious Word. May we live for Jesus this year, more than last year. May we press in closer to Him and be attuned to His will for our lives. Lord, let us be lights shining brighter for You with every year that passes by.

Happy 2016, Everyone!!!

God Bless,
Jackie