How to Make a Hanging Branch Chandelier

Looking for the perfect addition to your holiday party decor? Try a chandelier fashioned from a plain old branch and beautiful dried flowers. With a little embellishment, a piece of yard junk can become something gorgeous. It’s also an affordable holiday update — the branch is free, the other materials inexpensive — that can last throughout the holiday season. Want to make your own at home? I’ve got you covered. Read on.

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The first step: Find the right branch. Find one that’s lightweight and relatively dry, but not brittle. For an 8-foot dining table, we used a branch that spanned about six feet. Look for a piece with several smaller limbs that branch out relatively quickly. Once you find “the one,” give it a dusting with spray paint in the color of your choice — I used white, but any metallic hue would look fantastic, too.

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Next, let’s talk flowers. We used dried celosia from a local farmer (try local flower farms, florists or online sources) to give this chandelier its vibrant plum hue. Using just one type of flower keeps this piece simple enough that it doesn’t compete with the rest of the table setting.
To assemble the chandelier, cut the stem of each flower about 1 inch from the bloom using garden clippers. Tie on a length of green embroidery floss. Then, cover the end of the flower stem with a layer of floral tape to create a stem-like look.

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We hung the branch with removable hooks and fishing line before tying on the flowers at different heights. Here’s how the chandelier looks with its friends on the dining table:

Jason Kisner, 2013, DIY Network/Scripps Networks, LLC. All Rights Reserved.