How To Make Deer Antler Lamps

How To Make Deer Antler Lamps

How to Make Deer Antler Chandeliers
By Jennifer Waller - Ezinearticles

Deer antler chandeliers are becoming an extremely popular style of chandelier. Many people who have rustic homes or cabins like the feel the chandelier adds to their home. The antler chandeliers have been used in hunting lodges and vacation cottages for many years and really lend a dramatic effect to a large area. As their popularity grew so did the number of manufacturers who began constructing and selling the antler chandeliers. In addition to deer antlers they also use elk and moose antlers to create the chandeliers.

Since there are a great number of people who hunt deer, many of these manufacturers offer custom created chandeliers using the antlers you may have from your hunt. You can also find antlers if you are in an area where there are deer, moose or elk. The animals routinely shed the antlers to make way for new growth. Many of the real animal antler chandeliers are made from these animal shed antlers. If you have antlers you can actually create your own antler chandelier.

You can purchase kits for building chandeliers. The kits should come complete with all the wiring you will need to construct your antler chandelier. It's best to use antlers that are uniform in size when choosing antlers for your chandelier. Clean the antlers as thoroughly as you possibly can. For cleaning, using an oil soap works well with a clean soft cloth. You're going to need a drill and some light bulb adapters to construct your chandelier. You will also need a chandelier base which you can get from a used chandelier.

You will need to drill a hole in the tip of an antler. This is going to be where you will place the light bulb adapter and the bulb. You will repeat this procedure for as many lights as you want to have your chandelier hold. Try to keep them uniformly spaced to get an even lighting effect. When this step is completed you can coat the antlers with a low sheen polyurethane product to preserve them from decaying. Use a good quality brush for coating the antlers evenly.

To attach the antlers to the base, drill holes in the sides of the antlers nearest to where the base will be connected. You will want to connect the two sets of antlers to each other by using a strong wire to run through the holes. Do this several times to pull the antlers together into the shape of your chandelier. For added strength you can also solder the wires holding the antlers together. Attach the antlers to the base of your chandelier and you will be all set to hang them. Make sure your wiring is UL certified and follow the proper procedures for hanging light fixtures.

How To Make Deer Antler Lamps