Way back in November, I attempted a wire version of the Moooi Random pendant. I failed miserably. After my failure, I brainstormed other DIY lighting options. Then we got busy finishing our laundry room and my quest for a cool light fell to the back burner. Ben bought a 250 foot roll of iron-on wood veneer edging for our laundry room shelving and drawers. We tried it on one drawer and hated it. Having used some of the roll, we couldn’t return it. What’s a DIY gal in need of a light to do? Use the otherwise unusable veneer to create a light, of course.
So, I gathered supplies.
A hot glue gun, scissors, small clips and the veneer. I also bought a ceiling canopy and socket kit, just like the ones I used to make my coffee filter pendant, from Home Depot.
As my glue gun was heating up, I looped a piece of veneer until I liked the size, which is about the final size of the fixture. Cut the end and cut about 20 more of the same length. Overlap the ends slightly, about 1 inch, apply a large pea sized dollop of hot glue. Press the ends in place until the glue has dried. If you attempt this and use iron-on veneer, the heat from the glue will start to melt the glue backing. This isn’t a problem, just something to be aware of. If any hot glue seeps out, wait a few seconds, then peel the glue away.
Glue the ends together of about 15 strips. Now the fun begins. Start by overlapping two circles, perpendicular to one another. Glue at both touch points.
Continue gluing, overlapping to create a random pattern. Bend the veneer circles to fit in the holes. They’ll pop back into shape.
Make a smaller fitting triangle for the socket to fit into. I marked mine with a small clip. This will help keep visible seams toward the top, out of sight. When your sphere starts getting full, it will be more difficult to place the circles inside. At this point, start weaving your strips through the light to fill any large gaps. Be sure to leave at least one gap that is large enough to get your hand and a bulb in, though.
Cut a piece of coordinating cardstock for your socket. Mark a circle at the center and cut a slit from one side to the center. Place your socket in to keep the socket from shifting. This is a super simple, cool (I think so, anyway. Ha!) light. It took me less than two hours from beginning to installation. Baby breaks and all. Stay tuned for pictures of the light installed.
Anyone interested in giving it a try? Or another DIY light? Maybe you’ve already tried one. Care to share some pictures? Head on over to our Facebook page to show off your hard work.
ourhumbleabodeblog.com 
Do you plan on adding more strips to it, or is that the final project?
We’ve added more strips. That was the last’progress’ shot I had. You’ll see it looks more full in the final reveal post. 🙂
Looks great so far! Can’t wait to see it!
Thanks, Cait! Stay tuned for the final reveal. 🙂
Can’t wait for your next posting on this project.
– Joy
Hey random question… I see you have 2 of the Dolce slipper chairs. How do you like them so far and how are they holding up with the three boys? We’re looking into getting a couple of chairs for our living room and I wanted to know if they were a good investment since they’re such an awesome deal. Be as honest as possible, thanks!
Hi Hilary,
I do like the Dolce chairs, especially for the price. We’ve had them for almost two years and the only sings of wear are stains from Vincent’s milk cup. I’m sure if we had them steam cleaned they would be gone. Or if I were really ambitious, I could make slip covers. Really though, I think they’re great and surprisingly comfy. And, if you decide you don’t want them in that room anymore, they’re very versatile, you could easily put it to good used in another room. That’s my 100% honest consumer report. I think you should go for it!
Thanks!
Amanda
Thanks for the encouragement, I placed the order for two- they’re on sale plus free shipping. I’m feeling good.
Yeah, glad I can help. And if they’re on sale with free shipping, it’s icing on the cake, er, chair. But don’t put icing on your chair, it may stain. And then you’d be in my boat. Ha.
How neat!
Hey Amanda, you were featured on AT again! Congrats!
I like this a lot! I cant wait to see the final product!
Brilliant idea. I can’t wait to see it finished!
awesome idea! I think I might have to ‘borrow’ this one. Where di you get the roll of veneer?
-your ‘neighbor’ over at Layla’s link party : )
Thanks Ginger and Liz! Liz, if you ‘borrow’ it, please share pics of yours on our Facebook page. We got the veneer from a local store, but I’m 99% sure they sell it at Lowes or Home Depot. Oh, I love your box, too!
Thanks!
Amanda
Nice! Can’t wait to see it up and running!
That name–Moooi Random pendant–makes me giggle. Where do they come up with this stuff?
Thanks, Erin! I don’t know where the name came from, but the three O’s really threw me for a loop!
Helllo there, I have seen this kind of pendant for a while now and wanted to try it. I might just have to give it a shot this weekend. Thanks for the great pics.
http://www.becado.blogspot.com
Hi Beatrice,
That’s great! I’d love to see pics if you make one, maybe you could share on our Facebook page?
Good luck!
Amanda
I absolutely LOVE this! IT looks so great!
By the way, I want you to know that I am totally impressed with you! You get some much done with little kids…HOW?!?
Anyway, I would love to have you come do a special guest post about this on my blog Remodelaholic if you are interested, let me know, I will send you the details!
Thanks, Cassity
Hi Cassity,
Thank you so much for you sweet comments! I’m blushing over here. We seem to get things done in spurts, but Vincent is actually really interested in the home improvement process, so he’s usually content to watch or play with what I’m doing while Everett sleeps.
And, I’d be honored to do a guest post about this light!
Thanks again!
Amanda
Ingenious mind at work! Pure fabulousness!
Hi, this looks great, and I would love to try and do something similar but the vaneer at home depot all has that glue on the backing and it would look odd…can you tell me where you got it from? Thanks,Rita
Hi Rita,
The veneer I used also has the glue on the backing. I don’t think it’s very noticeable, though. You might be able to search for wood veneer strips online to see what you can find. Sorry I couldn’t help more.
Good luck!
Amanda
I’ve been obsessed with this type of pendant for awhile now and was going to make one using wooden embroidery rings but when I searched for a good DIY using them, I found your blog. That one is spectacular!!!
Did you ever post a picture of the finished light? I did not see it…