DIY mason jar chandelier

I’ve seen many versions of the elusive “mason jar chandelier” and they’ve all peaked my interest. Could I make my contemporary/traditional chandelier into something with more character? YES.

This is the original chandelier (I already had taken one of the shades off):

First it was time to unscrew the lightbulbs and the lock nuts.

Get your jars and new bulbs ready! I recommend bent tip standard chandelier bulbs for a glimmering effect.

Start to screw the new bulbs in place:

Take each of the lids off and remove the center, rescrewing the circle top back on. Rest the jars over each bulb. You may want to put back the center of the lids and drill holes in them before you put them on (for more security).

 Here’s my finished product:

An eclectic addition to my little cottage 🙂

fave link of the month- the decorator tool via anthropologie.com

Yes I realize that it’s still March, and we already had a FLM with Etsy… but I couldn’t wait, anthro just launched this!

Anthropologie is in the top 5 favorite stores of my LIFE and now they just announced a new addition to their site: The Decorator.

It’s got tips, tools and other cool stuff like my personal favorite, DIY hardware. I highly recommend playing around a bit with this when you get a chance. You get to try out knobs and handles without even stepping foot in the store!

Oh man, just stumbled across these adorable tiffany blue cabinet handles. They would perfectly match our dining chairs!

Ok… I have to leave this site before I get in trouble.

it’s the little things…

I love that term.  I’ve always been most excited by the little things in life.  A coffee, a hug, a sunset drive with the hubs… ahhh.

Anyway, I’m OBSESSED with our new Baldwin crystal doorknob.  This beauty is on the master bathroom door and it goes so well with the elegant and vintage feel of the room.

Disclaimer: our door is unpainted and dirty and marked up (hoping that will change soon with the help of my handy hubby), but I wanted to get a bright close up:

Slapping this bad boy on was a little bitty task that gave me a whole lotta joy.

I’m convinced, it’s the little things that matter.

a tea party fit for a princess

My sweet friend Karis hosted a super cute “Princess Tea Party” themed birthday celebration for her daughter Ella this past weekend. It was absolutely adorable, and Karis did it all herself!

Check out these details.

The tags that Karis handmade are my favorite touch:

These cupcakes tasted as good as they look:

Sheets of scrapbook paper for placemats? GENUIS!

Karis will have a party planning website up soon.  Stay tuned to Modern Marthas for more to come from this talented chick!

fave link of the month- etsy.com

If you don’t know about this FLM, today is your day of reckoning.

Etsy is the end-all be-all of handcrafted and vintage goodness.  Secret time. I myself had an Etsy shop last year.  I made some crafts. I even got a few sales!  My free time grew scarce and I couldn’t keep up with it any longer, but I will definitely be a shopper for life even if I can’t be a seller.

Check out this cute and sleek piece of work from a new Etsy shop I stumbled upon,  Frillychilidesign:

Isn’t this headband from the Etsy shop of  Brittany Chavers Studio absolutely darling?! 

I love the vintage design, and I’m a huge fan of flowers in the hair.  Plus I have an obsession with lace.  So fabulously feminine.

Speaking of vintage, I did mention that Etsy sells actual old vintage items too, right?

This dress from the Jumblelaya shop is amazing:

I feel like I should be wearing this while welcoming the hubs at the door when he arrives from work.  The epitome of a 50’s era housewife.  “Honey, I’m home!”

I could go on and on… and on. And. on.

Etsy rocks my socks off.