DIY Antler Chandelier?

[npaden]

So we've done some recent decorating and my wife shockingly said to me the other day - "I really think we should take some of the sheds laying around and make a couple of chandeliers with them, one over the dining room table and one in the old piano room". (We recently sold our baby grand piano that she can't play anymore).

I've watched a few YouTube videos of people making some of these and it goes from easy and ugly to extravagant and awesome and so far I've not seen much in between. I'm not looking to create some $10,000 chandelier, but would at least like something decent. I would have thought that folks would have some type of setup with LEDs, but most of the ones I'm seeing are still old school wires and bulbs.

Anyone done this and have some recommendations? Do I need to use my best antlers or can I mix in some mediocre ones and stain them? One guy I watched started out with some really nice sheds, then stripped off a lot of the color with a buffer and then stained them all the same color.

A few that I've seen that look decent have a mix of elk and deer. Some have just deer. Anyone have pictures of some that they really like that I could look to mimic?

Thanks in advance for any input or direction on where to look to start something like this.

Thanks, Nathan

 

[Hem]

So many of them up at Big Sky its turned tacky.
But none of those posers actually hunt.

 

[mtmuley]

So many of them up at Big Sky its turned tacky.
But none of those posers actually hunt.

We actually remove a lot of them. Some go in the dump trailer. Some I've taken apart. Personally, I wouldn't have one. mtmuley

 

[Dave N]

Mule deer. Bought many years ago on ebay before prices got crazy.

 

[Lmartin5]

Mule deer. Bought many years ago on ebay before prices got crazy.

View attachment 401559
View attachment 401560
View attachment 401561

I like it!

 

[squirrel]

Use screws, nothing else. You will need a large pile of antlers to find a matched few, everything has to balance and match color. I.E you need a wheelbarrow of all grade #1 fresh to get a 10-12 antler chandelier out of them that looks the same and balances when hung. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder but to my eye you shouldn't mix species, although for huge elk chandeliers using deer at junctions can be really strong and not look too bad. All junctions have to be triangulated or the antler will "rock" if only screwed twice. More is OK but never fewer than 3. It is all about camouflaging your mistakes and the wiring, that's the difference between a hack job and quality work, it is a learning process doing a beautiful piece as your first try would be rare IMO. Ive made 100's of 'em and still picking up improvements in components and techniques. Your chandelier MUST fit the space it lights. Tiny chandeliers in huge rooms look dumb, Huge chandeliers that intrude on head room are even worse. Form flows function, # and wattage of bulbs same.

 

[Rack Daniels]

Use screws, nothing else. You will need a large pile of antlers to find a matched few, everything has to balance and match color. I.E you need a wheelbarrow of all grade #1 fresh to get a 10-12 antler chandelier out of them that looks the same and balances when hung. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder but to my eye you shouldn't mix species, although for huge elk chandeliers using deer at junctions can be really strong and not look too bad. All junctions have to be triangulated or the antler will "rock" if only screwed twice. More is OK but never fewer than 3. It is all about camouflaging your mistakes and the wiring, that's the difference between a hack job and quality work, it is a learning process doing a beautiful piece as your first try would be rare IMO. Ive made 100's of 'em and still picking up improvements in components and techniques. Your chandelier MUST fit the space it lights. Tiny chandeliers in huge rooms look dumb, Huge chandeliers that intrude on head room are even worse. Form flows function, # and wattage of bulbs same.



View attachment 401612

Any up-close photos showing fastening or wiring?
Beautiful room

 

[2rocky]

If I had more shed antlers to choose from, I might feel differently. But antler chandeliers have always felt “try hard” to me.
I think squirrels trophy room. There is the perfect application for an antler chandelier.
Getting the piece to be balanced, will be the biggest challenge since antlers, even a match set are not perfect mirror images of one another.

I like your idea of LED lights and I would incorporate some elements of either kerosene lanterns or hurricane lamps. There are some fantastic battery operated candles add a flicker element.

Whatever you do, it will be one of a kind unique piece. I would not get wrapped up in making it perfect because I know if I did this project I would and it would ruin the experience for me.

I would explore the wireless battery operated options with a remote then you don’t have to deal with hiding wires

I’m eager to see what you come up with