Cut Out + Keep

Ceiling Fan Fandangles

ENHANCING THE COMMON CEILING FAN

https://www.cutoutandkeep.net/projects/ceiling-fan-fandangles • Posted by SuzNTX

If your home is filled with ceiling fans as is ours, and you are a crafty person, you might enjoy making a few FANDANGLES. They are a simple, quick, fun way to embellish the pull chain portion of your fans. Here are photos of 2 that I added to our utility room fan (note the energy efficient bulbs!):

You will need

Project Budget
Reasonably Priced

Time

1 h 00

Difficulty

So-so
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Description

If your home is filled with ceiling fans as is ours, and you are a crafty person, you might enjoy making a few FANDANGLES. They are a simple, quick, fun way to embellish the pull chain portion of your fans. Here are photos of 2 that I added to our utility room fan (note the energy efficient bulbs!):

Instructions

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    SUPPLIES NEEDED: An item to use as a focal piece--possibilities: old earrings, ornaments, charms

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    Various beads and/or crystals

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    Needle-nosed pliers and wire cutters

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    Beading wire, crimp beads, and ball chain

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    This great little device: ball chain coupling and ball chain connectors.

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    I was able to find the chain, couplings, and connectors at my local Ace Hardware store.

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    Choose your focal piece for your Fandangle. For this demonstration, I decided I wanted to use the lovely emerald green charm from the bracelet pictured previously. Using the pliers, I separated the charm from the bracelet's chain:

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    Using the wire cutters, cut off 8-10" of beading wire (more if you are making an extra long Fandangle).

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    Slide 2 crimp beads, then your chosen focal piece onto the beading wire.

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    Thread the wire back through the crimp beads, sliding the crimp beads down close to the focal piece.

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    Using the pliers, press (crimp) and secure the crimp beads in position:

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    Arrange your chosen beads and crystals, adding them to the wire: Optional: After using these in various spots around the house, I did find that the coupling could actually cut through the beading wire if family members repeatedly gripped the beaded portion of the Fandangle, instead of the actual chain portion, for making fan adjustments. I found these little gadgets that seem to add extra strength and help to prolong the life of the Fandangle. If you choose to not incorporate them in your designs, be sure to emphasize to users/recipients to not pull on the beaded portion of the Fandangle.

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    As in Step 3, add 2 crimp beads and the coupling (with optional stringing thimble in place) to the beading wire, then pull the wire back through the crimp beads and a few of the first beads.

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    Remove any slack from the wire, press (crimp) and secure the crimp beads in place then trim off any excess wire.

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    Decide how long you will need the ball chain, cut it to length, attach one end to the coupling, and add a connector to the opposite end.

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    Your Fandangle is now complete--just add it to the pull chain of your ceiling fan!

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    This is how the blue rhinestone brooch FANDANGLE came together:

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    Add a fun tag and it is ready for gift giving!