• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Keeping it Simple

creating simple crafts, DIY, recipes and more

  • About Me
  • Advertise
  • Buttons
  • Contact Me
  • Privacy Policy
  • Tutorials
  • Home Decor & DIY
  • Recipes
  • Holiday Crafts
  • Gaming & Geek Crafts
  • Printables
  • Kids Crafts
  • Sewing
  • Vinyl Crafts

Turquoise Pendant Lights – How to Dye Light Shades

September 16, 2015 by Kaysi 40 Comments

I have said this before and I’m sure I’m going to say it again, I love my house.  It’s been a great house for us these past 16 months.  There are some things that I don’t love about my house though and one this is the builder’s grade lights.  They are just so plain and generic (plus everyone on my block has them). I have switched out a few lights (and plan to do more).  We have these two pendant lights over our bar.  I love the pendants lights but I don’t love the shades.  I have always wanted to get some fun and funky lights for them but I couldn’t find ones that I absolutely loved (that weren’t $70+ each).  What I really wanted were some fun turquoise pendant lights but I just didn’t find anything. So I decided that I need to take matters into my own hands.  I decided to dye our lights turquoise.  And guess what, they look awesome!  The best part, it cost me ZERO DOLLARS!!!  Yup, I had all the supplies on hand (and I bet you do too).  And it only took about 5 minutes to do, you can’t beat that!  Want to know how I did it?  Well I’ll tell you :).

turquoise-pendant-light-how-to-dye-a-light-shade

Here is our kitchen before.  See how the lights are kinda dull and boring? Not for long!
House pictures 8-30-14 (25)
This is how I did it:
I took off the light shades, cleaned them and dried them.
turquoise-pendant-light-how-to-dye-a-light-shade (1)
***UPDATE*** 


Food coloring works great for dyeing glass but because the light shade is in direct contact with light/heat the color fades.  So either use more food coloring or use the Rit Dye, I would recommend using the Rit Dye. It lasts much longer  I used the Rit Dye the same way I did with the food coloring, I added it to the Mod Podge and then put it on the shade.Next I took some Mod Podge and food coloring (yes food coloring).  You can also use Rit Dye too if you want some more color options.
turquoise-pendant-light-how-to-dye-a-light-shade (3)
I put them Mod Podge into a container and added 5 drops of food coloring.  The amount of drops depends on how dark you want the color to be.
turquoise-pendant-light-how-to-dye-a-light-shade (4)
I mixed up the Mod Podge and then painted it onto the light shade.
turquoise-pendant-light-how-to-dye-a-light-shade (5)
I then flipped it over and painted the inside too.  I tried to do nice and light strokes so I didn’t leave many paint lines.
turquoise-pendant-light-how-to-dye-a-light-shade (6)
And that’s it!!!  Super easy huh??  The Mod Podge dries clear, leaving the color in the dye.  So cool huh?!
turquoise-pendant-light-how-to-dye-a-light-shade (7)
I screwed the light shades back onto my pedants lights.
turquoise-pendant-light-how-to-dye-a-light-shade (15)
The glass is still see through, it’s just stained turquoise now.  And the paint lines aren’t very noticeable.
turquoise-pendant-light-how-to-dye-a-light-shade (16)
And when you turn on the lights, they look even cooler!
turquoise-pendant-light-how-to-dye-a-light-shade (17)
Here is what they look like with my kitchen.  Fun huh??  I think eventually I’m going to get some more modern looking light shades (ones that have clean lines) but I’m going to dye them too, because I love the look of the turquoise lights!
how-to-install-a-kitchen-backsplash-with-wavecrest-tile (31)
Here’s one more angle just for fun :).  Don’t they look great with my new tile back splash and my dining table with a burned wood finish, and my vinyl subway art over my pantry.  And they pop with my white barstools.
how-to-install-a-kitchen-backsplash-with-wavecrest-tile (33)I have since done some other things in my kitchen, like installed a new faucet and added hardware.
how-to-install-a-kitchen-faucet #spon (9)*****UPDATE: I did these over a year ago and they still look AWESOME! Here is a picture of them that I just took and they had held up very well to the heat of the light and cleaning. *****


I love how these turned out so much that I decided to make some holiday/winter ones to trade out during the winter months.  To make them super festive I put glitter and snowflakes on them and they look so cool!
Holiday-turquoise-lights-with-glittery-snowflakes (12)

Check out these DIY ideas:


DIY Fire Pit

Shiplap Wall

Storage Shelves
DIY-Shelves-For-A-Small-Bathroom (13)

DIY Dining Table
DIY-Dining-Table-With-Burned-Wood-Finish #BernzOmatic
DIY Fire Pit Sofa Bench

Family Photos Gallery
DIY Gallery Wall With Old Family Pictures (27)
Garage Mudroom Lockers

Easy Bathroom Shelf
#ad DIY-bathroom-shelf-for-razor-and-beard-trimmer #GiftofPhillips (29)
This post contains affiliate links.

 


Filed Under: DIY, home decor, kitchen, mod podge, paint, tutorial, Uncategorized

Previous Post: « How to Install a Kitchen Backsplash with Wavecrest and Mosaic Tile using Sticky Mat
Next Post: LDS Scattergories Game Printable- Perfect for Church Activity or FHE »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Laura - Eye Candy Creative Studio

    September 16, 2015 at 3:52 pm

    this.is.genius! totally sealing this idea . . .now to find out for what! 😉

    Log in to Reply
  2. Oliva Ohlson

    September 17, 2015 at 4:54 pm

    How cool is that!!! Pinned!!

    Log in to Reply
  3. Quilting Susie

    November 12, 2015 at 11:28 pm

    This is a fantastic idea! Thanks for sharing.

    Log in to Reply
  4. Labincurlers

    November 25, 2015 at 9:22 pm

    What a wonderful idea and just in time. I have a three light fixture hanging over my sink that's going to get "some new clothes".

    Log in to Reply
  5. Gabriele Sovers

    November 26, 2015 at 3:26 am

    Great idea, there's some lights I would like to change to the color I like. And looking at yours they look as good as the ones you pay a high price for. Thanks for sharing.

    Log in to Reply
  6. Debra

    November 27, 2015 at 1:49 pm

    What a great idea. The color is beautiful and enhances the kitchen. Why you can pick up the glass shades all over and can change out the color for the season.

    Log in to Reply
  7. Jeanette Rein

    November 27, 2015 at 2:26 pm

    Love this idea!!!! I have a question: Can you change the color at a later date? ie, say you change the color of the room and want to use the same shades but make them a different color.

    Log in to Reply
  8. LadyBugVicki

    November 27, 2015 at 4:51 pm

    TOTALLY LOVE LOVE LOVE !!!!!

    Log in to Reply
  9. Faye Neigut

    November 27, 2015 at 4:56 pm

    As we remodel our mountain cabin in New Mexico, this is one idea that I am totally stealing. Turquoise is my main color up there so I have hit the jackpot with you my darling!

    Log in to Reply
  10. Ellen Ribolla

    November 27, 2015 at 6:03 pm

    How would you clean them?
    Windex, to remove kitchen grease,
    or would it remove the Modpodge?

    Log in to Reply
  11. tina krenz

    November 27, 2015 at 6:32 pm

    I have those exact same lights like that in my kitchen too, and if I didn't know better, you must live in Ok., too. What other colors can I use and still have the lights shine through?

    Log in to Reply
  12. Elwanna McEuen

    November 27, 2015 at 6:32 pm

    Love this

    Log in to Reply
  13. Unknown

    November 27, 2015 at 7:10 pm

    A very clever idea, brilliant even. I also love the mural over your pantry door, did you do that yourself?

    Log in to Reply
  14. Janice Glover

    November 27, 2015 at 8:23 pm

    Absolutely BRILLIANT! It never surprises me to see how many incredibly creative and inventive women are out there. God certainly made some great modifications after his 'first' version!!!!

    Log in to Reply
  15. Kaysi

    November 27, 2015 at 8:41 pm

    Yes I made the wall art- it's here https://www.keepingitsimplecrafts.com/2014/06/kitchen-vinyl-subway-art-and.html

    Log in to Reply
  16. Gisele Phillips

    November 29, 2015 at 2:41 pm

    I love the look! I do have one question, is there any smell emitted as the shades heat up after the lights have been on for a while?

    Log in to Reply
  17. Kaysi

    November 29, 2015 at 3:48 pm

    @Gisele, no there is no smell that I noticed and I am bothered by smells, so it would something that I noticed 🙂

    Log in to Reply
  18. Socorro "CoCo" Alaniz

    December 1, 2015 at 1:37 pm

    This is a simple yet genius idea! I shall steal and use in the shades in my art studio!

    Log in to Reply
  19. cm

    January 29, 2016 at 10:07 pm

    Love this idea!! I have those same globes in a bathroom, so…I am thinking after the "dye job" I'll use some clear poly spray over it. Thanks for the great idea!!

    Log in to Reply
  20. Cyndi DiManno

    January 29, 2016 at 10:14 pm

    To make ur process even easier they now make a translucent seafoam paint in blue and green
    Gorgeous paint

    Log in to Reply
  21. Janice

    March 11, 2016 at 7:10 pm

    Whaaaaaat?!?! This is so brilliant. Looks amazing!

    Log in to Reply
  22. Stacie Valley

    April 12, 2016 at 11:04 am

    I'd love to do this in our new home. Is the dye permanent or can I just wash it out if I want to change the color at any given time? Your article is written as if the rit dye fades over time, but rit dye that I've used in the past has always been permanent. Do you have a suggestion for something I can just wash out and change at any given time? Thank you in advance, and great job on this simple yet brilliant kitchen upgrade!

    Log in to Reply
  23. Candylea

    April 20, 2016 at 12:50 pm

    I SO want to do this on the fixture over my kitchen sink!! And the color is perfect-how many drops did you use to get the color that you have? And does the heat from the bulb affect it in any way? And did you use RIT or food coloring, I want the color to be as close to yours as I can get!
    Thank you so so much, very creative!

    Log in to Reply
  24. Jennifer Franz

    August 28, 2016 at 1:09 pm

    Wow! This is such a great idea! Thank you for sharing. I'm going to try this too. By the way I love you entire kitchen. I was wondering if you could share with me where you found your chairs for the high counter? We have some but I'm wanting to replace them with something very similar! They look very kid friendly too. We have ones that are metal and swivel… Not good! Thank you and look forward to hearing from you.

    Log in to Reply
  25. Kaysi

    August 28, 2016 at 2:30 pm

    Jennifer Franz- I got them from Amazon- http://amzn.to/2bIRLG6

    Log in to Reply
  26. Sylvia Humphreys

    November 8, 2016 at 11:45 pm

    I would say you are very talented and full of imagination! You photo show you are young so have a great life and have lots of fun.
    Sylvia
    norsylvia@yahoo.com

    Log in to Reply
  27. Neicy

    December 4, 2016 at 11:07 pm

    do you think it would still work if I thinned it out a bit with water then let it run over the shade to avoid the brush strokes?

    Log in to Reply
  28. ReNae Bertolero

    January 25, 2017 at 7:55 pm

    So kewl! Thanks for sharing. I have a couple sconces I'm gonna try this on.

    Log in to Reply
  29. Gerri Haumschild

    April 5, 2017 at 3:46 pm

    I tried to do this..fail. I used thinned Elmers glue and acrylic paint. How can I get it off? I couldn't find the Rit in my color. how can I save these three shades? Can I spray paint them? Oh please help.

    Log in to Reply
    • Kaysi

      April 5, 2017 at 4:15 pm

      Oh no I'm sorry it didn't work! The paint is a lot thicker than the dye so I'm assuming that it's not very see through. Can you scrape it off gently with a razor blade? Or paint thinner? I really have no idea- good luck!

      Log in to Reply
  30. Alisa

    May 28, 2017 at 8:34 am

    I am renting and have a dated light in the kitchen eating area. It is a hanging light with a very dated glass flower shade.I wanted to just replace the glass lampshade on it but discovered that the only way to get it off is "over" the fixture which is pretty much painted onto the ceiling. Other than smashing the shade there's no way to change it so I've been looking for some way to spruce it up a bit and found this. Thank you and am doing this asap!

    Log in to Reply
  31. Betty

    June 27, 2017 at 1:37 pm

    I want to do this to some glass that will be outside exposed to all kinds of weather. Will the color hold up ?

    Log in to Reply
  32. Betty

    June 27, 2017 at 1:39 pm

    Will this hold up if done on glass that is outside and exposed to ll kinds of weather ?

    Log in to Reply
  33. Betty

    June 27, 2017 at 1:42 pm

    I am new at this . Not sure if this question has already been posted. Will the color on the glass hold up to all kinds of weather ? I want to do this to glass that will be outside in a garden. Thanks.

    Log in to Reply
  34. A Taylor

    August 8, 2017 at 4:37 am

    I loved the idea for the light shades. As I was reading it I also thought mod-podged tissue paper on the outside might look kinda cool in asst colors, or paint splatter. This got me think of a whole lot of other options. dependent on the feel I wanted. I Really love your cabinets. Did you do those yourself? If so, can you do a How-to on that? or at least let me know if they were air gun sprayed & the color brand/name. Thanks for so many great ideas!!

    Log in to Reply
  35. A Taylor

    August 8, 2017 at 4:41 am

    I loved what you did with the light shades. It also gave my other ideas for tissue paper mod-pogded od dependent on the feeling I want. Did you paint you cabinets yourselves? If so did you use a spray gun & can you let me know the brand/color? Thanks for the great ideas.

    Log in to Reply
  36. Leah Gally

    October 14, 2017 at 7:04 pm

    Redoing my bathroom and I used stonecoat countertops epoxy which bythe way is amazing stuff..i made my bathroom sink blue, green,mauve and white and pearl metallics.its a funky take on a bathroom countertop. Anyway, I painted faucet and light fixture white metallic with a hammered clear topcoat ans walls a light blue. Was really wanting to change color of frosted globes and rhis is prefect!!! Exact co lo or i was going for! Thank you so much for the video as you have solved my dilemma! You rock????

    Log in to Reply
  37. Leah Gally

    October 14, 2017 at 7:11 pm

    Redoing my bathroom and I used stonecoat countertops epoxy which bythe way is amazing stuff..i made my bathroom sink blue, green,mauve and white and pearl metallics.its a funky take on a bathroom countertop. Anyway, I painted faucet and light fixture white metallic with a hammered clear topcoat ans walls a light blue. Was really wanting to change color of frosted globes and rhis is prefect!!! Exact co lo or i was going for! Thank you so much for the video as you have solved my dilemma! You rock��

    Log in to Reply
  38. Leah Gally

    October 14, 2017 at 7:13 pm

    Sorry for all the typos..print is small on my phone or else it's paint fumes? Lol

    Log in to Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

You must be logged in to post a comment.

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Primary Sidebar

 photo KISsidebaraboutme.jpg

Keeping It Simple Photobucket Keeping It Simple Keeping It Simple Keeping It Simple Keeping It Simple

Copyright © 2023 · Foodie Pro & The Genesis Framework