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Golden Oldies 0

When I clean out a drawer around here, I find the best things!  I love these old photos from what must be the late Fifties. These lovelies were in some of our early catalogs showing the larger crystal chandeliers. 

I'm not sure of the house and exactly who every one is... though the handsome man in the tuxedo is Durward King.  

 Although I don't recognize all of the people, I do recognize some of the furniture as pieces that found their way to our showroom over the years.  Those pieces were meant to last generations - just like our chandeliers.

How to Move a Crystal Chandelier AKA How to Dismantle & Pack a Crystal Chandelier 0

You would think "How to Move a Crystal Chandelier" and "How to Dismantle & Pack a Crystal Chandelier" would be two different topics... but they are not!  Ask any chandelier restoration expert and they will agree that the best way to move a chandelier is to dismantle it and pack it.

We believe with our whole heart that if you are removing a crystal-armed chandelier from one location and transporting it to another location, it should be taken apart and packed.  I know - I hear you say that if you crate it properly, it will be fine.  But, it might not be and why take the chance?  

If a chandelier hangs within a crate, it can bang around in that crate.  If it is secured so that it can't swing, pressure is placed on those tension points.  Either scenario can shatter the crystal pieces. And, if you have had it happen, you know how hard it is to match a broken chandelier arm.

We ship thousands of our chandeliers, and we always ship them with the arms removed from the main fixture, wrapped, and packed withing packing pellets.  We also carefully wrap then hanging crystal so that these pieces don't touch one another.

Below is the method that we recommend.  These instructions will work with many crystal chandeliers made within the last 70 years or so.  If your chandelier is an antique, or you think it is exceptionally valuable, please consult a professional.

• Take photos and make diagrams of where all the crystal pendants and strands hang.  Don't rely on original instructions. 
• Lay out your tissue paper on a table, then carefully place your prisms/pendants on the tissue paper so that they do not touch.  Fold the paper with the pendants inside the folds - you will have to be the judge of how many per sheet of paper to use, but you don't want the final result to be so heavy or large that the crystals tear through the paper.  Tape and label.  For example: Prisms for Top.
• For strands, use the same method as above, making sure that the strands do not tangle. Once the crystals have all been removed, you can work with the chandelier without all the crystals banging against each other. 
• Make sure the power to your fixture off!
• Remove the bottom of the chandelier to get to the nuts that are holding the arms onto the fixture.  You can see instructions on how to remove the bottom of our chandeliers here and here.  Wrap the bottom in bubble wrap.
• Disconnect the wiring from the arms.  While holding the outer, heavy part of the arm, unscrew the nut on the underside of the plate that is holding the arm and lift the arm out of the plate. Remove the light bulb and wrap the arm carefully in bubble wrap.  Do this for all of the arms.
• Disconnect the chandelier from the ceiling and remove the stem of the chandelier from the chain.  Wrap the stem well in bubble wrap.  
• Don't forget to remove your chain, canopy, screw loop and cross bar.  You will want to take this with you as it might be original to the chandelier.  
• In the bottom of a box large enough for the arms, make sure you have some good cushioning material: layered bubble wrap or packing peanuts.  Carefully lay the arms in making sure that there is cushion between each and around each arm.  Arrange them so that the heavy parts (candle cups and bobeches) are not on top of one another. 
• We pack the bottom and crystals in a separate box from the arms. 
• Either place the stem in a box or transport it securely without a box.
• If possible, transport the boxes yourself instead of relying on the moving company. They won't treat it as lovingly as you will.

This all may sound a bit time-consuming, but I promise that this method of packing your chandelier will take less time than trying to find matches to broken components of your chandelier!

We will concede that if your chandelier is very small - say 18" wide, you can probably move it without taking it apart.  But, we do recommend taking the crystals off so that they don't bang against each other and chip.  Don't pack the frame in a box - keep it where you can see it.  Simply place it in the seat of your car and place the seat belt around it. And, make sure not to crack it by hitting it on the door frame on the way in and out of the car.  

Whatever you do, do it carefully!

New - Clearance Items 0

We are cleaning house, so to speak!  Check out items from our showroom that are on clearance.  

Happy New Year 0

As we close 2018, we wish everyone a healthy and happy 2019! 

Reflections... 0

I think it is true that we humans connect over “things”.  As much as we don’t want to admit that inanimate commercial goods are important to us, they are essential to so many of our memories.

Over the years we have heard beautiful reminisces and reflections of crystal chandeliers past, and I have seen how they play a large part in our connections to each other.

Once upon a time, a young man in his early 20’s, fresh out of college, placed a chandelier on lay-away.  His grandmother had passed away a few years before, and he always associated a chandelier with memories of her.  He asked for us to make one similar to hers – which we lovingly did.  I think he is the youngest customer we have had and I'll never forget his enthusiasm.

Recently I reunited with a college room-mate who was very dear to me. Her sweet mother had recently passed away, and my friend had the chandelier from her childhood home which she was hoping to have restored and prepared for storage.  It is a gorgeous chandelier – well-made and impeccably maintained. We reconnected over the chandelier – me remembering her mother’s beautiful home while she told me about their last time spent under the chandelier at a family gathering.   My friend has her own chandelier (inspired by her mother’s love of her own), but this chandelier will be packed for her own daughter’s use when the time comes.

So many of our customers are 2^nd and even 3^rd generation of King’s Chandelier owners.  We take great pride in this and love knowing that family traditions include us and that family photos may include just a bit of our creations.  Precious memories of fun times and holiday gatherings will be lit by our light.

From Thanksgiving Day to New Year’s Day is the time to make those lasting memories.  And, if you happened to make those under a King’s Chandelier, we’d love you to tag your photos or even send them to us (crystal@chandelier.com) so we may share in those experiences. 

Much love to everyone and we wish you a joyous holiday season!

--Nancy

Lamp Repair - We do it! 0

If you follow our facebook and Instagram pages, you know that we love to repair lamps.  Why throw out your old lamp just because it doesn't work?  Never do that!

Most lamps are pretty uncomplicated, and it is quite easy to change out the wire or the socket, or both in order to make them safe for use.

Make your single way lamp into a 3 way lamp simply by changing the socket, but make sure to stay true to the original wattage limits.  Most frequently these are due to the type and size of the shade that is on the fixture. 

Sockets switches can be turn knobs, keys, push thrus, and even pull chain.  Whatever suits you.

Change the location of your switch.  Switches don't have to be on the socket.  Rotary switches and step on switches can be placed on cords.  And, speaking of cords, they can be made shorter or longer to blend in with their surroundings.  

A good lamp repair store will have options to replace many types of lamp bases and will clean your lamp inside and out as needed. 

A new shade will always spruce up an old lamp, and if you can't find the right size, consider switch the harp out to one that will accommodate the size of shade that is available to you. 

Adding a new lamp finial is the perfect way to crown your newly refurbished lamp. Or add your own personality to an otherwise boring lamp by choosing a fun lamp finial.  Which brings me to the reason for today's blog.... we are adding lamp finials to our web site!  Yay!  (My fave is the pineapple lamp finial!)