Globe Pendant Light

With my profession old globes are very easy to find.  This particular globe still had the USSR labeled proudly,  so I didn't feel badly cutting it in half.  This is a project I've wanted to do for a while, and yesterday finally felt like a good time to do it. 

The first thing I needed to do was remove the tape at the equator.  This came off very easily for me, possibly because it was an older globe.

 

 

Then I used a utilty knife to cut the globe in half.  I went around and around and around the equator and it looked like I was going to have to keep circling the globe for a while. 

 

 

Then fate stepped in and I accidentally dropped the globe on the floor.  When I picked it up I noticed the two hemispheres were beginning to pull apart.  I pryed a little more and the two pieces came apart relatively easily. There is a thick piece of cardboard still attached to the Northern Hemisphere, so if I hadn't dropped the globe I might still be trying to cut through the equator.

 

 

The next step was to cut a circular hole in the top of the globe so I could insert the light kit.  I used a utility knife to cut the hole.  I scored the cardboard and eventually a piece pulled up.  Underneath was a circular metal piece that was easily removed.

 

I kept scoring the cardboard until I was able to cut through the cardboard.

Then all I had to do was insert the light kit and hang my globe.  Originally I made it to sell on my etsy page, but I like the way it looks hanging in my living room, so we'll have to see...

 

On the picture below you can see the thick piece of cardboard still attached.  I may use a piece of pom-pom fringe on the bottom to disguise it.

 



 

 

Update on my etsy page:  So far I haven't sold anything, but I check every day and keep my fingers crossed.  Yes, it would be so great to sell some of my treasures, but the real joy for me is in the creating.  I have a few more items to add.  Maybe next week...