Goodwill treasures

I am always complaining about the prices at Goodwill but honestly?   I have to say it has been a win-win situation for me over all. When I was in Greensboro I went to a ritzy neighborhood to the Goodwill and I found a 5 light crystal chandelier.  It needs a little work because 2 of the candlesticks are chipped and need to be replaced but the crystal font, arms, bobeche and candle cups were all undamaged and intact.  Also when I looked at it there were no crystals except on the body.  I counted 28 crystals and about 12 feet of crystal chains need to be purchased along with replacing the candlesticks. The price tag said $20 and I could live with that.  I got it because even though it was dusty and dirty, the crystals on the body were just so pretty and the price was ok and it wasn’t too big or overpowering. After I paid for it she gave me the box for it and in it was 5 lamp shades made of glass that some decorating challenged person picked out because they clearly did not belong to the fixture and were butt ugly.  Also in the box was a bag of 28 crystals.  Upon close inspection i discovered they were Swarovski crystals!!!  OMG!!! 2-3″ tear drops!! WHAT?  ARE YOU KIDDING ME?  Look to the left, look to the right, ran out the store and locked it in my trunk, LOL.  I was soooo excited.

Last night I finally got to a point with Bear where I had a little “me” time, so I dug out the box and cleaned the crystals.  I soaked them in Windex and lovingly wiped all 28 of them till there was no trace of dust or grime.  I hung them on the wire shelf in my garden window to dry and under just the kitchen lighting the sparkles were beautiful.  Thank God I do have happy moments in my doldrums depression!

The chandelier is taken all apart now and unfortunately it didn’t come with any crystal strands.  I am going to order them but I am not sure how to get the best deals on them.  I want Swarovski strands but I don’t want to get ripped off and I don’t want to pay top dollar for them neither (remember I am cheap, LOL).

This is very similar to what the chandelier looks like…picture it without the strands…

I want to hang it in my livingroom.  It has a sticker on it saying incandescent and I don’t know if that means it should have any special considerations as to how it should be connected to the house wires…do I have to install a different light switch?   Should I be calling an electrician for this? Or do I treat it just like any other fixture?  It also has a hanging chain but because of my low ceiling I can only take advantage of one link.  hhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh I probably need to get an electrician to hang it huh?  Strands, electrician…there goes the deal getting inflated!!

Ideas?  Input?

@ Victoria…thank God Goodwill has people who are not so savvy at pricing things out…they look at it and make a decision as to what the value should be.  No rhyme or reason obviously!! It’s hit or miss, and that my friend, enables me to get good deals here and there…so don’t give up on them totally…I have no idea how they messed this one up though…  It really is a beautiful piece.  it just needs a little love and doctoring.

Love Dr J

🙂

PS I went there tonight and I got a great wood tray  for $2.  Its really NICE.  I put it on my gateleg table to throw my keys in and hide magazines I subscribe to underneath till I read them LOL.