“You made my first chandelier project very do-able Thank you”

I know in the past that I have shared customers restoration projects with you, with their consent of course, but I wanted to share the comments received in an email earlier this week just in case you had been toying with the idea of restoring a chandelier, wall lights, crystal shade etc but had been put off because you did not know where to start.

If you are reading this blog then you have started your journey as you are googling chandelier companies, chandelier repair, chandelier parts etc, don’t be hesitant in taking the next step as it is not as daunting as you may think (or as expensive) and we are here to help.

The comments in the email read “Thank you once again for your help, you have made my first chandelier project very do-able and I hope the finished product does all your work justice.”

So you may be wondering what help we gave, the help that was extended is help we offer all our customers, from private individuals to trade customers – traditional customer service, providing the type of support that we like extended to ourselves. The opportunity to speak to a human and not AI and to interact with the same individual each time so that you do not need to keep recapping the issue to gain a resolution.

After we were contacted via email enquiring about availability of some crystal buttons and beads he had identified he needed from our website but in alternative sizes to those shown, we were able to interact with him via telephone and email. After a check of our stock, we have a large amount that has not yet found it’s way on to our website, we were able to confirm availability of some of sizes and suggestions on substitutions where sizes of buttons slightly differed to his original pieces. This enabled him to purchase the parts he needed, on this occasion this is extra special as the chandeliers have sentimental meaning to him.

This is support we offer our customers every day and it varies daily on the form of assistance required. From National Trust curators confirming suitability on chain and candle tubes, customers at the very beginning of their chandelier journey as described above to enquiries regarding delivery lead times, bespoke candle tubes and thread sizes. We are here to support you with your project and would much prefer for you to reach out to us if you have a query rather than for you to decide not to proceed because it is too daunting/expensive or that your query is “silly” – your question may be a question we have been asked previously and makes us realise that we need to address the query in a blog for others!

If you don’t want to reach out to us personally start off with a visit to our website which includes a “How To Video Tutorial Page”, https://www.kingschandeliers.co.uk/video-tutorials.html a range of blogs covering topics such as “What is a Bobeche”, “Different methods of chandelier pinning”, “Chandelier drop names” and much more. We are also updating our website to include more information and assistance on our product listings but this takes time so please if you cannot find the answer to your question in our videos or blogs or you cannot see the chandelier part you need contact us via email info@kingschandeliers.co.uk or call us on 01206332938.

Is Your Lighting Ready For Winter Evenings And the Christmas Festives ?

We have been a little quiet on the social media side for a couple of months but only because we have been busy in the background with new products, exciting projects and extending our bespoke glass services together with our chandelier cleaning services, all of which will be covered over the forthcoming months.

As the nights draw in and the festive season approaches the lighting industry, including ourselves, get busier (who wants to worry too much about lighting during the summer months!) and this brings enquiries from customers asking how they can get their chandeliers and lighting ready for those cosy evening and festive celebrations.

With this in mind I thought I would re-share one of our earlier blogs we wrote about some of the comments and questions that we receive from customers about their chandeliers and the misconception that they may have in the cost refurbishing or repairing them.

Whilst references are made to revitalising your chandelier this blog is also appropriate for crystal and glass shades, candelabra etc.

For some of our customers chandeliers are a hobby, for some a business, others may have inherited them from family members or with a property they have purchased and others they are in a place of work. The ideas below range from costing relatively little to the more expensive and from needing no experience to perhaps requiring professional services. I may have covered an idea in a more detailed blog and if so I will pop in a link to the blog and/or links to our website.

1. Clean your chandelier, you will be surprised what a difference it can make and it doesn’t cost very much if you are able to do it yourself! A regular customer called me in the week to say she had purchased a chandelier from an online auction thinking it was made up of Amber crystals and when she received it and started to clean it it was heavily nicotine stained and a most gorgeous piece. We regularly see the same thing and covered this in a blog some years ago https://kingschandeliers.wordpress.com/page/3/

chandelier crystals AFTER cleaning

chandelier crystals BEFORE cleaning

2. Now your chandelier is sparkling clean hopefully you will have fallen back in love with it. Now you can look to see if any of the crystals are missing. This does not need to be expensive and our website has a large selection starting from relatively little, https://www.kingschandeliers.co.uk/chandelier-parts-and-accessories.html

3. So your chandelier is lovely and clean but your candle tubes are letting it down by being grubby, damaged or just not the finish you are looking to show. Our range of candle tubes include glass, card, metal and plastic in different colours and finishes. Our website features gold gild, black, cream, white, magnolia, antique and modern finishes in red, green, blue, yellow, orange, pink. These colours are exclusive to ourselves – need a colour not shown on our website? Contact us we may be able to do other colours!

Don’t discard your chandelier if you have redecorated your room, above we have covered 3 of the cheapest and easier ways of revitalising your chandelier, cleaning, replacing missing crystals and new candle tubes but there are other things you can do:-

1. If your chandelier has a chain you could replace this (please make sure you know the weight first) If your chandelier doesn’t currently have a chain can the height of your room accommodate the chandelier hanging lower from the ceiling https://www.kingschandeliers.co.uk/chandelier-chains,-hooks-and-shackles/
2. We sell a large range of ceiling roses and ceiling hook plates in both traditional and modern colours, again you need to know the weight of your chandelier or light fitting (they look great with the tiffany style fly catcher shades) This will help make a focal point on your ceiling https://www.kingschandeliers.co.uk/ceiling-roses,-ceiling-plate-hooks/ although not essential you could top this off with one of our hand turned wooden ceiling pattress’ (great for covering marks left from removing a previous light fitting) https://www.kingschandeliers.co.uk/wooden-pattresses,-ceiling-roses,-fittings/
3. If you do not have experience with electrics this one is a bit more expensive if you require an electrician but changing the electrical cable to a colour complimenting your decor is another option, our website features many colours and we are happy to discuss these with you to help you make your choice
4. If you want to change the look of your chandelier or bring a bit more bling to the room you can look at changing some of the crystals or introduce more to the style – the colours produced by our crystals will give you rainbows across the room when hit by the sunshine – pop some of our crystal suncatchers in your windows and the colours will bounce around the room https://www.kingschandeliers.co.uk/feng-shui-crystal-sun-catchers/
5. I have left this one until last just because it is more time consuming and takes a bit of practise if you have not done anything similar in the past, chandelier crystal pinning. Repinning your chandelier can either be done in pins, rings or bow tie clips. Our “How To” video’s feature one on pinning https://www.kingschandeliers.co.uk/chandelier-repairs-and-restoration.html

Many of our customers who have restored their own chandeliers have found that they love this new hobby and turn it into an additional income, buying from ourselves there is not a minimum order level, we have a lifetime customer loyalty discount scheme and many of our products are postage free.

What’s New With Chandelier Candle Tubes

At King’s Chandelier Services Ltd we pride ourselves on listening to our customers, this is how we expanded from onsite chandelier cleaning and chandelier restoration to offering the extensive range of antique and vintage chandelier spares. By the way we do still offer chandelier cleaning and restoration services so feel free to contact us if you are looking for either of these services!

Back to point, listening to our customers, and studying our sales records, we are aware that plastic candle tubes are loosing their appeal with a move to more sustainable materials. Add to this the introduction of the plastic tax pushing the costs of plastic candle tubes up to prices that we were paying for card candle sleeve tubes, we knew that we had to do something pro-active.

When purchasing mass produced chandelier candle tubes the customer has always been limited on the choice of height, colour, style etc. King’s Chandelier Services LTd are pleased to announce that we are now manufacturing our own card candle tubes, hand finished, and in doing so we are able to offer flexibility to our customers.

By making our own candle tubes we are able to offer a much larger height range, currently the tallest is 300mm height – the shortest – well you can choose – if you cannot see the height you need just email us. All heights will be available either with drip effect or plain and we are able to offer a wider choice of colour, again if you cannot see the colour you need then just email us and we will see if we can accommodate the colour.

At present we are transitioning our plastic candle tube range over to card and we are pleased to say that by producing these ourselves we will be able to keep the prices competitive so you, the customer, will not see massive prices increases.

Using card candle tubes is more sustainable than plastic and the card candle tubes can last longer than plastic as the plastic can become brittle with age.

Our candle tubes are being manufactured to be suitable with a choice of our lamp holders so you will be able to purchase these together if required.

If you have any questions or are interested in a particular size please email us as your thoughts are important to us when developing new product ranges https://www.kingschandeliers.co.uk/contact.html

Below is just a small selection, all available in drip and plain designs.

Yellow Candle Tubes

Cream Candle Tube Drip Effect

White Drip Card Chandelier Sleeves

Black Card Chandelier Candle Sleeves

Gold Gilt Candle Tubes

Brown Candle Tubes Sleeves

Chandelier Drop Names – Part Three

What Are My Chandelier Drops Called – Part 3 – we have taken a little break from our blogs, not intentionally just busy with new stock coming in and preparing customers orders and restoration projects.

As crystal Albert drops have been very popular in the last weeks I thought this blog could feature cut and plain full and half Alberts.

We recognise that with more people shopping online and less physical shops to personally choose your chandelier drops it can be frustrating, and following a request from one of our interior designer customers we have started putting together some product name identifiers so show some of the names we use on our website with photo examples.

We have many more pieces on our website and in our workshops so please contact us for further details or forward photos of the pieces you are looking to match to – our stocks are genuine vintage and antique pieces not reproduction.

Visit our website https://www.kingschandeliers.co.uk/pendants,-drops,-spikes,-crystal-pendalogues/ or email us info@kingschandeliers.co.uk

Chandelier Drop Names – Part Two

What Are My Chandelier Drops Called – Part 2 – it can be quite daunting when searching the internet for replacement chandelier drops and pendants as you may not be familiar with the terminology and companies may refer to pieces by a variation of names. This can be due to a variety of reasons, there are a lot of variations of similar style drops and pendants, some companies may use original French and Italian names but with different spellings and of course when advertising the search engines do not like websites to duplicate their product names excessively.

We recognise that with more people shopping online and less physical shops to personally choose your chandelier drops it can be frustrating, and following a request from one of our interior designer customers we have started putting together some product name identifiers so show some of the names we use on our website with photo examples.

Slab drops are a common chandelier drop and there are many varieties, below is just a small example, and due to the popularity of this style the word “slab” is usually incorporated in the product title and/or description. Examples of product names from our own website include French Slab Drop, Slab Pendant, Bell Drop, Flat Back Slab Drop to name just a few. We have many more pieces on our website and in our workshops so please contact us for further details or forward photos of the pieces you are looking to match to – our stocks are genuine vintage and antique pieces not reproduction.

Visit our website https://www.kingschandeliers.co.uk/pendants,-drops,-spikes,-crystal-pendalogues/ or email us info@kingschandeliers.co.uk

Chandelier Drop Names – Part One

What are my chandelier drops called – it can be quite daunting when searching the internet for replacement chandelier drops and pendants as you may not be familiar with the terminology and companies may refer to pieces by a variation of names. This can be due to a variety of reasons, there are a lot of variations of similar style drops and pendants, some companies may use original French and Italian names but with different spellings and of course when advertising the search engines do not like websites to duplicate their product names excessively. For example slab drops come in so many variety’s that a play on words may be needed.
We recognise that with more people shopping online and less physical shops to personally choose your chandelier drops it can be frustrating, and following a request from one of our interior designer customers we have started putting together some product name identifiers so show some of the names we use on our website with photo examples.
We have many more pieces on our website and in our workshops so please contact us for further details or forward photos of the pieces you are looking to match to – our stocks are genuine vintage and antique pieces not reproduction.

Visit our website to view our extensive range of chandelier spares, parts and accessories, our website is suitable for everyday lighting projects as well as chandeliers, lamps, candelabra etc. https://www.kingschandeliers.co.uk/chandelier-parts-and-accessories.html

Chandelier Chain – The Importance Of Choosing Correctly

chandelier new labelled

As you would expect of a company that specialises in chandeliers we receive a lot of enquiries for chandelier chain but I think sometimes our response may surprise the customer until we explain. It is very common for the enquiry to be specific in requesting a “pretty” chain or a chain in a particular colour or a wish to match an existing chain. The response that may surprise them a little is “before I can recommend a chain what weight is your chandelier?” we will then explain to them that for us the important factor for us is not how “pretty” the chain is but to ensure that the chain can hold a sufficient weight to be safe for their chandelier. Most customers immediately understand and if they do not already know the weight of their chandelier will go and weigh it and then return to us to choose the appropriate chain whereby we will do the best we can to then meet their personal requests.

Our chains are not only used for installing chandeliers we have customers that include art galleries using the chains for picture hanging, interior designers and antique shops using the chains for hanging mirrors and some customers use them suspending hanging baskets (my chickens have their feeders suspended from one of our chains!)

To help you choose the correct chain for your project here are some of the questions we would routinely ask (for ease we will refer to chandelier but the same principles apply to whatever you are using the chains for):-

1. What is the weight of your chandelier – if you can lift the chandelier one way of weighing is to weigh yourself then weigh yourself holding the chandelier, subtract one weight from the other then add a little back on
2. Once you have the weight you know not to look at chains that are showing a weight load max less than this (all our chains show the max they can hold) For example if your chandelier weighs 5kg you can choose any chains showing above this max weigh loading but if your chandelier weighs 10kg look at chains that take more than that weight loading this allows for any errors in calculating the weight – if you are unsure please contact us we are happy to advise
3. Heavier weight loading chains tend to be welded links rather than split link (split link you can open and close the link) so you need to make a note if your chandelier has an open or closed loop to attach the chain
4. You will also need to check your ceiling rose for open or closed loop if a welded link chain is being used.
5. Once you have determined the weight of your chandelier and the type of fixings on your chandelier and ceiling rose you can then look at the chains on our website. The product details will provide the weight loading appropriate for the chain, the dimensions of the chain link and if the chain is split link or welded. The dimensions of the link and the photo images are important as you need to make sure that the link size is going to be suitable for your fixings on the ceiling rose and chandelier.
6. Split link chain – as mentioned in in item 3 you can open the link slide through your closed loop and close the link. However you need to ensure that your loop will have a sufficient opening to allow the link to pass through. If not you may need either an S hook or chain link repair – if you are uncertain please contact us with the dimensions of your closed loop in order that we can check this for you. With an open hook you will need to check there is sufficient space for the chain to pass through the link although you can use the method for the closed loop also.
7. Welded link – if you are choosing a welded link and have an open hook as above you will need to check there is sufficient space for the chain link to pass over the open hook and sit comfortably. For a closed loop you will require either an S hook, dependant on the chandelier weight, or chain link repair or shackle. With a welded link it is important to ensure that the chain link size is going to be the correct size to ensure that the link will accommodate either of these additional components – if you are unsure please contact us and we will be able to assist you in choosing the correct parts to make your installation a little easier.

It is always our recommendation that you err on the side of caution, it is better to purchase a chain and components with a higher weight loading that required rather than trying to “cheat” by using chains and components that are not suitable and have an insufficient weight loading. Remember also that your need to weight load test when installing chandeliers see our blogs on weight load testing and chandelier installation

We are happy to take your phone calls, 01206332938 or emails with any questions you may have when ordering from our website

Lamp Holder Types And Safety Features

For today’s blog I have decided to combine a few of our most frequently asked questions about lamp holders and so have structured this on a Q and A layout.

• Q.1 This is a question, though not asked outright, is one that is skirted around – why are your lamp holders a bit more expensive?

• A.1. The majority of our lamp holders are manufactured in the UK with a small amount being manufactured in Italy, Italy is renowned for their expertise in the lighting industry, allowing us direct contact with our manufacturers We do not import our lamp holders from China or the Far East. All products stocked by ourselves are products we are happy to use on our own restorations

• Q. 2. What are the 2 sizes of Edison Screw lamp holder you stock?
• A.2. We stock both E14 and E27 lamp holders, the E14 also being known as SES E14, small Edison Screw. The number refers to the size of the base in mm. https://www.kingschandeliers.co.uk/small-edison-screw-e14-lamp-holders/ https://www.kingschandeliers.co.uk/large-edison-screw-e27-lamp-holders/

• Q.3. What size bayonet cap lamp holders do you stock?
• A.3. We stock both B15 and B22 lamp holders, these may also be known as BC B15 and BC B22. Again the number refers to the base in mm. https://www.kingschandeliers.co.uk/large-bayonet-cap-b22-lamp-holders/ https://www.kingschandeliers.co.uk/small-bayonet-cap-b15-lamp-holders/

• Q.4. What is the difference between a threaded skirt lamp holder and plain skirt lamp holder?
• A.4. Plain skirt lamp holders speak for themselves, the body of the lamp holder is plain without ridges, this lamp holder cannot be used with a lamp shade. A threaded skirt lamp holder is suitable for pairing with a lamp shade, the body of the lamp holder (skirt) has a thread running around the entire body length. Dependant on the style of the lamp holder there will either be one fixed shade ring and one removable shade ring or two removable shade rings. Please note when purchasing threaded skirt lamp holders from ourselves you will receive the number of shade rings required with the lamp holder, not all companies supply the shade rings or may supply one only expecting you to purchase shade rings separately. If you do need extra shade rings we do sell these separate to the lamp holder.

• Q.5. Why do I need shade rings with my lamp holder?
• A.5. You would use the threaded skirt lamp holder with shade rings if you are using a lamp shade, a lamp shade gallery or lamp shade clip. The shade rings clamp the gallery/lamp shade in place, one ring above the gallery opening and one below (ensure you purchase the correct lamp holder for your gallery/shade opening)

• Q.6. What does it mean when it says the lamp holder has a 10mm, 13mm or half inch thread?
• A.6. The lamp holder generally has a female thread to allow it to screw onto a receiving thread (known as the male thread as it is inserted into the lamp holder) e.g. on a lamp or a chandelier arm. You need to know the thread size of the male thread to determine which lamp holder to purchase. You can use what we call the “nut test”, get a nut that you know the size of and try fastening this to your male thread, if it fits great, if not you will know whether you need to test with a larger or smaller nut to determine the size. If your thread is an imperial or unusual thread you may wish to consider changing the receiving thread to M10, the most common size used, we stock this in various length sizes https://www.kingschandeliers.co.uk/threaded-rod-nuts-washers-and-metal-components/4/0/

• Q.7. Are your lamp holders earthed?
• A.7. The majority of our lamp holders are earthed and both the product description and photos should detail the position of the earth, either internal or external. Unearthed lamp holders will specify they are unearthed and if they specify 2 core electric cable use only they will be unearthed. If using unearthed lamp holders please check with your electrician if you need to earth at an alternative place on your light fitting.

• Q.8. Screw in or push in terminals?
• A.8. This is how your electrical cable is connected within the lamp holder and is down to personal preference although many lamp holders only come with the one option choice

• Q.9. What are the safety features?
• A.9. Lamp holders are now designed to reduce the risk of electrocution for the young and vulnerable. If you assemble your lamp holder before wiring in the electrics you will find it is locked to stop someone reaching the electrical elements when the lightbulb has been removed. We have a video on our website showing how to unlock your lamp holders, whilst the video features an E27 lamp holder the principle is the same for other lamp holders https://www.kingschandeliers.co.uk/video-tutorials.html The earthing of lamp holders has been covered in answer 7.

• Q10. Should I use 2 core or 3 core electric cable?
• A10. If you are using metal lamp holders you should use 3 core electrical cable, if you are using plastic lamp holders then 2 core electrical cable. If you are in doubt check with your electrician or contact us before placing your order 01206332938.

How To Unlock Your Lamp Holder

Marie Theresa Chandelier Restoration – Glass Ribs

What do I need glass ribs for? The Marie Theresa chandeliers were first introduced in Austria in the 18th century and rather than having complete glass arms the Marie Theresa chandelier is a metal frame that is faced with crystal or glass ribs and separate rosette flowers.

The ribs were traditionally produced by hand in long glass lengths and snapped to size to fit the arms in segments, you may see on your chandelier that there are varying lengths of rib, this was to allow for the best fit to the individual shape of arm.

You will note that the ribs have a narrow hollow centre to pass thin wire through to tie them into place with glass flower rosettes being placed over the rib joins to help secure the ribs in place and cover the join.

With the ribs being tied either side of the metal arm a hollow ridge is created which allows the electrical cable sit in place.

The photos show a wall light arm that is being stripped for restoration showing ribs in place and the frame beneath. Marie Theresa rosettes and pendalogues will be covered in a further blog so follow us for notifications on our new blogs

Marie Theresa glass ribs are available to purchase from ourselves but due to wide range of sizes and cuts please contact us https://www.kingschandeliers.co.uk/contact.html for further details.

What Are The Parts Of A Chandelier Called?

The word chandelier derives from the French word which itself is derived from a Latin word and entered the English language in 1736. You will find that the parts of a chandelier may be known by several names and with Google being used by many to search for parts for their chandeliers these names will appear more or less frequently than others. There will also be some differences dependant on the type and style of your chandelier, whether it is crystal, brass or glass, antique or modern.

Pendants, Lustres, Prisms and chandelier arms are going to be some of the most common names you will come across. To help with some of the basic terminology used on our website I have linked below the chandelier sketch that we show on our website.

We also have an information page on our website that details the names and terminology in more detail, with a brief description of the purpose/use of each part. This page can be viewed at https://www.kingschandeliers.co.uk/Parts-of-a-Chandelier.html This page also features links to the relevant section on our website for allow easy ordering.

If you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact us by telephone, 01206332938, or email us via https://www.kingschandeliers.co.uk/contact.html