My good friend, Suzan Etkin, has been designing and blowing glass in Italy for more than 25 years. One summer she started designing these light bulb covers out of small semi-precious beads, inspired by her mother's collection of antique crystal covers. The beaded-glass covers completely surround the bulb and are similar to vintage bulb covers made in the 1920s and imported from Europe. Sue designs her covers to sparkle when the lights are on and serve as a decorative home accent when the lights are off.

To make a beaded light cover, cut strips of wire to fit around your light bulb. You will also need a top and bottom wire to hold all of the strips into place. Once you cut the wire, string beads along each piece using a pattern that will let the light shine through. Crystals and soft colors like light pink, light amber, and opal are perfect beads to use to make beaded covers. These covers can be fitted to the bulbs on a chandelier or a single bulb that hangs from an old light fixture.

Excerpted from "The French-Inspired Home" by Kaari Meng. Photography by Zachary Williams. Copyright © 2006. Reprinted by permission of Sterling Publishing Co., Inc.