Crowning glory

Designed to ho lightweight or sheer drapes, a corona creates a romantic focal point above your bed - and can be made in a flash!

Get started
1 Use a round drum as a guide and bend the longer lengths of steel into a tight curve about 450mm deep.
2 Then cut them to the correct size by cutting off lengths from the ends; use a hacksaw or angle grinder and cutting disc. TIP Use a bench vice to hold the lengths steady as you do so.
3 Place the 400mm length on top of an offcut piece of timber, then mark out three points midway along the length - one in the middle and the outer two roughly 50mm from the ends - before drilling holes
at these points.
TIP Use cutting paste to assist the drilling process. It will help to keep the drill bit cool and eliminate friction, thereby preventing the bit from becoming blunt too quickly. Dont drill through steel at high speed as this will simply create excessive heat; use a medium speed and apply sufficient pressure, letting the edges of the bit cut through the steel.
4 Now weld the wider steel curve to the ends of the 400mm length, as shown.
5 Allow the area to cool first as hot flux can cause injury, then use a chipping hammer to remove the flux from the weld points. Wear protective eyewear!
6 Use a wire brush to remove any flux residue; this may highlight insufficiently welded areas; weld these gaps to create a consistent seam across the joint.
7 Use the angle grinder and grinding disc to neaten up the welds.
8 Weld on the 40 x 6mm round bar pieces at the ends and at the apex of the curve, and then add the 6mm steel curve, as shown.
9 Finish off by welding decorative detail like this cast iron fleur de lis - type motif onto the centre point.