Image by Meghan Hickey
Light up my Life
Issue #33
Lamp projects add charm to your chamber
By Justina Blakeney
Published: September 1st, 2007 | 12:00am
MID-CENTURY MODERN-STYLE PAPER LAMP
Inspiration: mod pendant lamp
Difficulty Level: easy
Estimated Cost: $4
Estimated Time: 15 minutes
Supplies
• one wire hanger
• eight pieces of cardstock paper
• light socket, cord, and plug
• one light bulb
• glue
• pliers
• scissors
• stapler and staples
• wire cutter
1. Cut hook off of wire hanger leaving a 2-inch “stem.” Using the pliers, bend stem over clockwise, and then counter-clockwise, creating an “s” shape in the wire (see figure 1).
2. Pull bottom angle of hanger downward, creating a diamond shape (see figure 2). Pinch bottom corner with pliers to reinforce.
3. Cut each piece of cardstock into a perfect square. You can make the squares of any size, but remember that your wire hanger structure must fit inside the lamp once the lamp is complete.
4. Cut two slits into each piece of paper (as shown in figure 3).
5. Curl the corners of the square inward and slide the slits into each other to create the cylinder shape (see figure 4). Repeat with all eight squares.
6. Glue each cylinder shape side-by-side (see figure 5) until lamp shape is complete.
7. Place the light bulb and fixture in the hanger frame and secure the chord to the wire in the “s” shape.
8. Staple either side of the hanger frame to the top opening of the lamp.
TWO-TIERED BOHO LANTERN
Inspiration: boredom of the same old paper lantern
Difficulty Level: medium
Estimated Cost: $26
Estimated Time: 45 minutes
Supplies
• two paper lantern sets
• four twisty ties
• eight quarters
• hot-glue sticks
• light bulb
• light socket, cord, and plug
• pom-pom trim
• hot-glue gun
• scissors
• wire cutters
1. Stretch the first paper lantern open and cut off the bottom third of the lantern with scissors. You will have to cut the wire with a wire cutter to dislocate the top piece from the bottom piece. (see figure 1.)
2. Stretch the second paper lantern open and cut off the bottom sixth of the lantern using the same technique.
3. Hot glue four quarters onto the bottom edge of each lantern, evenly spacing them around the perimeter so that you have one quarter on each side of both lanterns (the weight of the quarters will help keep the lanterns open).
4. Measure the circumference of the bottom opening of each lantern.
5. Cut two pieces of pom-pom trim to fit the length of the perimeter.
6. Carefully use the hot-glue gun to glue the pom-pom trim around the bottom edges of both lanterns.
7. The paper lantern set comes with a wire frame for the light socket, cord, and plug. Place the wire frame inside the shorter lantern (see figure 2) and hot glue the wire frame in place.
8. Place the larger lantern on the bottom half of the wire frame and hot-glue in place.
9. Reinforce the lanterns to the metal using twisty ties. Trim with wire-cutters if visible.
10. Place the electrical chord attachment and light bulb into the wire frame … and voila!
SAFETY PRECAUTIONS FOR
BOTH PROJECTS
Do not use bulbs that exceed 60 watts. Be sure that the bulb is securely mounted on the wire frame — you don’t want the bulb to lie against the paper shade because discoloration or burning may occur.
Keeping the lamp open on at least one end keeps the paper from trapping in heat and potentially creating a fire hazard.
—
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Venus Zine’s DIY Editor, Justina Blakeney, her sister Faith Blakeney, and Ellen Schultz are the designers behind Compai,
a crafty design studio and eco-clothing label. With a focus on
sustainable design and DIY, Compai has authored three books,
collaborated with companies like Artemide and Elio Fiorucci, and has
been seen on the pages of Vogue Italia, Adorn Magazine, Glamour Italia, the San Francisco Chronicle, on The Today Show, and, of course, Venus Zine. Check out what all the fuss is about at compai.com. E-mail feedback to justina [at] venuszine.com.
View more of Justina Blakeney’s work at on venuszine.com here.
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