Make Your Own Lampshades

When redecorating your room, you may be faced with looking for new lampshades (or perhaps a lampshade you currently have has gotten damaged). So why not make your own!

If your lamp currently has a lampshade on it, half of the battle is already won! You have a base to start building your new shade. When selecting a material for your new shade, you can use paper, fabrics, plastic, or any heat-resistant material. Do keep in mind though, that the surface of a 100-watt light bulb can reach over 200 degrees and could cause a fire hazard. Make sure the material you choose for a lampshade is either far enough from the light bulb, or is fire-resistant.

Next, have fun! Take a trip to your local craft store or fabric store and get some ideas for your fabric or other material for your shade. Remember, the more transparent the material, the more the color of your light will change by the material. If you use a lightweight, transparent green sheer material, your finished lamp will give off a greenish glow. On the other hand, a heavy piece of velvet (or how about some thin strips of tree bark) won't allow much light through at all. Light will escape from the top or bottom of the lamp only. Keep this in mind as you plan your new lampshade.

To begin making your new lampshade, you will need the measurements of the current shade. If possible, take the old shade apart by carefully cutting it along it's seams. You can then use this as a template for your new lampshade. However, don't be stifled by the old shade! You can easily create an entirely new look with a piece of rigid wire, bending it into a new shape for a new shade. In this case, making a new cover may be a little trickier, but the process is the same. Simply cover the lampshade frame with your material. For fabric you can sew the seams or glue it. The same is true for other materials. If the glue is far enough away from the light bulb, you can even use hot melt glue.

The best part of making your own lampshades is that if you don't like your creation, or you redecorate your room, you can quickly and inexpensively make a new lampshade.

Dean Novosat holds a degree in Scenery and Lighting Design from Frankling & Marshall College and he uses his knowledge and experience with theatrical lighting in the home. He feels the home is just a blank canvas or stage that we choose to live in! He is the webmaster of http://www.only-lamp-shades.com and he enjoys using light in unique and different ways in the home.

---

Why Chainmaille Jewelry Craft

Jewelry is very prevalent, but jewelry that directly compliments your... Read More

Woodworking Tools: Right Selection And Care Will Save You Money, Part 2

Woodworking: Tools Of The Trade, Part 2 - Tools For... Read More

Origami Instructions

Origami is a fantastic art form that guarantees hours of... Read More

Why Do I (You) Collect?

I just got back from the vet with my cat... Read More

How to Make Your Own Soap Favors for Weddings and Baby Showers

Want to make soap as a gift for your party... Read More

Security Advice for Gold Jewelry, Diamonds, and Gemstones

For you to enjoy your treasures, they need to be... Read More

Why Should You Collect Cat Collectibles?

Let the cat out of the bag! True, you will... Read More

Making Beaded Jewelry Is Easy to Do

Making beaded jewelry is an inexpensive and fun hobby that... Read More

It is Possible to Create All Kinds of Items with Hobby Metal Casting

Hobby Metal Casting enables the home metal craft worker to... Read More

The Most Powerful Attribute in Antiques and Collectibles

What can increase your sales volume and make you more... Read More

Saltwater Coral Reef Aquariums - 5 Tips for Success

Do you dream of watching the natural beauty of the... Read More

Make Origami

Origami is a wonderful and elegant art. It has been... Read More

History of Kokeshi Wooden Dolls from Japan

Little is known of the early history of Kokeshi Japanese... Read More

Tracing Your Family History

Let me say straight away that tracing your family ancestry... Read More

Sewing Embroidery Designs in New Ways

How many of you are always looking for new ways... Read More

The Surprising Popularity of Cigar Smoking

The practice of cigar smoking has been on the rise... Read More

Mini Rc Cars

Did your heart ever palpitate for fast driving? Did you... Read More

Pump Up Your Life with Scrapbook Pages of Certainty

If you can voice enthusiastically that scrapbooking is your passion,... Read More

Use Order and Text to Give Life to Your Scrapbook

There are no specific rules stating that all photographs or... Read More

Choose From A Wide Variety Of Off Road RC Trucks To Play In The Dirt

Are you tired of driving your cars only on the... Read More

A Look at Patriotic Lapel Pins

Perhaps the most popular type of lapel pin is the... Read More

The Nuts and Bolts of Vintage Tin Toys

Before Game Boy and Play Station, there were tin toys.... Read More

Learn Origami

Basic foldsMost of the designs that you will learn will... Read More

Embroidery Designs Testing for Machine Embroidery

We have found a "new" way to see how well... Read More

Create A Gift Basket For A Dog Lover!

The choice of what gift to give your family and... Read More

Make Your Own Lampshades

When redecorating your room, you may be faced with looking... Read More

Weaving Photographs and the Use of a Collage to Give Your Scrapbooks Artistic Flare

For more dramatic results from your photographs, trying weaving two... Read More

Scrapbooking Tips And Tricks For Photos And Images

When you're incorporating pictures of any kind into your scrap... Read More

Embroidery Basting Frames Use for Stabilizing Designs

Using a basting frame around designs can do a great... Read More

Learn Exactly How To Repair Your Sewing Machine At Home!

My name is Tony Asef and I start my own... Read More

Baby Boomers Need Creative Practical Hobbies

"Well how are you really enjoying your retirement?" I asked... Read More

Amish Quilts ? A Dying American Art

Amish quilting has been a tradition for more than a... Read More

Embroidery Designs and Thread Colors for Machine Embroidery Sewing

I wish that I had a nickel for each time... Read More