This week I would like to give you some ideas for some beautiful lampshades, made from the cheapest, cardboard styles you can buy! Start off by stamping or stenciling your choice of designs, right onto the shade. This would also be great for a shade that has a stain or spot. Thus recycling!
Next, using an ordinary push pin, punch holes into the shade, all the way around the design. I like to gage the holes at about 4 to 6 per inch. You can change the size of your holes by using other tools, such as a straight pin for smaller holes, an ice pick for larger holes. You might even mix them, for instance, do two small holes and one large. The affects are way too numerous to even imagine. Next, try adding fringe or trim to the bottom, to dress up your project. You can apply this with any type glue, even hot glue.
BUT, we should not stop there, now we need a colored light bulb to show through. They are just ridiculous in price, if you can even find the color you like. SO, we will just color our own. This is so simple you are gonna wonder why you have not always done it. Simply, paint a COOL light bulb. You can use your craft paint if you like. Naturally, it would be ideal to use glass paint, but if it is not available, your craft paint will do just fine. Just make sure it has dried completely, before turning on your lamp. If you can not actually see the color from the bulb, once you have turned on the light, it just needs more paint. You will master the amount of paint you prefer soon. If you are like I was, when I first learned this technique, you will probably paint every bulb in the house. It is fun, and gives such a warm glow to your lamps. So enjoy your new shades and bulbs. Remember to write and let us know about any new ideas you have to share with us.
TIP: Instead of digging a hole in your finger with a needle to remove a splinter, simple soak the area in oil, such as olive oil and in just a few minutes the splinter will work its way right out.
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