Toss that dusty old lampshade aside and make this industrial DIY wire lampshade to jazz up your space. It’s easy, inexpensive, and a great modern accent!
We’ll talk about this bad boy in a few, but first, I have a few things I need to get off my chest.
Sometimes I spend a ridiculously stereotypical amount of time fantasizing about things I would buy if I were a bajillionaire. Today I decided to think of shopping from more of a realist’s perspective and, as a result, decided to lump my shopping habits/obsession into the following three categories:
Paul was with me, so after spouting off a few lamp-related movie quotes [tripod lamps are so hot right now] we grabbed this $19 table lamp and headed home.
Actually, we headed straight to what may be the best mexican restaurant I’ve ever lived near and then home. I have priorities people, and food is at the top of that list! =)
So with a belly full of vegetarian fajitas, I was ready to start tinkering with my new toy lamp. I probably should have mentioned that prior to my target run, a large spool of chicken wire was purchased. Oh yes, I had a plan.Paul also had a plan. A plan that involved taking over MY project. He secretly wants to be a blogger, I just know it! Luckily that meant that I was able to take photos while he man-handled some chicken wire. I showed him my inspiration lampshade via Our Humble Abowed [Amanda made an awesome faux bird cage lampshade!] and we got our DIY on!
Lampshade deconstruction and reconstruction. Fun little date night =) |
STEP 1. Remove fabric from lampshade. You should end up with a top and bottom ring.
STEP 2. Use goo gone or adhesive remover to get rid of the sticky glue that the fabric sometimes leaves behind.
STEP 3. Decide how tall you would like your lampshade to be [we kept ours close to the original size, about 10 inches tall] and also measure out how long you will need your wire mesh to be to wrap around your lampshade’s rings. Use wire cutters and cut to fit, leaving an extra row of mesh on the top and bottom to fold over your lampshade rings.
STEP 4. Fold the top and bottom row of mesh about halfway. Every 4-6 squares snip the wire [see image below] for easy folding. Think of the wire as the little paper flaps on paper dolls, the ones that fold the paper clothes to the doll. That’s essentially what we’re doing here. Only with wire =)
STEP 5. Fold down the metal “flaps” you made with your wire cutters and pinch to secure/align.
STEP 6. After folding down the first 2-3 flaps, use a sandwich twist-tie, some string, or a small piece of wire to secure the folds to the lampshade ring. This will prevent slipping/sliding around. [see below]
STEP 7. Snip a 2-3inch piece of wire [either craft wire or some of the extra wire that came with your chicken wire roll] and wrap it along the seams to secure. We decided on wrapping one on the top of the seam and another on the bottom. [see below] Paul later added an additional one on each side to for symmetry. He claims they were necessary *cough*OCD*cough*
STEP 8. Finish folding both the top and bottom seams and remove any twist-ties that aren’t needed. The amount you need will depend on the size of your lampshade, a small one like ours didn’t require that many while a jumbo project might have you reaching for a few extra. Oh snap! And while I was rambling. we somehow finished our lampshade!
update: years later, we’re still butt-crazy in love with this lamp!
Love the look!! I’ve been using construction wire for years to make lampshades. Easy, inexpensive and you can make different shapes too!
Thank you! They’re super fun to make and I love how easily you can customize them!
What material/fabric did you use for the shade ?
Hi Mary! So I bought a lamp base that came with a shade and removed the shade martial to replace it with chicken coop wire to make it modern. Lowes/Home Depot and other such hardware stores typically have it. xoxo
Could I get this wire in the us
(Nyc)
Thanks you good day
Yes of course! I purchased mine at Lowe’s hardware store. Home Depot should also carry it!
where can I get the same size mesh wire you used for this lamp?
Hi Sophia! We picked ours up at Lowe’s hardware store in the garden section 🙂
This is exactly the project I have been looking for! I’m thinking about making one out of fine mesh – the kind you find in an art supply store. Thanks for the DIY tutorial!
This is so great!! Love! I also shared it on my blog here: http://www.vixenmade.com/2013/05/diy-boys-room-decor.html
I love it! I have a lamp that i am looking to redo and this helps give me some great ideas! Thanks for posting! I am your newest follower and I would love it if you stopped by sometime to say, “Hi”! http://www.nstitchesdesigns.blogspot.com
awww yay! Happy to help! I’m making a second b/c I love it so much — LMK how it turns out! =)
I was just! looking for a modern light shade for my kitchen!! Thank you! It’s fantastic!
So very cool. Nuff said.
🙂
Linda
[email protected]
Saw you on CRAFT . . . This is fabulous! How creative!!
Holly @ Life as a Thrifter
So do I!!! Make me one! 😉
Love the tutorial! Turned out way cool!! Will continue to follow!
Maggie @ TheHellonHeelsHousewife.blogspot.com
Thanks Amanda! I used a low wattage CFL so it wasn’t as bright as a 100watt would be.. but I actually rarely turn it on! It’s more of a decoration for me 😉 I know – i’m weird!
Seriously you are so creative. I also love the label “I Love Lamp.” hahaha
Is the light super bright though? Since there’s nothing to block it or “shade” it?
This is just excellent…I want to make one as a swag lamp over a table!!
Look so swank!!!!!!!! You are crafty, friend 😀
That is completely fun! I love DIY projects
I LOVE this lamp! Its so modern! I also share your pain about screaming for the other spouse. I do that to my husband all the time and he gets so upset!!
Haha, I love lamp! Love Anchorman!
This lamp is adorable!! I have been trying more DIY stuff at home. Doesn’t always turn out, but this lamp seems doable. 🙂
That is such a cute lamp! I love DIY projects, I wish I was a little more disciplined in completing them though 😛
What a cool lamp! Love the industrial look.
So stinkin’ fabulous! Love how it turned out. It’s looks like something you would find in an ultra high end shop. xoxo!
This is really cool. You two make a great team:-). This is my first visit to your blog, so I took some time to browse through your earlier posts. You’ve created a great spot to visit and I really enjoyed the time I spent here. I’ll definitely be back. I hope you have a great day. Blessings…Mary
Oooh, I love your spin on my tutorial! It looks so industrial chic. And you didn’t have to spend a fortune to get it! Great work!!!
Cute!! And I’m w/you on the therapy of shopping, even if you don’t buy anything – i can totally just roam around a store for hours (esp Ikea!).
Very cool! You’ve got yourself a new follower. 🙂
And I thought I was being crafty spray painting wine glasses… *le sigh* You’re my DIY hero.
No.3 cracked me up! lol The lamp looks fabulous! Great job!
such a fun lamp!!
You light up my life!
Nice! Youa re definitely much craftier than me.
so modern and industrial! love it!!
How unique! I love it. We need lamps in our guest room. Ugh. I’m not sure why I don’t have any fun shopping for lamps!
So fun! What a great idea! Looks great 🙂
“This type of shopping is challenging and annoying. I try to postpone grocery shopping as long as possible. Yet, if you get me anywhere near a Whole Foods or Trader Joes, I’m all smiles.”
I had to laugh, this is totally me too!
Awesome, Crafty Lady (and Paul)!
This is cool—I would definitely buy one if I saw it in a store… I like the idea of making one, but, um…you know I’m not crafty.
Retail therapy usually involves expensive food for me. The comfort varieties…that I can eat too much of, and then need more!
Ohhhh I love it….. so cool!
xoxo from Calgary this week
Make one!!!! =) It was much easier than I ever imagined and it looks like it cost a pretty penny even up close! =)
LOVE it!!! This would look great in my hub’s office!
I love that lamp, great job!
You’re so creatively awesome Jen!
I love it! And too funny that Paul took over your project!
Awesome lamp Jenn! You guys did a great job. It looks like something you would get at a specialty store and spend a fortune on. I need to get crafty again. Now I am always in the kitchen. I filled my previous craft room cabinets with small appliances! What happen to me???
I adore this- great tutorial!
What a great idea … and execution. It turned out great!