Ever since I discovered all the great resources for lighting projects in my area, I’ve really been into the idea of making my own fixture of some kind. Until the light bulb goes off in my head, I’ve been inspired by these inventive lighting pieces by other creatively minded handy-people.
Hanging Clip Lamp: Inspired by the chandelier in the home of Marie and Bill Olsson Nylander, this project seems like it would be simple enough to execute using a pendant chord, some wire and a few clips of any kind. A chic way to incorporate pretty photos, drawings, or other keepsakes, if you ask me.
The Volivik Chandelier: Created by Madrid based product design studio, enPieza, this chandelier retails for $1,200. But the same result could easily be achieved with a few shade frames, wire hooks and a whole lot of Bic ballpoint pens. It looks Baroque but you won’t go broke!
Slinky Light: This hanging lamp is nothing but a pendant chord, a parallel reflector bulb and a slinky. How easy is that?
Recycle Lamp Shade: A complete how-to is available at Instructables.com for this sconce made out of a book and some string. I also think this project could be altered to make a chandelier using more than one book and the frame of a drum shade.
Hemp Pendant Lamps: These pendant lamps look so sharp and professional, it’s hard to believe they are made using only hemp string, craft glue and a bouncy ball! Visit CraftyNest.com for the complete how-to.
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Images: 1. Mixr.se 2. Momoy.com 3. Oobject.com 4. Instructables.com 5. CraftyNest.com
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Thanks for the inspiration! #1 (clips) and #4 (book) are fire safe?
I have seen the last one as a DIY-fail a lot, but it seems like it would really awesome if it worked.
Slinky light: very cool! Would like to see that one in person.
I tried the hemp pendant, it was a DIY-fail for me too! I tried it twice with a big balloon. I used wall paper glue the first time and then the gel glue recommended by Crafty Nest the second time. Big big mess both times.
i have seen the hemp pendant fail miserably too.
i would recommend a diy post i saw a few months back (can't find the link now) for a woven wood pendant. you take wood veneer, wrap it around into a woven ball of sorts, and use wood glue/clamps for 24 hours until it all sticks.
easy to put together, looks great, and SUPER CHEAP.
Here is another idea, my girlfriend was a finalist in the inhabitat DIY sustainable competition and this is what she came up with. Very cheap and very easy to make!
http://inhabitat.com/springgreening/2010/05/24/paper-tube-light/
I love these ideas, definitely look forward to trying out the one with the memorabilia clipped to it.
About the hemp light.
When I was very young, and that's a while back, I made string balls using crochet cotton and starch on balloons and "Easter eggs" using cotton rug yarn soaked in Plaster of Paris. The hemp lights are a similar look.
The key is using a stiffener that dries rather hard but doesn't stick to the balloon so when you pop it or deflate it to remove, the string doesn't shrink in and collapse the shape. If you want the hemp look and haven't had good luck, I'd try fabric stiffener from a craft store, often found in the glue section. (White glue, slightly thinned with water -- less than 1 to 1 ratio -- might also work, but it might also collapse.)
Let the stiffener or glue thoroughly soak the string (not just coat the outside) -- immmerse the string, let it sit, "wring it out"... And allow to thoroughly dry. (Partial drying also leads to collapse.)
I used to hang the wrapped balloons from something to suspend them, maybe in a shower stall or clothes line. (Plan for drips with newspaper or something since the glue is nasty to clean up otherwise.) I'd dry at least overnight.
Good luck!
I did the last one recently! I used yarn and made my own glue with water and flour. It took a few days to dry completely.
oops, I kinda followed this one
http://www.pickles.no/whirl-it-lampshade/2009/6/28/whirl-it-lampshade.html