I have two very beautiful vases that I bought from Dandelion last year. I absolutely love them, and just got the idea that I wanted to turn them into lamps for my apartment. I am not the DIY type, and was wondering is there a place in SF that could turn my modern vases into custom lamps?
Thanks! JC
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Dear JC,
Your lamps are beautiful and we agree that theyd be lovely vases, sort of along the lines of Simon Pearce's, only much more ethereal.
We recently did a post about turning prized objects into lamp bases, and we'd refer you there and suggest you attempt a DIY--but we're pretty sure that drilling holes into delicate glass to make way for the wiring falls into the realm of the impossible, even for a expert DIYer. But that's why we have readers. Hopefully someone will beg to differ--and knows of a great resource who can do the construction and wiring for you.
Anyone?
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Comments (7)
They are really lovely, but you will lose some of that impact by turning them into lamps, by needing to insert some sort of mechanism through the center (generally a rod, often metal, which conceals the electrical wiring and delivers it from base to top). If you want to pursue this, I've done it as a DIY for pottery and metal, but with glass I would recommend seeking out an old style lamp shop as they have the bits necessary to drill through delicate pieces without damaging them. The shop I'd used, in Burlingame, closed when the owner retired but I found them originally by simply going through the Yellow Pages looking at Lighting, Lampshades-Custom, etc. Generally someone who does custom lampshades will make lamps, on the side, or know of someone who does. Good luck!
You don't need to drill holes or in any way alter the vase if you're willing to have the cord run on the outside of the vase, rather than through it.
I would advise against drilling the glass due to chances of breaking, even by a professional. There are two sources in SF to take them to that I can recommend. The first is The Lamp Shop which is at the design center, the other is Light & Beyond by Yury. Both should be able to help you, but the Lamp Shop may only be to the trade. Not sure.
My recomendations are that you mount these to a base, add a cap with stem and harp and have the wire run from the top of the vase. Use a braided French wire and add a great shade. Be advised that this can cost as much as $250 and up for each one depending on how you fit them out. Of course get a quote first and shop around.
Good Luck,
George
Thanks so much for your comments everyone. I definitely have a little more research to do before I decide to either have the vases drilled or to put a cord on the outside. Has anyone worked with a lighting shop called Victor's on Potrero Hill? I have heard that they may also be a good resource. If I do decide to go and turn these into lamps I will definitely share a picture with AT.
JC
Victor's is a great source. I would definately go there for a quote. They know what they are doing, but can be kinda slow and I have asked them for quotes in the past for custom fixtures and either never got a response or it took them forever. On the up side, their work is fantastic. They are off of industrial on Palou and I think they are open on Saturday's as well.
George
Ditto Victors, they can make a lamp out of anything as long as you don't need it right away.
You can purchase special drill bits for approx. $10 at home depot, that are designed for drilling glass/ceramic/pottery/tile/etc.
I don't know about glass... but I drilled a ceramic vase and turned it into a lamp a couple days ago. no chipping/cracking, and it looks like a million $$.