Good Questions: Turn This Into a Lamp?

Hello AT,

I bought a pair of these at Target over the weekend for $20, with the intention of turning them into lamps for my nightstands. I want to get a headstart and have them done by the time we hit the 'light therapy' portion of the cure. I have no clue where to get the parts for this project. Any help will be appreciated. The vases are 14" tall.

a) Where can I buy cylinder lampshade frames
b) fabric
c) sockets (ones with cords coming off to the side). Hope fellow ATers can weigh in on this DIY project. Thanks! GZgoingMod aka Geraldine

(Note: Include a pic of your problem and your question gets posted first.
Email questions and pics with QUESTIONS in subject line to:
editor(at)apartmenttherapy(dot)com)
Link To All Good Questions

Dear Geraldine,

Good luck! Here are a few good resources we could think of:

Just Shades for shade frames
Broome Street Lampshades for the same
Lighting Plus for electrical parts
Joe's Fabric
Harry Zarin Fabric
B&J Fabrics

Anyone else??

Comments (13)

You can buy all of the internals (socket, wire, etc.) at any hardware store--or you could cannibalize another lamp for the parts. I'd say the only tricky part would be drilling the hole in the bottom of the vase. Good luck, and do post a pic when you're through.

I have re-wired two lamps recently. I used kits from Home Depot but all the kits I have seen seem to have been manufactured by the sames overseas outfit. You need the kind with various size rubber stoppers inside to put in the neck of the vase. Try to find a kit that will allow you to keep the cord outside so you don't have to drill a hole in the vase.
I've had to use dental floss to affix to the cord so I can pull it thru a small hole. I've used gorilla glue as a leveling compound. This can be frustrating so give yourself a lot of time.

Personally, I would go to a local rummage sale to find an old shade, rip the existing fabric off and reapply your own.. Since this project could become frustrating it shouldn't be expensive too..

try those lighting stores in manhattan like the one on broadway somewhere between tower records and houston, or 14th street between 5th and 6th avenues. there is a cork with socket and harp that fits the neck of your vase. then take your lamp to just shades on spring and elizabeth and try on cylinder shades til you get the right fit. i have an large italian glass wine cask that uses a cork socket and it looks perfect no need to drill and destroy the original bottle or vase.

RADIO SHACK

You could try this site http://www.lampsplus.com for shades. I haven't ordered one yet (but plan on it) so can't vouch for quality. But you can't beat the prices.

Thanks to all who chimed in with suggestions and links! between 'just shades', 'national art craft', 'lampsplus' and my local hardware store, I think I can make this happen. I did pass by Home Depot earlier this evening, but they had little to offer.

I'll be sure to post results once the project is complete.

I purchased a large glass pharmacy funnel on eBay that I wanted to turn into a lamp. I thought of going the DIY route, but I left it to the pros, who charged me $40. I thought it was well worth it. I have made my own lamps before, but I had some doubts about my ability to fit the collar properly so the shade wouldn't wobble. In my case, at least, leaving it to the pros was the right decision.

I agree with the folks who thought drilling the hole will be the most challenging part. I actually got my undergraduate degree in glass-- and I think, depending on the thickness and quality of the glass this could be a little tricky.

If you want to try it yourself, I'd reccomend using a dremel with the largest diameter diamond dremel bit that you can find (they are generally marketed towards jewelers, and tend to be pretty tiny). Use the outer edge of the bit (insted of the tip). You'll want to set up the glass under a steady drip/small stream of fresh water-- this will keep you from inhaling silica dust and keep the glass cool as you drill (regular, non-pyrex, glass can crack very easily from uneven heating-- i.e. the friction from the dremel). Go slowly and be patient. If the glass hasn't been properly annealed (cooled slowly, so that it isn't under stress), it may crack no matter how well you follow these directions.

A glass craftperson with a modest 'cold shop' might be an alternative with less heartbreak-- but also less DIY.

Good luck!

I love the idea that you have to turn them into lamps. I have no idea how to do it- but I like it. Good luck!!

When I read the post the first time I thought that you might want to put the light inside the glass, rather than using the glass as a base for the lamp. It sort of looks like a giant light bulb already. Why not turn it updside down, put a metal or wood frame underneath, run the wiring through the existing hole and throw a lightbulb inside? I know, you'd have to find a way to diminish the glare of the exposed light bulb. Anyway, I'm just throwing out ideas. ;)