We've made a few of these string pendant lamps over the last few months, but we've had a few technical difficulties with the process. They were a bit messier and more fragile than we had expected and we've since been on the lookout for a way to make it a more stream lined process. Our friends over at Crafty Nest seem to have done all the dirty work for us and have utilized hemp and a playground ball with smashing results! See the end result after the jump...
How To: Make Hemp Pendant Lamps
When we first saw the idea for the String Pendant Lamps in Readymade a few months back, we couldn't get to the craft store fast enough (hey we're a cheap date what can we say!). But upon returning home, the process seemed to take a ridiculous amount of time and we had several problems along the way.
The string slipped off the balloon and didn't have enough grip to hold onto itself as we wrapped more and more around. The Stiffy product used, dripped all over our bathroom floor (we placed it over our shower from a hanger to dry) and was difficult to saturate the string once it was already on the balloon. All in all, we were excited that we made a neat new thing, but disgruntled about the details of process.
Enters Crafty Nest and their tutorial for the same idea, but with products and a method that appear far more durable and easy to use. Instead of a balloon a play ball is used, and instead of thin embroidery string, stronger hemp is used. You'll get your hands dirty along the way, but it seems like a much easier process from start to finish!
Check out all the details, including some fabulous photos taking during the process over at Crafty Nest.
(Images: Crafty Nest)
Tags
lighting, How To..., handmade, diy, lighting, lamp, pendant, ball, stringRelated Links
- Slinks: Neo-Baroque Chandelier by ATELIER Abigail Ahern
n. (slingks) Surreptitious web links to other good sites - Droog's Hang On Easy Diffuser
- Thomas Paul Lighting at Seascape Lamps
- West Elm's Branch Table Lamp
- Look! Paperclip Pendant Lamp
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how fantastic is that!?
view mlleErica's profile
Ah! I love this!
I'm going to test it out with white hemp instead :)
view gingerpop's profile
Now that looks easy enough to try out and would be great in my son's bedroom. Wonder if I could paint it afterwards? Although I love the natural hemp color too. Great idea!
view Clayton Gray Home's profile
I never attempted the Readymade lamps because they did look like they'd be complicated. I like this method much better!
www.swankydigs.blogspot.com
view Tara77's profile
great! i never thought of hemp. but i always wondered why these diy string pendants used balloons instead of balls (which are only a couple dollars) ... balloons arent the right shape and can shrink up.
i want to try this this summer!
view erinpearce's profile
Makes you wonder about the price tag of those Moooi Random lights (although I think they're fiberglass).
view Swordspoint's profile
Clayton - you can definitely paint these. Back in Girl Scouts we used to make small scale versions of these (with string and a balloon), spray paint them silver or gold, and use them as tree ornaments placed over a bulb on the strand of xmas lights.
view kasiav's profile
Isn't Craftynest great!
view Lizzykewl's profile
Uh check out this project on This Young House!!
http://www.thisyounghouse.com/2009/05/if-at-first-you-dont-succeed-make-lanterns-out-of-bulb-covers/
view springishere's profile
Very nice. I tried this with a balloon and crochet thread and Elmer's glue. It came out...okay. I didn't like the shape. And yes it was slippery as all heck. I had to use too much glue, which then dried and showed between the pieces.
This looks much better, with the ball and hemp. I'm going to try this instead.
view BambiJo's profile
So flipping genius. I am going to make these and hang them in my melaluca tree.
view Seaside's profile
I'm I the only one that is grossed out by that first image?
view Jess2nola's profile
Yes.
view gekko's profile
Thanks Jess for mentioning it. I've spent all week avoiding posting that it looks like a giant nipple. I would have to use a different colored ball. lol!
view baileyb's profile
ha! me too! i just came to check this post to see if anyone else thought that picture looked like a nipple. i've seen that pic a couple of times this week and it stopped me short both times.
view cvjn's profile