Update an old lamp or add a personal touch to a new one with this easy DIY project. You won't need much more than rope and hot glue to turn an ordinary lamp into your very own creation. Don't have a lamp to use? Look for old chandeliers at flea markets or vintage stores, or choose any ordinary new one as your starting point.
Materials & Tools
- Chandelier or hanging lamp
- 100% cotton rope (example used 60 feet of ¾-inch thick rope)
- Fabric dye
- Scissors
- Tape
- Hot glue gun
- 2-foot x 4-inch piece of cotton fabric
Instructions
Dye about 20 feet of rope and the piece of fabric. Follow the instructions on the fabric dye package, and let dry completely.
Start hot-gluing the undyed rope to the chandelier. Working down one arm at a time, wrap the rope around the branches of the chandelier, hot-gluing it as you go. Add glue every 5 inches to make sure the rope sits tight.
Where desired, start with the dyed rope. Glue the end of the undyed rope (that you've been wrapping with) to the end of the dyed rope.
Continue twisting rope around and adding hot glue until you reach the end of the branch. Repeat on all arms of your lamp. Then, wrap and glue rope to the very top of the chandelier.
Rip your fabric into strips about 1" wide. Secure at the top of the chandelier's cord with hot glue and wrap the fabric down the length of the cord, hot-gluing it in place. Your new chandelier is now ready to hang and be admired.
Dye about 20 feet of rope and the piece of fabric. Follow the instructions on the fabric dye package, and let dry completely.
Start hot-gluing the undyed rope to the chandelier. Working down one arm at a time, wrap the rope around the branches of the chandelier, hot-gluing it as you go. Add glue every 5 inches to make sure the rope sits tight.
Where desired, start with the dyed rope. Glue the end of the undyed rope (that you've been wrapping with) to the end of the dyed rope.
Continue twisting rope around and adding hot glue until you reach the end of the branch. Repeat on all arms of your lamp. Then, wrap and glue rope to the very top of the chandelier.
Rip your fabric into strips about 1" wide. Secure at the top of the chandelier's cord with hot glue and wrap the fabric down the length of the cord, hot-gluing it in place. Your new chandelier is now ready to hang and be admired.
TIPS FOR INSPIRATION
- Create an interesting pattern by alternating rope colors or introducing several colors of rope into your chandelier.
- For safety, keep the rope a safe distance away from any light bulbs.
