Thrift Store Lamp Makeover

[Sinclairwife]

Turn a plain table lamp into a perfect accent for any room, you pick the pattern and color to match your decor.You can pick and choose any color and pattern you like.

What you need

1 sheet solid colored tissue paper
1 sheet patterned tissue paper
12" length of ribbon to match color scheme
acrylic paint to match color scheme
white craft glue
water
thick bristled paint brush
gloss acrylic sealer spray


Begin by cutting up tissue paper into squares, approximately 2" x 2". The pieces do not need to be perfect, any shape will do. You will also need some smaller scraps of tissue paper for filler pieces, but those can be cut as needed from the larger squares.

Remove lamp shade from base and set aside. Mix white craft glue with enough water to make a thin, paintable solution that is not see through, mixture should be white. Place lamp base on a sturdy, protected work surface.

Using the paint brush, apply some of the glue mixture to a small area of the lamp base. Carefully lay a tissue paper square onto the painted surface. Get your paint brush wet again and gently flatten tissue paper, be sure that tissue paper does not have any dry spots. Be sure to use a gentle hand as tissue paper can tear easily. Continue this until the majority of the lamp base is covered.

To fill in gaps on the lamp base, use tissue paper squares and overlap existing squares. This will create a mosaic effect (see photo). Cut smaller scraps and strips from remaining squares to fill in any gaps along the top and bottom of the base. Set lamp base aside to dry.

The material of the lamp shade is not as adhesive as a porcelain lamp base, therefore you will first need to apply a layer of glue mixture to the lamp shade, covering it completely. Next, begin applying the patterned tissue paper squares to the lamp shade in the same manner as the lamp base. Continue until shade is completely covered. Allow to dry.

By now, your lamp base should have had time to dry. Spray base with a coat of gloss acrylic sealer. Allow to dry for time recommended on can (usually 15 minutes between coats). When dry, apply a second coat and set aside.

When lamp shade is dry, carefully apply a coat of glue mixture all over the lamp shade. Allow to dry and then spray with gloss sealer as you did the lamp base. Set aside.

Tie ribbon around the neck of the lamp base. Tie in a bow and trim the ends. When shade is dry, put the shade in place on the lamp base. use acrylic paint to paint the upper and lower rim of the lamp shade. Allow paint to dry.

Plug in and enjoy!

[voodidit]

Good idea!