How to Create Custom Lampshades

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Decorate Your Lampshades for a Custom Look!

I had a plain white lampshade that was me begging to decorate it. So I complied and did so using a very old Webster's Dictionary . What a perfect idea for someone who loves books and reading. And it was a challenge: How was I going to go about Decorating this Lampshade?

I do not like to tear up a perfectly good book, but this one was definitely beyond repair.

First step: I searched the internet to find directions and ideas for decorating lampshades.

Second step: I searched my home to find the supplies for this project. After all, I really did not want to get out -- it had been raining a lot and I did not feel like getting wet. I also wanted to use up what I had on hand or reuse materials. Don't want to over-load those landfills.

What do you think of my decoupaged lampshade pictured here?

How I Made My Decorated Lampshade: 

Click on each photo to enlarge it and read the comments.

Supplies laid out that I might need. I found the Tacky Glue too thick and watered it down in the bowl. I ended up using the brush and not the sponge brush.

Supplies laid out that I might need. I found the Tacky Glue too thick and watered it down in the bowl. I ended up using the brush and not the sponge brush.

Supplies laid out that I might need. I found the Tacky Glue too thick and watered it down in the bowl. I ended up using the brush and not the sponge brush.
Before!
Gently ripping the pages out of the old book. Remember, it was one that was beyond repair. I am recycling this old dictionary.
Dusting off the lamp shade with a dry dusting sponge.
Applying the glue to a small area of the lampshade. I like to work in small batches. I also put glue on the pages of the book before applying the m to the lamp shade.
Where you place the pages is not really important. Since this book had no illustrations, the most interesting pages had the Capital letters on them. I tried not to cover the letters. I used all 26 pages.
I brushed the watered down glue over the top of the pages after I applied them to the shade. This was done to provide a seal. It also became a dull glaze--as opposed to a really shiny one. I prefer dull.
Used my had to rub the pages in place.
Trimming the bottom with scissors.
Trimmed the top with the box cutter. Be careful!

I need your advice about my lampshade? 

OK all you crafty people out there, is my lampshade finished? If you think I am not finished decorating lampshades at my house, give me ideas. Please!

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  • Reply
    M7Laurie M7Laurie Oct 25, 2009 @ 10:38 pm
    Hi Mickie ~ Being 'brand spanking new' to Squidoo, just posted my 1st lens this evening, this lens of yours is the 1st one I've looked at. Having spent nearly 20yrs as an Interior Designer and all of my life enjoying crafts & everything 'Domestic Diva-ish', this lens caught my attention. It is a great project & shows me that so much more can be done with these lenses. Now I just have to figure it all out. Thanks for the inspiration! Laurie
  • Reply
    kimmanleyort kimmanleyort Oct 12, 2009 @ 9:03 am
    newspaper headlines, toy catalog, nature scenes, photographs, wow - the list could be endless.
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My Virtual World: 

Yes, this is one of my blogs.

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About my lamp: 

It was born in the early '60s

The lamp base used in my lampshade project has been around for a long time. It was mine when I was 13 years old. It is white hobnail glass and the original shade was pink velveteen. It kind of looked like a wide brimmed loopy hat.

I am scouring the web for a picture of this shade. The lamp was made in the early 1960's. If you have a photo of one, please send it to me so I can see if it is the one. Check back later to see if I found it.

Supplies You might need to buy for decorating a lampshade: 

White Round Paper Shade

White Round Paper Shade

Amazon Price: $61.99 (as of 11/25/2009) Buy Now

Odds & Ends- A Potpourri of Exotic Handmade Paper Scraps

Odds & Ends- A Potpourri of Exotic Handmade Paper Scraps

Amazon Price: $6.25 (as of 11/25/2009) Buy Now

Shizen Handmade Decorative Paper Assortment- Brown/Cream/Green

Shizen Handmade Decorative Paper Assortment- Brown/Cream/Green

Amazon Price: $7.99 (as of 11/25/2009) Buy Now

Shizen Handmade Decorative Paper Assortment- Reds/Yellows/Oranges

Shizen Handmade Decorative Paper Assortment- Reds/Yellows/Oranges

Amazon Price: $7.99 (as of 11/25/2009) Buy Now

Shizen Handmade Paper Assortment- Black/White/Silver

Shizen Handmade Paper Assortment- Black/White/Silver

Amazon Price: $7.99 (as of 11/25/2009) Buy Now

Another way to decorate a paper lampshade: 

Paint it!

I almost wish I had done this instead of trying to decoupage mine with pages from a book.

You know what? I bet I could add some painting to my shade to finish it out. Maybe in gold?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KwWozLh_wfg

Decorating with Flea Market Finds : Lamp Shade Décor With Flea Market Finds

How to pick lamp shades at flea markets to decorate your home;get expert tips and advice on affordable interior design in this free home improvement video. Expert: Denise Robinson Bio: Denise Robinson resides in Austin, Texas. She has designed sets for both TV and film for 12 years in California. Denise has used many flea market findings to cut overhead and budget cost for films. Filmmaker: Dana Glover

Runtime: 2:19 | 8988 views | 3 Comments

 

automatically generated by YouTube

You must have glue to decorate a lampshade: 

Vote for your favorite one to use for craft projects.

I found that the "Tacky Glue" in the gold bottle was just too thick to use for my lampshade project. It was also difficult for me to thin with water--but that could just be me.

I liked using my pva glue that I use to repair books. It was easy to use right out of the bottle and also easy to extend with water.

If you have Elmer's Glue on hand -- as most of us do, just use that. Thin it with water if you find it too thick.

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Gamblin PVA Size 32oz Bottle

Gamblin PVA Size 32oz Bottle

Gamblin PVA Size A new contemporary size to be use more...1 point

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Elmer's All Multipurpose White Glue, 4 oz. (E372)

Elmer's All Multipurpose White Glue, 4 oz. (E372)

America's favorite all-purpose glue. Perfect for s more...0 points

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Clear Gel Tacky Glue

Clear Gel Tacky Glue

All-purpose craft glue that offers the same superi more...0 points

4

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Aleene's Tacky Glue 4 oz Dabber

Aleene's Tacky Glue 4 oz Dabber

This tacky glue is the original, and still the bes more...0 points

There are even blogs about customizing lampshades! 

Who would have guessed that there were so many bloggers who would share their craft ideas?

How to customize a lampshade with a Sharpie » Curbly | DIY Design ...
How to customize a lampshade with a Sharpie · By DIY Maven. Scrounge up a plain old white lampshade*. Print a pretty silhoutte to use as a template. Tape the template to the inside of the lampshade. Sit in front of a window, ...
How to make a custom lampshade. » Curbly | DIY Design Community ...
Judy Lake hand crafts one-of-a-kind lampshades at her shop Lake's Lampshades. She's now sharing her secrets in this very informative tutorial. To make a custom lampshade of your own, you'll need: 4" x 7" x 7" square bell frame ...
Pepper Design Blog » Blog Archive » Chic Custom Lampshades!
Custom lampshades are an excellent way to add detail & personality to your home. Whether a standing lamp with strong patterns for a kid's bedroom, a delicate hanging pendant over the dining room table or an eclectic addition to the ...
Shade that lamp: Fun Custom Lampshades
These custom lampshades were made for a sweet friend. I made this small purple drum as a gift for Anna, who watches my 3 children. They love her and I did not love her lampshade in her bedroom :-) Anna is way more fun then a plain white ...
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Lampshades come in all sizes, shapes and colors: 

Tiffany Lamp in the AIC by Mr. T in DC

Tiffany Lamp in the...

Marchard d'abat-jour, rue Lepic by George Eastman House

Marchard d'abat-jour...

lampenschirm by loop_oh

lampenschirm

Lamp Cluster by Kevan

Lamp Cluster

Fancied up by Ben+Sam

Fancied up

lights at whitechapel art gallery by sara~

lights at whitechape...

weird lampshades by antony_mayfield

weird lampshades

2009 08 22 - 8580 - Altoona - Lampshade by thisisbossi

2009 08 22 - 8580 -...

Nice lampshade shop by dichohecho

Nice lampshade shop

Lampshades, V&A by GillyinKent

Lampshades, V&A

automatically generated by Flickr

Vote for your favorite Lampshade Decorating Video: 

Some of these people are very creative. I enjoyed watching them all and got several ideas for future projects decorating lamps around the house.

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How to Re-Cover a Lampshade 0 points

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How to Make a Custom Lamp Shade : Gluing Fabric on Custom Lamp Shade 0 points

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How to Make a Custom Lamp Shade : Custom Lamp Shade Styles 0 points

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DIY Lace Lampshade, Threadbanger 0 points

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DIY Modern Lampshade 0 points

Supplies mentioned in the "Decorating Lampshades" Videos: 

3M Spray Mount Artist's Adhesive, 15-1/4-Oz. Can (MMM6065)

3M Spray Mount Artist's Adhesive, 15-1/4-Oz. Can (MMM6065)

Amazon Price: $8.49 (as of 11/25/2009) Buy Now

Clothes Pins Traditional Wood w/ Spring 100-Pack Wooden Clothespins (40700) by Whitney Design

Clothes Pins Traditional Wood w/ Spring 100-Pack Wooden Clothespins (40700) by Whitney Design

Amazon Price: $7.28 (as of 11/25/2009) Buy Now

SILVER TONE TRENDY ROUND CIRCLES CHAIN LINK BELT

SILVER TONE TRENDY ROUND CIRCLES CHAIN LINK BELT

Amazon Price: $13.99 (as of 11/25/2009) Buy Now

Get Ideas to customise you lampshades! 

Copy, imitate, use or expand on these decorating ideas:

How to Decoupage a Lampshade With Fall Leaves | eHow.com
How to Decoupage a Lampshade With Fall Leaves. Bring in the outdoors during the fall by decorating common household items with leaves. One great project that can be completed in about an hour is decoupaging a lampshade with fall leaves. This...

Ever remodeled a lampshade? 

Share, share, share! We all need ideas to steal.

Thanks for your participation!

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Getting Crafty: 

Decorating lampshades with tie-dye fabrics and photos sounds like a terrific idea.
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