I originally found this candle hurricane at HomeGoods. It had a leather scrap secured around the top which was easy to remove. Also, I love the Mercury Glass.
Here are my step my step directions on how to make your own DIY Vase Into a Lamp.
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| lamp article |
DIY, transform a vase into a lamp, step by step instructions:
Step 1: Picking out your vase
I suggest purchasing a vase from your local discount home
furnishing store. A few tips to remember
when selecting your vase; make sure the bottom of the vase is not too thick (the
thicker the bottom the longer it will take to drill your hole). Also, turn the
vase upside down and make sure it is sturdy enough to hold a lampshade. Finally,
try to select a vase that is the same thickness from top to bottom. These types
of vases tend to be sturdier when flipped upside down.
Step 2: Set Up
Before you begin, it is best to prep your workspace. Here
are the materials you will need: (Left to Right)
-Ruler
-Measuring cup (1 cup) filled with cold water and one ice
cube
-Emery cloth sand paper
-A vase or candle hurricane (used here) to act as the base
of your lamp.
-Small hand towel
-Permanent marker
-Cutting board (sturdy surface)
-Lamp rewiring kit (you can find one at your local hardware
store): On/Off socket, cord
-Cork adhesive backing
-Electric Drill with a ½ diamond drill bit
-Wire strippers
-Screw driver
-Pliers
On my workspace, I use my wooden cutting board and a dishtowel
to keep my vase from slipping off. Keep in mind, little pieces of glass will
break off and the towel underneath keeps your workspace neat.
Step 3: Getting Started
Once your area is setup, use your ruler to mark the center of
the vase bottom. Using a permanent
marker draw a large circle, this will be the area where you drill your hole.
Before you begin drilling, pour water on the underside of
the vase, this will help keep your drill bit cool. You do not want it to overheat,
because this can wear out the bit. If the surface cannot hold water pour it
over your drill bit as you are drilling, keeping the surface wet.
Step 4: Scoring the Glass
Start with your drill as parallel as possible to the
vase. Drill slowly and do not use too
much pressure or you may break the vase. Hold the drill in place, it will move around a
lot, but you are trying to break through the hardened glaze surface. Once you have started drilling you want to
create a mark similar to this one. Think of this as scoring your glass.
Step 5: Drilling
Move your drill into a perpendicular position with your surface.
Drill slowly and with a firm grip. Soon you will feel the glass break as you
break through to the other side. This step will take about 15 minutes depending
on the thickness of your vase.
You will also need to drill an additional hole towards the
bottom of the vase for the cord to run through.
Step 6: Sanding
Now using a piece of emery cloth sand paper, sand the inside
of each hole which will dull the edges. Be very careful, the glass is very
sharp!
Step 7: Wiring Your Lamp
Now that the hard part is done, you can now wire your lamp.
Using the cord included in your lamp kit, feed the cord through the bottom hole
into the candle stick/pipe included in the kit. You will need about 6 inches of
cord at the top of your vase.
Before you push the stick through the top hole, screw on the
washer and a nut to the pipe. (double check that both are larger than the top
hole). Pull your pipe and cord through
the top and screw on an additional washer and nut larger than the hole (these
will help secure the pipe to the vase).
Next, pull the two strands of cord through the socket base
and screw the base onto the pipe. Using the two strands of cord, tie an
‘underwriters’ knot. You will need to determine which wire is the ‘hot’/positive
wire (this wire is smooth and has no ridges.) Loosen the brass screw on the
lamp socket. Using the positive wire, wrap it around the brass screw firmly
securing it against the socket without leaving any wires sticking out. Tighten
the screw to hold the wire in place. You
will need to do the same to the ribbed wire and the stainless steel screw.
Resemble the
socket by pinching the socket shell back onto the socket base. Screw on the
power knob and test your lamp.
Step 8: Finish
Once your lamp is working properly, apply the adhesive cork
backing to the bottom of the vase to protect your furniture’s surface (you can
also use felt fabric.)
Finally find an amazing place for your new lamp!
Please let me know if you make and a lamp and how it turns out!
Check back for pictures of the chairs.
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