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    Home » Decor

    July 9, 2019

    How to make a pretty paper lamp | Easy DIY

    How to make a pretty paper lamp from chalking up success dot com

    Only you will know that this contemporary interior design element is a really easy paper craft, lovingly handmade by you. Yes, this paper lamp will be a statement piece in your home but the best bit is, it's recyclable and can be used with energy saving lightbulbs too!

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    What you'll need to make a Contemporary paper lamp

    Time needed, about 1 hour.

    Here's how to make a Contemporary paper lamp

    1. Tools needed:

      Paper surprise surprise, I actually used 2 sheets of light card.
      Ruler or some kind of measure
      Paper folding tool (unless your ruler has a rounded edge)
      pencil
      Cutting tool
      Cutting Mat
      Gold Pen
      Hole punch or needle with large eye
      String in the same or a contrasting colour to the paper
      Hot glue Gun (not shown)
      Lamp kit like this one
      Low energy lightbulb (not shown) Tools needed to make a DIY paper lamp

    2. Measuring & Cutting

      Using the cutting tool or scissors and the cutting mat, cut each piece of card to 12x25 inches. Add a line of paper glue to the short end of one of the pieces of card and place the short end of the second piece of card on top so that you have one long strip.

    3. Making the folding lines

      With the ruler, measure along the bottom of the long edge making a mark every 2.5 inches. Repeat with the opposite (top) side. Draw lines with the gold marker, joining the top and bottom marks.


      You will end up with twenty sections. Somehow, I ended up with the last section being slightly smaller than the rest but once the paper lamp was finished you couldn't notice it at all so don't panic if that happens to you.

      Next, make an 'X' over two sections as you can see in the photo below.
      Shows the folding pattern of vertical lines and crosses

    4. Folding

      Before you start to fold the lines score them carefully using a craft knife. Make sure you do this gently so as not to cut through the card completely. You could use the back of the cutting knife for a blunter edge. Take your time and make sure you score right to the end of the card. Scoring the card will make folding much easier and result in a crisp clean fold.

      Gently fold the vertical lines first, zig-zagging back and forth (like an accordion).
      Gently fold the vertical lines first, zig-zagging back and forth (like an accordion).

    5. Shaping

      Now comes the hardest part of this whole paper lamp process – but you're almost finished so take your time. Where the 'X' meets in the middle of the card should be pushed up towards you and the vertical lines should be pushed down. I found it helpful to press over all the folds with the rounded edge of a small wooden ruler before I started shaping. The crisper the folds, the easier it will be to shape the paper lamp without it tearing.
      Folding the paper lamp template into 'mountain peaks'

    6. Attaching the light to the paper lamp

      If you want to see the gold edges (as I did), turn the shaped card over so that the gold is on the bottom. Make a hole through each of the folds which are pointing upwards. If you don't have a hole punch, you could thread the string through a large embroidery needle and push that through the paper instead.

      Thread the string through the holes.

      Pull the string together to form the lampshade and tie tightly.
      Pull the string together to form the lampshade and tie tightly.

      Using the glue gun, glue both bottom edges of the lampshade together.

      Slip your light kit through the lampshade and your paper lamp is Finished!

    The paper lamp is finished and hanging in my tiny office
    Beautiful goal planning Calendar available as a free download from JLC Solutions.

    So there you have it, contemporary interior design on a tiny budget with a low impact on the planet, what could be better than that! My paper lamp will be the show-piece of my tiny office, where will you hang yours?

    The finished paper lamp hanging in the office

    Other paper crafts to try:

    How to make and stencil a giant paper bagphoto shows a DIY giant paper bag painted white with the top rolled down to reveal the natural tan colour of the inside. The bad is stencilled with dandelion seedheads in the colour 'Graphite'. A smaller bag in natural brown holds a vase of white freisers.

    How to make beautiful pressed flower lanternsCreate a cosy atmosphere and add extra special light to your home or patio, Follow these step by step instructions for making papermache pressed flower lanterns. Make them with your kids and create memories that will last forever. #lanterns #pressedflowers #pressedflowerlanterns #homedecor #diy #autumndecor #falldecor #kidscrafts

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    Welcome friend! I'm Jayne, a home, DIY, Lifestyle blogger with a passion for chalk painting furniture, beautiful home decor and creating an organic home.

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    The 'Furniture Flip Checklist' is a free mini e-Book in PDF form - 10 things you need to know before buying used furniture for your home - Room planning guide included #freeebook #chalkpainting #furnitureflip #recycle #homedecor #furniturepainting
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