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How To Make a Twig Lamp
If you like the feeling of having the outdoors indoors, you might like the idea of a twig lamp. It's an inexpensive way to bring the beauty of nature into your own home. And it's easy to do! Follow these instructions to create your own twig lamp.
Step 1
Gather your materials. In order to make this craft, you'll need the following:
- Dried tree twigs (natural or painted)
- 3-4 big elastics
- White craft glue
- Scissors
- Sharp knife or pruners
- Threaded metal rod
- Electrical lamp kit
- Wooden lamp base (with pre-cut center hole)
- Felt pads
- Twine
- Thread
- Sewing needle
- Paint (if desired)
- Basic lamp shade
Step 2
Decorate your twigs. Your twig lamp can have either a natural feel or a more modern twist to it. If you want a contemporary look to your twig lamp, start by painting your twigs. White paint gives this project a crisp look, but you can choose any color you like. If you hang your twigs first, it should be easier to get paint on all sides of your twigs. Allow the twigs to dry before using them.
Step 3
Hide the metal rod. You want your twig lamp to look as natural as possible. So man-made materials need to be covered. To do this, first cover the metal rod that extends from the base of the lamp up to the light bulb. Run as many twigs as necessary along the length of the metal rod and keep them in place with elastics. Then use twine and lots of glue to hold the twigs in place on the metal rod. You can tie the twine in knots, in bows, or just wrap it in tight circles around the rod. The look is up to you. Be sure to remove the elastics as you go. Then allow the glue to completely dry.
Once the glue is completely dried, trim the twigs to your desired height. It looks a bit more nature-like if some of the twigs are left to ‘branch out' from the metal rod.
Step 4
Cover the lamp base. Just like the metal rod, the base of your twig lamp also needs to be covered. Use smaller pieces of twigs and glue them to the base of your lamp. You can create any design you like, but you might consider following the shape of the base with the twigs. (So if you have a square base, make squares with twigs. If you have a round base, make increasingly larger hexagons with the twigs.) The idea is to cover as much of the lamp base as possible with twigs, so no matter what pattern you choose, ensure the twigs are closely glued together.
Step 5
Put the lamp together. It wouldn't be a twig lamp if it didn't have the proper hardware. So you now need to install the lamp kit. Thread the cord up through the metal rod. Install the felt pads on the bottom of the lamp base so that there is ample room for the cord to slip out underneath. Then screw on the light bulb attachment.
Step 6
Decorate the lamp shade. Your twig lamp is almost complete. You've only got the lamp shade left, and you can decorate this in a number of ways. Consider attaching twigs to the lamp shade in an interesting pattern. You will need to use a thread and needle to do this, as glue will melt or burn from the heat of the light bulb. Another interested design is to trace and paint some leaves onto the lamp shade. That will make your twig lamp look like a tree lamp! Once the lampshade is complete, attach it to your twig lamp and proudly display it in your home.
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