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.
Few items have held the curiosity of generations of Americans as the well-loved lava lamp has done. The continuously moving blobs of mysterious liquid inside these lamps have hypnotized and entertained many people over the years. Its enduring appeal could be the reason why it is considered such an iconic design piece. Due to its colorful and dynamic nature, it is widely considered to be a fun accent piece for kids’ and teenagers’ rooms, a game room, or a den.
Although, a lava lamp is tremendously popular, we sometimes forget the science behind the moving blobs of liquid inside. In fact, finding out how a lava lamp works makes for a great science project for the kids. The basic principle in operation here is the fact that oil and water do not mix. In the lava lamp’s case, the blobs that we see are a mixture of colored melted or liquefied wax and some special expanding agent that allows it to take a more movable form as it is suspended in liquid. Definitely, a lava lamp can be made at home using ordinary ingredients. Here’s how to create your very own lamp.
Step 1
Gather the materials—Except two items (non-toxic automotive antifreeze and perc), most of the materials needed are found around the house. For the lamp, you will need a large glass jar with a tight cover, distilled water, and coloring. For the “blob,” you will need melted candle wax, tetrachloroethylene or perc (the ones found in degreasers or in dry cleaners), salt, distilled water, and non-toxic automotive antifreeze.
Step 2
Prepare the lamp and the water—To begin preparing the lamp, make sure that it is cold by placing the jar inside the freezer for a few hours before assembly. Once it is sufficiently cold, fill the jar with distilled water until it is about two or three inches from the lip or the rim of the jar. Add the coloring. Then, add a heaping teaspoon of salt, replace the lid, and shake the jar vigorously to ensure that the salt is completely dissolved. To this you may add small sparkly beads for added design and interest. Set this aside. You are now ready to create the mysterious “blob.”
Step 3
Make the oozing “blob”—To begin, mix 11 tbsps of melted wax and six tbsps of perc in a separate container. Do remember that the perc will expand and greatly increase the pressure inside the jar so carefully screw the lid back on. Afterwards, swirl (not shake) the jar to ensure that the two elements are mixed thoroughly. Before pouring drops of “blob” into the jar with distilled water, let it cool thoroughly because its density will change once it has cooled down. If you want a blob whose color contrasts with that of the water, you may also color the wax using a tinting agent. Tighten the lid and tilt it a few times to check for leaks.
Choosing the right table lamp for illuminating and decorating a space is as important as selecting the right work of art. Choose a table lamp simply based upon the design and style and you might end up with the lighting that is not right for the space. It is important to choose a table lamp not just according to the style of the base, but also based on the size of the space, lamp height, and the style and design of the shade. Artificial lighting is vital in any room, and the table lamp you choose has the power to make or break the look of the entire space.
Step 1
Choosing the right table lamp for illuminating and decorating a space is as important as selecting the right work of art. Choose a table lamp simply based upon the design and style and you might end up with the lighting that is not right for the space. It is important to choose a table lamp not just according to the style of the base, but also based on the size of the space, lamp height, and the style and design of the shade. Artificial lighting is vital in any room, and the table lamp you choose has the power to make or break the look of the entire space.
Step 2
Number of Lamps According to Room Size. A single table lamp will not adequately illuminate a large room, even with the brightest bulb regarded as safe to use. As a rule of thumb, a room of average size requires approximately four or five sources of artificial light. Keep in mind the colors of the walls when you are ready to choose a table lamp. A room with darker walls will absorb light rather than reflect it back into the space, and more than four or five light sources will probably be necessary. A dark area with one ceiling fixture and two floor lamps will likely require two table lamps to sufficiently light the space.
Step 3
Height and Harmony. When selecting a table lamp, keep in mind the height of the piece of furniture where the table lighting will be displayed. A tabletop light fixture should be no more than 1 ½ times the height of the furnishing it sits upon. Also, the diameter of the lampshade should be no wider than the tabletop to look appropriate in the room. Achieve a sense of balance in the room by displaying all lamps including tabletop and floor varieties, at the same height. The shades should be designed from similar material, and the bases should be the same style to look like they belong.
Step 4
Shade Considerations. Lampshades are a major consideration when it comes time to choose a new table lamp, and they are not all made to achieve the same purpose. Each style and type of fabric used to design the shades will create a different effect, and the shade for a table lamp is just as important as the style of the lamp base. When looking for decorative lighting, choose an opaque fabric shade. It will illuminate the space from ceiling to floor rather than outward for reading and completing other tasks that require light. Choose this style for looks rather than for practical purposes. For reading and for visual comfort when completing tasks requiring light, select a lampshade that diffuses light. High-quality paper or fabric shades are ideal for this purpose.
Many factors come into play when choosing tabletop lighting, but the possibilities are limitless. Take your time and consider more than color and style before you choose a new tabletop light or a set of lamps. The lighting you choose has the power to transform the entire look of the space, and a room can be meticulously decorated, but if the wrong table lamps are chosen it will not look nearly as stylish or as impressive as it would when embellished with carefully selected sources of lighting.
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