Allsorts Lamp

Turn a boring, plain-coloured lampshade into a completely wacky extrovert by adding 'allsorts' of unusual trimmings. Almost anything non-perishable that will thread can be used - the brighter, the better. The choice is yours. Check out the toyshop, especially the pocket money section, where bright beads, miniature dolls and animals and fluorescent plastic balls are all waiting to be snapped up. Another good source is a stationery store; multicoloured plastic paper clips and decorative pen tops can be put to a decorative use their inventors would never have credited.

You will need:
- Plain conical lampshade
- Square of paper or cardboard
- Pencil
- Set square
- Hole punch
- Strong needle and thread
- Selection of beads, toys, baubles, etc
- Glue


Here's how:
1. Place the lampshade on a square of paper or cardboard and draw around the bottom edge in pencil.

2. Use a set square to divide the circle into eight equal segments.

3. Replace the shade on the paper or cardboard and mark the divisions around the edge of the shade in pencil.

4. Use the hole punch to make eight small holes about 1cm up from the edge of the shade, in line with the pencil marks.

5. Attach a bead securely at the end of the length of thread, as an anchor, then thread on a selection of your chosen baubles and beads.

6. Fix to the shade by sewing the thread through one of the punched holes several times, finishing with a secure knot. An extra bead can be glued to the edge of the shade to cover the thread. Decorate the rest of the shade in the same way.


Let your imagination run wild with this project - there are so many ways to dress up a plain lamp shade.

  source: instant decorating