When we first saw the Whirl-It Lampshade, we immediately imagined it hanging over our dining room table. It's like something you'd see priced for quite a lot of money in a design shop, and yet this version is homemade. And it's really quite simple to make: you basically just need a balloon, cotton yarn, and wallpaper glue.
We saw this over at the blog Pickles, and she was kind enough to allow us to share part of her How-To here:
One big, round balloon and balloon pump
2 balls of yarn, preferably cotton or acrylic (Pickles used this)
Vaseline
Water resistant marker
Wallpaper glue
An old box in which to mix the glue and the yarn, and a stick for stirring
Gloves
Something to hang the lamp by, such as the Hemma cord set from IKEA
Paper cloth
Wire with lightening bulb
1. Gather all the materials.
2. Put the yarn into the glue and mix properly. Work the glue into the yarn without unveiling the ball. Fill the balloon to a desirable size. Rub it in with a thin layer of vaseline.
3. Get your hanging device, and mark a circle at the top of the balloon that's 1 -2 cm smaller than the hanging device.
(Images: Pickles, used with permission.)
© 2010 Apartment Therapy
I remember doing this at some point in my childhood - and I'd love to do it again!
view acvaz's profile
*bookmarks*
view nerdnik's profile
I'd recommend using a toy ball you can buy at toy stores/Walmart/Target for $2-$3. They're much more durable and you won't have the inevitable sag at the top of your lamp that a balloon always makes.
view DillyDallyHome's profile
Kim Miles of HGTV's 'Miles of Style' made this on one of her shows. She used the balloon method.
view 1050908's profile
I'm only confused about one part: how to get the lamp part in/out? The instructions say make the opening 1-2cm smaller than the fixture. Great--that will hold the shade to the lamp. But, how to get it IN there? And how to change the light bulb, later?
view singer's profile
Singer- not really sure, maybe they meant bigger instead of smaller. I am guessing that you would have to get the lamp parts first and figure out how it will hang first, then figure out how it all goes together.
view Cally's profile
Made 1 for my BF for her birthday,used the top from cheap chinese paper lantern,the round metal frame and just used cable ties to fasten it to the shade.cut out big enough hole for the lamp at the top...
view shubZta's profile
Already been done, with much better effect. Check it out here:
http://www.craftynest.com/2009/03/hemp-pendant-lamps/
view King of Arcadia's profile
i made one of these earlier this year with string and woodglue. i used a beach ball inside so i could reuse it and make a few more. i get tons of compliments on it =) i think it would also be cool to try it with lace or other materials.
warning: it takes several hours (and lots of string!) to do this, and you end up with lots of glue all over!!
view christyyyjoy's profile