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Trash To Treasure

Lamp shade...pitch or reuse?

19 years ago

I recently replaced a lampshade on a lamp in our bedroom. The inside plastic stuff is yellowed and started to crack and break off. I had this lamp shade back when I was about 8 and I can't tell you how old it was then..so it's at least 16 years old! I can't bring myself to throw it out. I keep thinking it could be used for SOMETHING. Any ideas? I thought about taking the plastic stuff out but isn't that what makes the shade safe and the fabric next to the bulb wouldn't be a great idea?

Thanks!

Leslie

Comments (4)

sherree
19 years ago
i am rite now in the middle of turning one into a pillar candle chandlier. turn upside down and place plate on the smaller end. embellish with prisms and vintage necklaces. place pillar on plate and hang by wire chain.
sherree. i will probably have mine finished next week and will post a pic.
Carol_from_ny
19 years ago
I have one that someone wrapped in lace from top to bottom. You can no longer see how awful the orginial shade looked. I always use a low wattage bulb in it to be safe.
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Yes,I noticed the trim on the shade was little uneven & the back looks like they might have used a cut off cutting board or paintbrush. Probably made out of necessity as in "necessity is the mother of invention" maybe by a college student or young married guy. But I'm sure it served its purpose well. I would have put the trim on straight & on the back used either paneling with smooth side out or at least a piece of felt to enclose the "inside of the workings" Would get dusty in there & attract spiders! TFS Jan
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Good morning, ladies! No need to be jealous auntjen, with that home of your and your recent CL finds. Allison, I'd be curious as to what you 'd have done with this lamp. I just LOVE to work with my hands and create stuff. You see it in my sewing, and my joy at finding things that need a bit of work. I prefer to buy stuff on eBay and CL that needs a little something, because it's what I do for fun. When other kids were playing with dolls, I was drawing (Jon Nagy Learn to Draw!) and painting on smooth stones that I found at a local beach. And once I learned to sew, I was off and running. Check out the faux lynx throw that I made from gorgeous fake fur from WalMart. I was surprised to see the quality, which was far nicer than anything Joann's had. I backed with with a solid fleece, and it's perfect to keep cozy and protect the couch from the dogs. Here Jenny is modeling it. Better pic of the true colors. The fur has graining in it like a real pelt would, and the spots are recessed a bit. I've never seen such real looking fake fur. The entire throw is 100% machine washable and dryable.
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littleredhen
19 years ago
Okay I'm being a little goofy here.....What if you sprayed or painted something clear on the shade to make it weatherproof? Then take some kind of semi-tall limb or fat dowel rod and stand it up in one of your flowerbeds, Put the shade on it so that it looks like some kind of outdoor lamp. Okay I am going back to my game playing...or was it housecleaning....SHOULD be house cleaning! lol
Ina Plassa_travis
19 years ago
unlike the fancy sewn-silk-lined shades, the plastic-or-paper with fabric over it shades are farily easy to rehab.

the actually sell lampshade backing here and there- or you can use mylar, or even heavy rice paper (or cardstock, if you're not looking for a translucent shade) with fabric spray-glued to it.

remove the old shade carefully, and use it to make an exact copy. make up the new panel, and use clothes pins to hold it on the rings while the glue is setting, then use bias tape or grosgrain ribbon to trim the top and bottom :)

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