Handmade bamboo lamps are a chic way to shed some light on any room in the house. Making bamboo lamps will not only give additional beauty to your home but also give you extra income on your pocket.
Selling different kinds of handmade bamboo lamps are a good business venture to start especially bamboo trees are abundant in the Philippines. With some crafting skills and creativity, your handmade bamboo lamp or nightstand light will surely be a hit in the market.
Bamboo Lamp
Materials:
one sheet of 1-inch plywood
a few sheets of reed or bamboo
a jigsaw
a lighting kit
copper weather-stripping nails
a hammer and swag
Instructions:
Begin with a sheet of 1-inch plywood. Use a tape measure to draw two 4 x 4 squares. On both of the squares, draw another square 1 inch inside the original lines.
Take one of the squares and cut along the lines with a jigsaw. Then drill small holes sporadically inside that second square (the second square will be the top piece. The holes will allow heat from the lightbulb to escape).
Next, lay the sheet of bamboo on a flat surface. Place the two cut-out square pieces flush on each corner of the sheet.
Roll the bamboo up to cover one edge of each piece of wood. Hammer the bamboo into place with a copper weather-stripping nail. Continue rolling the bamboo around the wood square, hammering nails as you go.
When the squares are completely covered, attach the lighting kit and the swag to hang the lamp from the ceiling.
Bamboo Lampshade
Materials Needed:
Pieces of bamboo (1” x 3” thick, 2 ft. long)
Handsaw
Caulk gun
Clear silicone caulk
Masking tape
Razor blade
Procedure:
Step 1: Remove the Cover of the Old Lampshade
Start by removing the cover of the old lampshade to be transformed into a bamboo lampshade – whether it is a cloth or plastic cover. Removing the lampshade from the lamp makes everything easier. This can be done with a razor blade.
Step 2: Cure the Pieces of Bamboo
Pieces of bamboo (can be 1” x 3” thick and 2 ft. long) may either be bought from a local craft supply store or acquired within the neighborhood. The pieces of bamboo to be used must be cured well, and no longer green in color. Green bamboo is prone to rotting since molding may occur. If you have green bamboo, you can cure it by putting it under the sun. After curing, coat the bamboo (now brown in color) with layers of urethane.
Step 3: Cut the Pieces of Bamboo According to the Desired Size
The size actually depends on the design you have in mind. On the average, 1” x 3” think and 2 ft. long is good enough. You can use a handsaw in cutting the pieces. Make sure they are longer than the length of your lampshade. In cutting the bamboo pieces, it is possible to cut them all at once or one at a time. However, it is imperative that they are all exactly the same length.
Step 4: Glue the Bamboo Sticks to the Lampshade
It is highly recommended to use clear silicone caulk since ordinary glues will not work. Using a caulk gun, attach the bamboo sticks to the lampshade. Silicone bonds well to any surface such as bamboo. When attaching each stick, make sure it will stay in place. You can wrap a strip of masking tape to the lampshade once you have attached all of the bamboo sticks, and remove the tape once the silicone caulk dries up.
Step 5: Decorate the Lampshade
Use your imagination and creativity when decorating the lampshade. It is possible to attach added embellishments that will go well with bamboo. The task is now complete and it is possible to sit back and admire the crafty work.
Source: “Bamboo Lamp” 10 April 2009. HowStuffWorks.com. 04 October 2011., doityourself.com
hope you have some photos of bamboo lamps as sample…