Build Your Own Lamp Base Craft Project

Making your own lamp base is a fun and easy project. Children and adults can complete this craft project with success. The best feature of making your own lamp base it that you can make it in style that you want. I made mine in a vintage style, but you can go contemporary or even go for a theme. A bowling pin shape would be fun as well as almost anything else you can come up with!

To Build Your Own Lamp Base Out of Clay You Will Need:

Air Drying Clay
Clay Tools
Paint
Paint Brushes
Clear Acrylic Spray Paint
A light Kit
Lamp Shade
Light Bulb

I am going to give instructions for a general lamp base made out of clay. You can use these instructions to make any shape you want.

Start this easy project by breaking off a hunk of clay. Roll it between your hand and the table to make a coil. A coil around ¼ to ½ inch works best.

Start working your way around and around with the coil building up the side of your lamp base. For me I stated out making a 6-inch wide circle. I slowly work my way up and in. I dipped in to about 4 inches wide. As my lamp base got taller I worked my way out again to a 6-inch wide circle. You are basically creating large vase. Be sure to leave the top open. This is where you lamp kit will insert in to the lamp base, just like on a store bought lamp.

As I work up the clay base of my lamp I stop about every five inches and smooth the coils together. Keep a water bottle handy to spray the lamp base with. This will keep the clay soft and workable. You can use your fingers or wood clay tools to smooth the clay out.

Continue this process working up the entire lamp base. When you get to the top leave an opening that is about 2 inches wide. I recommend opening your lamp light kit and measuring the piece that will inert into your lamp. This will tell you how wide the opening should be. If you mess up and make the hole too small you can sand some clay away after it has dried. If the clay is still wet simply cut it away with a knife.

Once you have finished making the entire base you need to cut a small slit for the power cord to stick out of at the bottom. This small opening will allow your lamp to rest over the power cord and b level. Simply use a small knife to cut out a piece of clay at the bottom of your base.

Now for the real fun! Start carving away at your clay lamp base. You can make Greek inspired designs, geometric shapes, lines, polka dots, and more. You can also add some dimension onto your lamp by creating shapes out of left over clay. Attach this piece again by scoring and wetting the clay with water.

I did not put a bottom on my lamp base because I did not want one. You could easily make one though by simply making those coils again and then wrapping them around and around into a circle like a plate. Set you lap base on top of the plate and work the two pieces of clay together with your finger. You should score the edge of the bottom piece with a pencil or clay tool. Dip your finger in water and rub it on this roughened edge. Then place you lamp base on top. Work them together with your finger.

Now, let the entire clay lamp base dry.

Once the lamp base is dry you can paint it. I painted mine in gray primer first, then a coat of black semi gloss paint. It made a smooth surface as you can see in the photo. You can paint however you want though! Kids can really have some fun with the craft project here.

Once the lamp has dried spray it with clear acrylic spray paint to seal your work. I used a low shine spray on mine. You can also buy his paint in a matte finish.

Now, follow the instructions on your lamp kit ad install it into the clay lamp base you made! Add a shade and you are finished!

You can buy lamp kits at Michael's Arts and Crafts as well as at almost any home improvement store.