Creative Ways with Lampshades

Lamps are a beautiful addition to any home and also a way to conserve energy and light when using only a small area. There are all kinds, styles and colors and each one can become an extension of our own personality with a little creative addition. So get ready for ways to change your lampshade to suit your mood or take a wonderful plain one you have found at a thrift shop and make it yours!

You'll want to choose your materials carefully because you do not want to choose anything flammable. Lamps can build up heat and you need to be careful. Be sure that anything you use on the shade does not touch the light bulb. You can gather you material from nature, your own jewelry box, memories and even other donations.

1. If you have chosen a simple shade and wonder what to do you can start with additions you can purchase at any crafts store or craft department. Using a glue gun attach beaded fringe in a single color such as light blue. Glue it onto the shade so it hangs from the bottom of the shade for a sparkle affect. Next use the same type of beaded fringe and glue to the upper rim of the shade on the outside. This will give you sparkle from top and bottom.

If you would like to use the method with a little more flare you can start by gluing the fringe at the bottom edge of the lampshade and continue gluing the fringe ½ inch higher each time so that the beads barely overlap each row. Once you reach the top your shade will be completely beaded and beautiful.

2. Now it's time to take something from nature and make it personal. Use a light blue shade and start at the bottom edge. Glue tiny sea shells around the edge on the bottom and top of your shade. Once you have finished with the shells choose a larger scallop shell and glue 3 around the center portion of the shade. This is a very simple way to bring the ocean and waves to you without leaving your own room.

Nature lampshade #2 will consist of items found in most yards or parks. Start with very tiny pinecones and various small bunches of dry grass or flowers. In a small section at the bottom of your shade you are going to create a focus point. Start with the 3 tiny cones glued next to each other to form a tiny triangle. Next take your dry grasses you have collected and use only the top portion placed end to end. This will make a decoration approximately 3 inches in length. Glue it one inch above the cones. Once the decorations are dry choose a dry flower and glue to the center of the grass decoration with a couple of tiny pinecones surrounding it. You can repeat this process around the shade or leave as is for one simple decoration.

3. To create a lampshade of beauty from your own jewelry box is easy and fun. Search first for all the neck chains. They can be simple links of very lightweight chain to heavier length of colorful chains. Choose several earrings. This is great if you have missing earrings with only one available. Start at the top section of the shade and glue one end of the chain. Now decide if you want the chain to drape to the next section at the top of the shade or drape across to the bottom portion of the shade. Once you have chosen your first chain design glue only each end of the chain in place. Next glue an earring on each end of the chain attached to the shade. Continue with the rest of your jewelry in the same fashion as you move around the shade.

You can choose jewelry in various colors or choose one color theme such as purple, ruby or black. The shade becomes personal and very beautiful. Your friends and family will love what you have done and you will soon have request for purchases or gifts from everyone on your list.

4. To create a memory shade choose picture from your family or friends. Cut them in small shapes of faces or scenes. Cut them into circles, triangles or heart shapes. Once you have enough to satisfy your creative image glue them to the lampshade in various places. Next use a thin line black marker pen and write names, places and memories of each in between. Add touches such as tiny rhinestones or felt hearts for colors. Memory shades don't have to be only personal pictures. You can choose post cards, Christmas cards, magazines covers or pictures. You can also cut portions of music sheets and sayings from books you love to read. You can use a lampshade and thin line markers in various colors and add names, phones numbers and important dates to your shade. You can write one sentence of an important event with the date next to it and it becomes you personal journal for sharing. If you are having a party for something special let everyone add to a blank lampshade and later add pictures.

5. The unique ribbon shade. This one is different and it will turn out great. I am using ribbon as an example but there are so many other items you can consider for this type of shade. When you have your shade remove the outside fabric or covering so only the metal frame is left. Start at one place and tie a piece of your favorite ribbon. You can also use a hot glue gun to hold the ribbon in place. Next bring the ribbon to the lower part of the frame and wrap or tie it in place. Continue to wrap the ribbon from upper to lower frame until you have gone around the whole frame. Once you have done this part you can continue to wrap the ribbon again and this time weave it through different area's of the ribbon already in place.

You can tie the ribbon design in knots along the way or loops along the top then run the ribbon through the loops from the bottom causing a pull design. Other material to consider is leather strapping, cloth cut to narrow lengths, old jeans cut to various length and width's. Light weight rope, twine in different colors, yarn and so many other things.

Now you have 5 wonderful designs and suggestions to start you off. Make each lamp your own and share it with family, friends and internet friends. You will be the next home fashion statement in design and taste. So let your imagination go and have fun.