Make A Beautiful Handmade Paper Shade
To make this pretty handmade paper shade globe for a pendant light fitting, you just need some very simple craft materials and equipment. You can make your paper shade any size that you wish to work with your specific light.
Papier mache is a great craft for kids to help with as well. I remember using balloons when I was a child to make papier mache bowls. I have quite a few posts showing papier mache techniques, so please feel free to have a look at those also.
To Make This Handmade Paper Shade You Will Need
Materials
- Balloon
- Wallpaper Paste
- Handmade Paper Scraps (Including Flowers and Leaves inside)
- White or Cream Tissue Paper
- Gauze or Mesh
- Cardboard Ring (Same Size as Light Fixture)
- All Purpose Glue
- Pendant Light
Equipment
- Container for Wallpaper Paste
- Small Decorators Paint Brush
- Pin
- Scissors
Making A Papier Mache Handmade Paper Shade
Step 1
To start making your paper light shade, begin by blowing up a balloon fully to give the papier mache a firm base to stick to. First you will need to apply wallpaper paste to the strips of handmade paper. Stick them onto the balloon. Make sure that they overlap in a random arrangement, starting at the top.
Step 2
Make sure that you cover the top two thirds of the balloon with three layers of handmade paper, tissue paper and the gauze or mesh. Then leave the whole thing to dry thoroughly, which may take several days. Then once dry, use a pin to pop the balloon and remove it from the paper shell.
Putting Together A Handmade Paper Shade
Step 3
Next, cut a small hole in the top of the paper shade, using the light fixture as a guide for this.
Step 4
Then reinforce the hole by gluing a cardboard ring inside the shade. Then screw the two halves of the lighting fixture together on each side of the shade. I would recommend getting an electrician to wire the fitting to a flex cord. Now you have a pretty decorative paper pendant shade.
Handmade Paper Shade Conclusion
This again, is one of those projects that is very simple and yet people always mention it. Somehow it looks so much more interesting that a regular lampshade. And always draws attention and interest. Have a go and let your creative skills go crazy.
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