DIY Bamboo Lamp: Crafting Made Simple

Are you looking for a fun and creative way to add some light and charm to your living space? Why not make your own bamboo lamp?

It's easier than you think and can even turn into a way to make some extra money.

Bamboo lamps are stylish and can go well with any home decor. Plus, they're eco-friendly! Here's how you can make a bamboo lamp and a bamboo lampshade.

Benefits of Bamboo Lamps

1. Eco-Friendly: Bamboo is a sustainable resource.
2. Stylish: It adds a rustic or modern touch, depending on how you design it.
3. Affordable: Cost-effective compared to buying a designer lamp.
4. Extra Income: Once you master the art, you can sell these lamps too!

We already learned how to make bamboo pendant lights and bamboo mirror frames, here is how you can make the lamp and lampshades.

Making a Bamboo Lamp

Materials You Will Need:

• One sheet of 1-inch plywood
• A few sheets of bamboo or reed
• A jigsaw
• A lighting kit
• Copper weather-stripping nails
• A hammer and swag

Step-by-Step Guide

1. Cut the Plywood: Start with a 1-inch plywood sheet. Measure and draw two squares of 4x4 inches each. In each square, draw another square that is 1 inch inside the original lines.
2. Jigsaw Magic: Cut along the lines you drew on one of the squares with a jigsaw. Drill some small holes inside the second square. This lets the heat from the light bulb go out.
3. Prepare the Bamboo: Lay the bamboo sheet flat. Place the two wooden squares on each corner of the bamboo sheet.
4. Roll and Nail: Roll the bamboo sheet over one edge of each wooden square. Use a copper weather-stripping nail to hammer the bamboo in place.
5. Complete the Frame: Keep rolling the bamboo around the wooden squares. Hammer in nails as you go along.
6. Light It Up: Finally, attach the lighting kit. Use the swag to hang your new bamboo lamp from the ceiling.

Making a Bamboo Lampshade

Materials You Will Need:

• Bamboo sticks (1” x 3” thick, 2 ft. long)
• Handsaw
• Caulk gun
• Clear silicone caulk
• Masking tape
• Razor blade

How to Make a Bamboo Lampshade?

1. Remove the old cover: Start by taking off the old cover from a lampshade. This can be fabric or plastic. A razor blade works well for this.
2. Cure the Bamboo: The bamboo sticks should be brown, not green. Green bamboo can rot. If they are green, leave them in the sun until they turn brown. Coat them with urethane to keep them safe and shiny.
3. Cut the Bamboo: Use a handsaw to cut the bamboo sticks. They should be longer than your lampshade. Make sure each stick is the same length.
4. Glue Them On: Use a caulk gun and clear silicone caulk to stick the bamboo to the lampshade. Silicone sticks well to bamboo and will hold it in place.
5. Tape and Decorate: Use masking tape to hold the bamboo sticks while the silicone dries. After that, you can add any extra decorations you like.

• DIY bamboo paper
• Make a bamboo kite easily

Making a bamboo lamp and lampshade isn't just a fun craft; it's a way to add your own unique touch to your home or even start a small business.