How are y’all doing? I wanted to get this finished and posted yesterday, but have had neck and shoulder problems for a couple of days. Slept in a weird position, I suppose, and now can hardly move or turn my head. Anyway, I have another lamp makeover for you, this time with a trash can lamp shade. Yep, around here, we not only dumpster dive, we use the dumpster itself. Or trash can.
First up was to paint the lamp base. I don’t remember what color it was originally. I first painted it black several months ago, then it sat around looking for a shade. Much like the rooster lamp. Last week, I was experimenting on a piece of glass with spray paint and looking glass spray paint. I liked the look and decided to use the technique here.
The Lamp Base
First, I sprayed the lamp with purple paint, the same paint I used for the Tipsy Tuesday demo for changing paint sheens.
A light coat of looking glass paint gives it a silvery shimmer with a bit of the purple peeking through.
The Lamp Shade
For the shade, I used a wire trash can that had been lying around not fulfilling its calling.
Kind of cute just like that, but not very practical, unless you enjoy being blinded by the light. Now that song will be stuck in my brain.
I went to my stash of drop cloth fabric and cut out a cover for the trash-can-turned-lamp-shade. To do this, mark a beginning point at the top and bottom of the shade with masking tape.
Place the shade on the fabric, with the tape facing down. Lightly mark this beginning point (top and bottom) with marker or pencil. Carefully roll the shade, marking both top and bottom as you go. I marked about every couple of inches. I darkened the marks so you could see them more easily.
Continue rolling and marking until you get back to the beginning mark on the shade. Extend about an inch beyond that point. Draw a line connecting the top and bottom marks, both at the beginning and ending points. Cut out, adding an inch to the bottom line so that you can wrap it under the rim of the shade. The top has wire, so you won’t be able to wrap the fabric around that edge.
NOTE: The pattern for this type shade will be curved, which is the reason I rolled and marked the path of the shade. Cutting out a rectangle will NOT work!
Hot glue the top edge into place. Fold under the side seam and glue.
Stretch the fabric taut, fold it under the bottom rim, and glue into place.
Glue trim around the top to cover the raw fabric edge.
For the bottom, I made roses like the ones on the burlap rose topiary, but using drop cloth instead of burlap.
Much softer light.
I’m loving the pattern of the wire showing through. A fun little surprise, like the peek-a-boo lamp shade.
Whew! Are you still with me? Most projects like this, I don’t start out with a plan. I take it a step at a time, and decide as I go along what to do next. Sometimes this non-strategy works; sometimes, not so much.
How about you? Do you have everything planned out before you start a project? Got any tips for loosening up stiff neck and shoulders? I’m using heat and ibuprofen, and stretching as much as I can tolerate.
Doodles,
Partying here:
Funky Junk Interiors, DIY Showoff, Between Naps on the Porch, Thrifty Decor Chick, One Artsy Mama
Hey, I'm Sheila, and I'm so glad you're here! Stick around for a doodle of fun, faith, and furniture. Want to learn more? 
Very pretty, I’ve realised something, our lamps are totally different to yours. I wonder if its because we use a different voltage. None have that carry handle looking thing (not sure what its called) I have one of those bins, but here Madeleine likes to put it in her head and pretend to be a robot.
I rarely plan things! The pain a good walk to get the blood flowing might help but I guess it’s too cold for that where ou are? And now I have just that line of that song stuck in my head lol
Mel recently posted..Wet Your Pants Wednesday #18
Thanks, Mel. I think you’re talking about the harp- it’s just a bracket thingy used for attaching certain types of lamp shades.Madeleine has come up with an even better use for these cans!
I think this is a great project. So current looking and elegant. I am certainly going to use this. Thanks for the
insprration.
Love your new lampshade, Shelia! I have a shade in my craft/sewing room waiting for a makeover and I love how yours looks with your roses. I don’t have any drop cloth, but I should see what fabric I have here that might make for a pretty shade. Hope you work that neck and shoulder pain out soon. It sounds like you are doing what you can until it works itself out.
I love this darling lamp shade, and the grid showing through when the light is on is such a delightful surprise! Do you happen to recall where you got the grid waste can? Love the project. I also love working with painter’s cloth. I make custom name and date embroidered little pillow for weddings and babies, using the painter’s cloth!
I know you want to use heat on your neck and shoulders. You can start with heat, but always end with 20 minutes of ICE. It brings down the inflammation, which is what also causes the stiffness you are feeling. 20 minutes minimum, but no longer than 30. I’ve had neck and shoulder issues for many years! Also stand in a doorway opening, put your hands on each side, about chest-high. Gently lean your body forward, through the opening, while keeping your hands on the sides of the opening. It allows a nice stretch across your chest, which opens it all up. We all can do this to counteract the sitting at the computer so much! It feels nice. Just do it gently. Massage in the neck and shoulder area will also help release the over-tight muscles. Then a chiropractic adjustment helps me so much. My two cents, Shirley! Hope you loosen up soon.
Kim Banta recently posted..Faux Paint Treatment Not Always Best!
Ooh, thanks so much for the neck & shoulder tips, Kim!
I’m pretty sure I bought the trash cans at Target, in their dollar spot. I have one more, wish I had bought more, now that I know what to do with them!
to Kim and Sheila…yes, the doorway stretch does wonders..I have forgotten about that !! My chiro told me to do that years ago. Thanks for the reminder! Sheila I love the shade..how clever! I am confused about the top spray paint..dont know what that is?? But i love the idea of the purple coming through, sort of like Aubergine?
Now, I have a LOT of that tealish color wall paint that WAS in the living room first try, how would i go about painting my lamp with that, by using the glass spray paint over it? hmm since I dont know what the paint is , I , as usual dont know what I am talking about! Help?
Bernice, the looking glass spray paint is from Krylon. It’s meant to be used on clear glass to give it a sort of antique mirror look. It’s kind of expensive, but you wouldn’t need much to just lightly spray over your lamp after you paint. Here is the link on Amazon: http://tinyurl.com/bc6fq2v
NO! I meant to say Sheila!!! I typed Shirley in the last post! I don’t even know a Shirley, so I have no idea where that came from! Sorry…
Kim Banta recently posted..Faux Paint Treatment Not Always Best!
No problem! I had a teacher in elementary school who always called me Shirley, because she had taught my aunt Shirley years before. Then, when my sister got into her class, she called her Sheila!
Too funny!
I had bought several of these trash cans awhile ago, but am having a problem with getting the fabric to sit nicely against the wire. The can has a slight indent around the middle part, making it hard to place the fabric without seams, wrinkles etc. Is there a trick to you getting it to lie flat against the can?. love this and want to do mine. Thanks !!
Sandy, did you roll the can and mark your fabric like I explained above? You’ll end up with a curved pattern, and it should fit nicely against the can. Cutting a simple rectangle doesn’t work- I tried!
The drop cloth is also slightly stretchy, so that helps, too.
Yes, I rolled the can, but am thinking that maybe my fabric wasn’t stretchy enough. I will try again with stretchier fabric. Thanks !
I hope you have better luck next time!
I LOVE this lamb shade. Sheila, would you share what type of glue you used? Also, did you have to drill a hole for the harp, or how does that attach? I really want to make this! Oh, I will pray your neck feels better!
Nevermind about getting the harp in place – I realized it is only like a little screw thing that will fit through the holes already in the trashcan! You are soooo smart!
I used hot glue, hoping the heat from the light doesn’t loosen it! Thank you for the prayers- love you, friend!
Whew! That’s what I was hoping for!! I’ve heard the same thing about hot glue possibly melting, but I’ve used it to repair shades before and haven’t had a problem so far. I have an idea for this for
a gift. If it works, I’ll send you a picture! Love you!!
BeaUtiful.
I have a mesh trash can too. . .hmmmm
Catherine
Wow Sheila…that is so cute…what a great idea…I love how the mesh from the trash can shines thru the fabric!!…You are way too creative!!
Shirley@housepitalitydesigns recently posted..Something New in the Master Bath and My New Venture
Sheila, you are so dang creative! This is so cute!! I know why your neck hurts- making all of those fabric roses! I love the wire mesh showing through the fabric! I used one of these trash cans for a cloche with a knob on top, but would have never thought to cover it to use as a shade! I hope when we’re rooming together at Haven some of your creativity will wear off on me!
Betsy(@coastal-colors) recently posted..Taking A Break
Love this! Pinned it to my “Lamp Makeovers” board on Pinterest!
My fave part is how the grid pattern from the trash can shows thru when the lamp is on!
Laura / The Shed blog by Pet Scribbles recently posted..Spring Spool Craft Tutorial
That really is beautiful and so creative.. Fabulous work!!!
Maude
You are so very clever! What a great idea. And your shade turned out adorable!
Sonya@Beyond the Screen Door recently posted..A Study in Simple, Colorful Pillows
Oh my stars and garters! This is the cutest and cleverest project I have seen all week! Bravo!
Laura Ingalls Gunn recently posted..Making A Difference ~ Osceola
OK, Now we all have that song going through our heads!!
What a great lamp shade! I can never find one I like and never thought of making one. I love how the mesh shows through when the light is on… such a cool effect! And i’ve never heard of looking glass paint. It does wonders for the lamp.
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Sheila! First, that is so clever! Second, it’s GORGEOUS! Beautiful job. Wow!
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This is Awesome also Amazing
very talented
Lisa
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Oh my gosh, I love this!!! I can’t believe it was a trash can! And I love the look with the lamp on, how you can see the wire pattern…so so cool! I’m thrilled that you entered this in One Crafty Contest!
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