DIY Network

Cubular Lighting A unique light fixture is created. From "From Junky to Funky" episode DFJF-311

Host Samantha Gleisten uses embroidery hoops and old lamp shades to create a unique lighting fixture for the newly designed living room.

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Materials:

2 lamp shades
6 embroidery hoops
4 3/4" plywood cut outs
80"x40" long cloth
30'x1/8" cable
cable ferrules

Figure A

1. Cut a center hole in four plywood squares (figure A) 1/4 inch smaller than the widest diameter of the lamp shades.

2. Drill 1/4 inch holes in the corners of each plywood square an inch from the outside edge.

3. Using a round over bit, rout all the edges, and then the top and bottom of the two center pieces of plywood (figure B).

4. Using 1x2 pine and a chop saw, cut the trim pieces to line the outside edges of two of the plywood squares. Cut the corners at 45-degree angles, and then install with wood glue and a nail gun (figure C).

Figure B

Figure C

5. Paint the squares using different colors for the face and edge.

6. Cut two pieces of 1/8 inch cable to 400 inches in length.

7. Fold one length of cable in half, and then lay on the table. Starting from the bottom ends, measure and mark at 26-5/8 inches, and then at 53-1/4 inches, and at 80 inches.

8. Repeat the process for the other length of cable.

Figure D

9. Slip the cable ends down through two of the holes on the top plywood square, sliding them through until they hit the 80 inch mark on both sides (figure D). This will create a loop on the top side.

10. Run the remaining cable through the other two holes, stopping at the same 80 inch marks.

11. Using four 1/8 inch ferrule stops, place and crimp all four ferrules at the 80 inch mark on each of the cables. Make sure the ferrules are on the bottom end of the plywood.

12. Slip the cable ends through the next piece of plywood until the 53-1/4" mark is hit. Using four more 1/8 inch ferrule stops, place and crimp at each 53-1/4" mark--again making sure the ferrules are on the bottom end of the plywood.

13. Slip the cable ends through the next piece of plywood until the 26-5/8" mark is hit. Using four more 1/8 inch ferrule stops, place and crimp at each 26-5/8" mark, on the bottom of the plywood.

14. Slip the cable ends through the bottom piece of plywood. Using the four remaining 1/8 inch ferrule stops, place and crimp at the very end of the cable, under the plywood.

15. Hang the cable loops from the ceiling so the lamp can be finished upright.

	Figure E
	Figure F
	Figure G

16. Drill a pilot hole into the top of the plastic lampshades (figure E). Using a jigsaw, cut an 11-1/2" hole in the top of each lampshade. This will allow light to travel through the 12 inch light tube.

17. Place one of the shades through the top plywood square with the narrow end facing down.

18. Cut the fabric to 39 inches in width.

19. Place the first embroidery hoop at the top of the fabric to begin the tube formation (figure F). Slide the rest of the fabric down through the hole in the lampshade.

20. Attach the remaining embroidery hoops down the fabric about one foot apart from each other. These will hold the fabric in the proper tube formation.

21. Place the other plastic lampshade on top of the bottom plywood square. Run the remaining fabric through the hole in the lampshade, and then cut off any excess material.

22. Cut two strips of scrap wood long enough to rest inside the plastic lampshade without falling through. Attach a light socket to both strips, and then install a plug tail in one of them so that power can be run from the bottom fixture to the top.

23. Set the fixture with the plug tail in the top of the lamp through the plastic shade. Run a wire from the plug tail to the bottom fixture, connecting to the power supply.

24. Rest the bottom fixture in place underneath the plastic shade (figure G), and then run the power cord out through the hole.

Project Cost:

Plywood frames: $10
Embroidery hoops: Free
Fabric, lamp shades: Free
Aircraft cable, lighting: $45

Total: $55

RESOURCES :

The Brown Elephant
Website: www.howardbrown.org/hb_brownelephant.asp