Give an inexpensive paper lampshade a rich and sparkling look with a fringe of glass or plastic beads. Materials:
Lampshade
Optional: acrylic craft paint and brush
Tape measure
22-gauge brass wire
Hatpin or large needle
Old or new beads
Needle-nose pliers with cutter inside
- If desired, paint the lampshade with acrylic craft paint and let dry.
- Measure the diameter of the bottom of the shade to determine where to hang the beads.
- Use a hatpin to punch evenly spaced holes around the bottom edge of the shade (figure A).
- Unroll an appropriate length of wire, cut it with the needle-nose pliers, and knot the end by twisting it with the pliers.
- Starting at the seam in the shade, thread the end of the wire through the first hole from the inside of the shade, and pull the knot snug against the hole. Thread one bead or several onto the wire, and insert the wire through the next hole. Use this method to create a border of beads along the edge of the shade with a running stitch (figure B), or lace beads one by one so they dangle from the bottom edge of the shade (figure C).
- When the fringe of beads is complete, untwist the wire knot, and twist the two wire ends together. Clip off excess wire.
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