| Batik Lampshades |
From "Ask DIY"
episode ADI-112 |
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Q: Do you have any ideas for an inexpensive and creative lighting fixture?
A: (Debbie Stapley, Ask DIY Crafts expert) Here's an affordable idea. Start with a purchased lamp that has a self-adhesive shade, available from Wisconsin Lighting Company for less than $20. Then use a batik technique -- usually used on silk or cotton fabric -- to design a shade from natural fiber paper. Here's how: Safety alert: Rice paper is safe as a luminary, but make sure you use the proper watt bulb for your lamp. Materials:
Purchased lamp with self-adhesive shade
Rice or other natural fiber paper to cover shade
Paraffin wax
Brushes
Bleach
- Melt inexpensive paraffin wax in a double boiler at home.
- Cut a piece of rice paper slightly larger than your self-adhesive shade
Working smarter: Buy a few different types of paper first (figure A) before committing to a larger sheet. Rice paper is ideal, but any type of natural-fiber paper will work as long as it's no-gloss. Experiment with the bleach to see what color it yields on the paper you want to use. Green, for example, may unexpectedly turn yellow, not light green. - Using an artist's brush, paint designs on the paper with the melted wax (figure B). The simpler the pattern, the better -- swirls, dots or stripes.
- Dip a wide paintbrush into the bleach and then drag it over the entire sheet of paper -- wax swirls and all. This will fade the color from all parts of the paper except the designs that are covered by the wax. Blot the excess bleach with a paper towel.
- To remove the wax, iron the rice paper between two sheets of blotter paper with an iron set on medium heat. Keep ironing new sheets until you don't see any more wax when you lift the sheet. You can use sheets cut from a brown-paper grocery sack in place of the blotting paper, as long as the printing doesn't touch the rice paper.
- Take the protective sheet off of the lampshade and use it as a pattern to cut the rice paper to fit the shade.
- Center the shade on the paper, then roll it on to the paper. Fold any excess paper on the top or bottom of the shade to the inside and then attach it with household glue.
More questions for Debbie:
Q: I have an ugly old lampshade I'd like to cover with rice paper, but batik doesn't go with my decor. What are my other options?
A: You could try a handmade paper that's filled with botanicals (figure C) instead of the batik paper.
Q: The rice paper looks nice, but won't it catch fire?
A: No, rice paper has been used as a luminary for about a thousand years, so you don't have to worry about that.
Q: What's the best way to decorate the shade?
A: I don't know that there's one best way, but why not try adding some beads to the bottom? Poke holes around the bottom of your paper shade with a hole punch and then thread beads on wires through the holes. Web site resources for Batik Lampshades: Wood Batik Box from HGTV.com Batiking Tips from HGTV.com Decorating with Batik from HGTV.com Batik Tutorial from Craftown.com Batik Look Scarf from Duncan Crafts.com Book: Batik
By Susie Stokes
ISBN: 0754806294
Lorenz Books
27 West 20th St.
New York, NY 10011
Phone: 800-354-9657
Fax: 212-807-6813
Web site: www.lorenzbooks.com
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