| Colorful Paper Shade |
From "Ask DIY"
episode ADI-211 |
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Q: There are so many pretty papers at the craft and art stores. Is there some decorative way I could use this paper? A: (Nate Berkus, Ask DIY Decorating & Design expert) You can build terrific lanterns with that paper and use them for garden parties. Just follow these steps: Materials:
14-gauge wire
Wire cutters and pliers (figure A)
Craft beading wire
Large sheet of rice paper
Silk cording
Cellophane tape
- Purchase some 14-gauge wire, which is easy to cut and bend. Use wire cutters to cut a 3-foot section. Bend it into a triangle to use as a base, with the sides about even and the ends overlapping a few inches.
- Cut three more pieces, each about 2 feet long.
- Use needlenose pliers to loop one edge on each piece of wire (figure B).
- Use the loops at the ends to thread the three pieces of wire onto the triangular wire base (figure C), sliding one loop to each corner of the base and then reinforcing the connection with craft beading wire.
- Once all three pieces of wire are connected to the base, close the base triangle by overlapping the ends and securing them with more beading wire. Then draw the three pieces of wire to a point above the base and wire the tips together, forming a wire form that is shaped like a three-sided pyramid.
- Choose the color of rice paper you want to use. Rice paper is the only choice, because it's inflammable. Unless the craft store guarantees that another type of paper won't catch fire, don't experiment with other papers!
- Lay the wire frame down on the paper, with one of the long triangular faces touching the paper.
- Run a line of fabric glue along one of the long side wires of the frame (figure D), one that's resting on the paper.
- Using the frame as a template, cut a pattern from the paper, leaving an extra 3 or 4 inches on each edge so you'll have enough paper to fold over the wire frame (figure E).
- Run your finger underneath the paper on the table, down the line of the wire where you've placed the glue. That will make the metal stick to the paper instantly.
- Run another line of glue on the paper itself, about an inch inside the wire. Fold the excess paper over the wire to connect with the glue line (figure F) and smooth it down. Cut any excess paper.
- Keep gluing the wires, cutting shapes and gluing the paper until you've covered all three of the long triangular sides (but leave the triangular base open).
- Cut three equal lengths of silk cording long enough to use to hang your paper shade. Use cellophane tape to wrap the end of each one so it won't fray. Then slip the end of one piece of cording through one of the loops at the base of the paper shade, and tie a knot to secure it (figure G), leaving about 4 inches extra on the short end of the knot. Repeat with the other two loops and pieces of silk cord.
- Draw the loose ends of the three silk cords together and use them to hang the shade on a bulb. Make sure you use the proper wattage light bulb for the light or lamp you have. Too high a wattage -- not rice-paper shades -- causes fires!
- If you like, tie ornaments such as chandelier crystals to the bottom of the shade.
More Questions for Nate:
Q: I have an area above my sink that is covered in pink tile. How would I go about wallpapering over the tile?
A: The best thing you can do is remove the tile -- you can't really wallpaper over it.
Q: I just found out I'm going to have a baby! Do you have any suggestions on how to decorate a very small baby's room?
A: (Ask DIY Design expert Nancy Golden) When you're doing a small space, use the ceiling as a fifth wall. So, if you're doing a cloud scene or a jungle scene, go ahead and put your paint all over that ceiling. Also, don't stop your wallpaper patterns or drawings at the doors -- go right over them, and your room will seem much bigger and more fun!
Q: I have an ugly orange countertop in my kitchen that doesn't go with my country-cottage decor. How do I work with that ugly orange when the rest of my colors are blues, yellows and greens?
A: Save your money and replace that countertop! You'll be so much happier with the result. Web site resources for Colorful Paper Shade: Flower Lampshade from HGTV.com Colored Lamp Shades from Family.com Books: Lamp Shade Book: 80 Traditional and Innovative Projects to Create Exciting Lighting Effects
By Dawn Cusick
ISBN: 0806987006
Sterling Publishing Inc. (1998)
387 Park Avenue South
New York, NY 10016
Phone: 212-532-7160
Fax: 212-513-2495
Customer Service Phone: 800-367-9692
Customer Service Fax: 800-542-7567
E-mail: webmaster@sterlingpub.com Complete Lampshade Kit
By Heather Luke
ISBN: 0316879282
Little, Brown and Company Inc. (1997)
Time Warner Inc.
1271 Avenue of the Americas
New York, NY 10020
Phone: 212-522-8700
Web site: www.twbookmark.com
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