Reclaimed Wood Lamp with Geometric Himmeli Shade!

Reclaimed Wood Lamp with Geometric Himmeli Shade!

Upcycled and reclaimed projects are my favorite! This awesome lamp was made with an old piece of a pallet, a lighting kit and straws. Yes, this lamp with geometric himmeli shade cost nearly nothing to make and it makes such a statement!

This awesome lamp tutorial has been updated from it's original 2014 post. This lamp got me so much attention! I won the Grand Prize in an Instructables Contest, was flown to Atlanta Georgia for a special event and won a huge selection of tools from Home Depot. I've had numerous people send me pictures of their lamps, inspired by mine. This is why I do what I do!

I pulled an old pallet apart...and there were big wood blocks between the layers. They were junk and were placed in the "burn later" pile. Last weekend we lit a smore's fire and I found one of the blocks!

Instantly in my head, it became a rustic reclaimed wood lamp...and I rescued it from smore's fodder!

Supplies Needed for Reclaimed Wood Lamp with Geometric Himmeli Shade:

• 4 by 4" wood block
• Drill and 3/8" drill bit
• Bottle lamp kit &/or pull chain kit
• Coffee stirrer straws
• Wire (I used floral wire)
• Pliers/Scissors
• Gold spray paint (optional)
• Wax or stain (optional)

  

Step 1: Drill the Hole

Begin by drilling a hole in the center of the top of the wood, but not all the way through the bottom. Then drill in from the backside until it meets up with the center hole. I didn't measure or anything...it just worked!

This is essentially making an "L" shaped hole through the block of wood.

I used the pull chain kit and the threaded tube from the bottle lamp kit to make this work.

Step 2: Install the Lamp Kit

After drilling the hole, use a small wire and fished it from the backside up through the top. Then tie off the electrical cord on the backside wire and pull it through the hole. Pull gently so the wire doesn't slip off the electrical cord.

Then put the hollow threaded tube around the cord and twist it into the top hole in the wood block. It fit perfectly and tightly. Use pliers to tighten it completely.

Step 3: Wiring the Light

Now, follow the directions for wiring the electrical cord to the lamp. Begin by screwing the bottom of the lamp unit onto the threaded tube. 

Then tie and "underwriters knot" in the electrical cord. Note the difference in the cords--one has a ribbed coating and the other is smooth. This is important.

Next, attach the wires to the light bulb holder/pull chain part. The silver screw gets the ribbed wire, and the smooth wire gets the gold screw. (Again, reference your individual Lamp Kit instructions and not mine).

Then tighten the underwriters knot right under the socket so it will fit down inside the socket cap tightly.

Then put the shell over and line up the pull string and press it down until it snaps into the socket cap.

Just curl the wire in a hook, loosen the screw and slip it around it before tightening it down.

The top piece just clicks down inside the base tightly. Then the lamp is wired. and ready for cosmetics.

Step 4: Wax or Stain Wood

Now treat the wood block according to your preferences. You could paint it a color, add some wood stain or just rub on a little finishing wax to the wood.

 Just rub finishing wax on the wood block with a small disposable cloth.

That's it! It looks great., but the most important part is to make sure the light actually works! Simply, twist in a little light bulb and plug it in to see if your wiring was correct.

I always pray when I plug it in...hoping it all works! Success--and the best part, it's adorable!

Step 5: Geometric Himmeli Lamp Shade

The lamp is absolutely perfect just like this...but I thought a fun homemade geometric shade was in order!

I did a Himmeli Geometric shade using coffee stirrer straws and thin gauge floral wire. Himmeli are Finnish mobiles traditionally made of rye straw. This one is actually made of plastic straw and not a mobile...but whatever.

It's a geometric icosahedron shade.

I began by cutting my straws in half...3 1/2 inches. Works great to use a rotary cutter and line them up on a cutting mat, then cut them all at once. 

Next,
Unwrap a length of wire...about a yard or meter.

Then thread on 3 straw sections...twist the wires to make a triangle.

Then add 2 more and twist on the other side to make a double triangle/diamond.

Then add 2 more...twist and add 2 more...etc.

Sounds confusing but once you get started it's pretty simple. Just make triangles with the straw pieces.

Until you make a triforce!

Then essentially every junction of straws is a set of 5 straws. It takes a little practice, but comes together pretty naturally. There is some double wiring through straws to get them where you need them.

But it's pretty fun too!

Any time you need more wire, just twist on another length of wire like this. The straws will cover any wire junctions and it will look amazing.

 Keep it going until you have made the entire Icosahedron!

It's got 20 triangular faces. Twist up the last wire and thread the remainder of it through the closest straw.

Awesome--this would be a fun knick-knack just like this. Place it on the mantle, entry way table or use as centerpieces for an event like a wedding!

Now just place the himmeli shade over the light. The small light bulb helps it fit perfectly without any of the straws getting too hot from the light. LED bulbs are the way to go, because they don't even heat up.

You could leave the geometric himmeli shade the natural black as pictured below. It looks great.

Step 6: Paint!

Or decide to paint it. I decided on bright gold. I used spray paint and lightly misted the straws...let dry 
and repeated until the entire thing was covered. 

Use light layers of paint, letting it dry in between so you don't get any drips or clumps.

It's so cool.  It looks like it's really brass or copper tubing!

Who would guess they were plastic straws?

Looks amazing as a lamp shade too!

I just set it on the wood block without mounting it. You could tack it in place with staples or hot glue. Now it's ready to adorn the living room, bed room end table or light up the study with it's geometric glow!

Just look at how amazing it is reflected on the walls!

I've had this lamp now for 8 years. I still love it and use it. It's survived all the moves across the country and from house to house. I'm super happy with it. It's small and simple, with a totally chic vibe, but obviously made from reclaimed supplies. It's a showstopper for sure!

I love it!
I am totally obsessed.

I turned off all the lights and called a family council so my kids could see it an compliment me!  
Haha--I think they were glad they didn't have to help me make it. 

All in all it took me 2 hours, plus spray painting/drying time. I had the spray paint on hand, so I just had to buy the lamp/lighting kit and that cost nearly nothing--less than a pizza. 

Do you love it? Do you think you'll give it a try?

Take a picture and share it on social media--tag me @doodlecraft so I can see it and cheer you on!

Like, Pin and Share!