DIY Veneer Lamp

Hello!  It's Randi from Swoon with another project for your home.  I'm a big fan of lamps and the coziness they bring to a home.  We have several scattered throughout our space, but I'm always on the lookout for more.  Lamps can get expensive though, and I love the idea of making your own!  This veneer lamp was inexpensive to make and is neutral enough to suit any decor.  Want to make one of your own?

Here's what you'll need:

• 1 roll of 2"x8' veneer edging, found at most hardware stores
• 2 10" sized embroidery hoops, found at most craft stores
• 1 pendant light kit. I used the $5 HEMMA from Ikea
• low wattage light bulb
• a piece of cardboard or chipboard (at least 10"x10")
• small glue gun
• scissors
• ruler
• pencil

First, open your veneer edging, cut two matching strips, about 33" long, and set aside. Remove the outer circle from both of your embroidery hoops (the part with the metal screw) and save for something else. We'll be using the two inner circles for the base of the lampshade. You'll want to heat your glue gun while you do the next step.

Lay your cardboard on a flat surface and trace the outer edge of one of your embroidery hoops with a pencil. Take your lamp kit and unscrew the ring (right above the light bulb socket). Trace the inner edge of the unscrewed ring with a pencil in the middle of the circle you just made. Cut both circles out to form the top of your lampshade.

Using your glue gun, carefully glue one of your veneer strips to the inside edge of an embroidery hoop. Secure the small overlap of veneer with glue. Go slow and make sure you line the edges up. The next step is a little tricky, so take your time! Glue your other veneer strip to the outside edges of both the embroidery hoops simultaneously (see photo above). Put glue on a small section of both hoops at once and attach the veneer slowly, taking care to keep the edges lined up. Secure the overlap of this strip with glue as well.

Now that your lamp shade is formed, it's time to attach the top. Lay your lampshade flat on the table and glue the edges of your cardboard circle on top, and your shade is done. Insert lamp kit through the hole you've made in the top and screw the ring into place. Add a low wattage light bulb and hang as you wish!