How To Wire Up Your Junk Into A Light or Lamp
Re Cycle The Unusual To Create Lighting And Character To A Room
With the creative recycling of some unusual items you can make light fixtures and lamps. The antique potato basket, pictured makes a great first impression when used in a country kitchen or dining room. The Wow factor.
Maybe it is newer things that bring you to recycling I can see the mirror like reflection from those cast off dvd's.
So many things that reflect you personality are waiting for you to find them.
What's your style?
Country, Elegant, Sporty, Contemporary? Steam-punk?
Open up your creativity and make some money here. Not everyone has your creative side My blessings to you get out there and get recognized
Beware: Re Purposing can be addictive. It"s so much fun to create and you will love the results.
Photo Credit : nuji.com
Wire Up Your Junk
You may be nervous about working with electricity as a lot of people avoid electrical home improvements.
I myself get professional help for major home wiring needs so that they can be inspected and approved.
However wiring a lamp is really quite easy.
Safety First!
Unplug anything that you are working on. Plus turn off breaker and wall switch if working with ceiling fixtures.
Maybe you even have a friend with some experience to lend you a hand..
I have included some links and videos to guide you.
Photo Credit : misscaffeine.com.
What No Junk
Hard for me to believe, but oh well. You can head to the flea market, yard sale, thrift store, even the dollar store for some junk that you want to use and maybe an old lamp or two..
Don't forget to check out Habitat For Humanity Restore, Salvation Army and Good Will stores. When buying at these stores it helps your local community.
Look for inexpensive hanging lights or table lamps depending on the kind of light you want to make. The main thing to look for is good wiring parts. No frayed cords or missing plugs. The way it looks doesn't matter here as you will be just salvaging the wiring parts. Maybe you could recycle the base or lampshade for something else.
There are sources for wiring kits available if you prefer.
Photo Credit : Lucy Velez Old Photos
Find It At The Flea Market
Look for old table lamps to get wiring.
Pictured is the basic insides of a lamp
Look for old lamp shades to fix up.
Look for odd items that would make unique lamp shades.
Wiring Kits Available
These wiring kits come with basic directions and are inexpensive.
I cross my heart and hope you believe me one of my neighbors put 3 lamps to the side of the road the other day. I was not the least bit embarrassed to grab them and bring them home at the cost of $ 0
Colander Into Ceiling Light
Turned On or Off... this old colander or strainer makes a statement. I love the doily effect on the ceiling.
What do you think?
Elegant Lighting From Old Decanters
Perhaps a bit more polished is your style?
The Derby Hat Light
I do love this idea as pictured. I also like this lamp idea, a pair of boots as the base and cowboy hat for the shade, or even ladies heels and a chic hat.
The Derby Gets a Winner's Trophy From Me. How About You?
Lighting Links
- Some Ideas For Making A Lamp
Very interesting site.
How To Put A Bulb In It
Unwiring The Old
Square Wire Basket Similar To Anthropology Style
This basket light is by ashley ann. She gives great step by step instructions with photos to make the basket light pictured, similar to Anthropology
Please see and click the link below to take you directly to her site.
Link For Basket Light Pictured Above
- Anthropology Inspired Pendant Light
A how to make basket light with step by step instructions plus photos.