Asked on Nov 18, 2015

The shade of this lamp broke and I would like to make a new one myself

Estelle
by Estelle
This is a very old lamp my father bought for me a long time ago. It had a cream ball shade, but it fell off and broke recently. I cannot find another that fits on there....and would really like to change it into something much more modern anyway. I don't want to buy another glass ball or the kind that looks like the old oil lamps' shades. I'm thinking of creating a shade for it with something..... Any ideas for me please?
  12 answers
  • Cj Avery Cj Avery on Nov 18, 2015
    You can buy reproduction lamp parts and they have different styles to choose from. I just replaced the chimney on my grandmother's 109 yr old lamp but changed the style. I don't know if I can post a business website on here or not. So Google, antique lamp replacement parts.
  • Janet Pizaro Janet Pizaro on Nov 18, 2015
    Would you consider making a beaded lampshade?
  • Meticularius Meticularius on Nov 18, 2015
    Hmmm. You might find a glass cylinder flower vase like a pasta container, cut off the bottom to make an open ended cylinder. Use one of those elongated light bulbs that screw in. Make a wire form cloth shade to rest on the top of the cylinder.
  • Emi Harr Emi Harr on Nov 18, 2015
    An upside down large pickle jar? Maybe stencilled with some barely there white paint to look like frosted glass?
  • Sue Sue on Nov 18, 2015
    I purchased 2 vegetable& fruit baskets at Target $12 each. Then I cut holes with wire cutters large enough to fit the base where the light bulb screws in. I use the 2 lights over my kitchen counter. You could use 1 basket for your shade or turn a 2nd upside down on top for a taller shade, (do not cut 2nd shade). The bulb is an S21 Marconi Style Antique 60 watt bulb. The long filements all light and are about 4" tall. I saw them at WalMart yesterday for $4.00. Sorry, I should have used a pen instead of a pencil. If you can't understand my drawing, let me know.
  • Dee Dee on Nov 18, 2015
    I recently pulled the key covers off an old piano someone had dumped (believe me, by the time I saw it, I was surprised the keys were still there). I am planning to drill little holds and use them for a (hopefully) kind of minimalist pendant light shade for a friend who is really into music.
    • See 4 previous
    • Estelle Estelle on Nov 29, 2015
      @Dee ...as promised ... here is the picture of the 'new' old lamp. I just love the bohemian look!
  • Estelle Estelle on Nov 19, 2015
    These ideas really got the creative juices flowing. Thanks you guys. Will show what I did when I'm done.
  • Cj Avery Cj Avery on Nov 19, 2015
    Also if you go to "You Tube" do a search for how to make a lamp shade than you just adapt it to what materials you want to use.
  • Tim D. (The Retro Den) Tim D. (The Retro Den) on Nov 22, 2015
    Hope you've had a chance to look at some of my post for making lamps. Cheers Tim
  • Estelle Estelle on Nov 23, 2015
    I have Tim. Great ideas too. I've been at a market on Saturday and I came across something that I would like to try. We will be opening an art gallery when we move to the bushveld in 2016, so I'm thinking everything 'arty' at this stage. Will show you guys when I'm done ...thanks for all the help anyway.
  • Tim D. (The Retro Den) Tim D. (The Retro Den) on Nov 29, 2015
    Missed this till just now. Congrats on the art gallery. Wish I could just hop on a flight to come check it out. Best of luck...
    • Estelle Estelle on Nov 30, 2015
      @Tim D. (The Retro Den) Thanks Tim. We are SO looking forward to it ...even though it's still a few months away.