Make a Jute Lampshade for Cheap!

$4
1 Hour
Easy
Need a cool, unique, one of a kind lampshade? Make one for less than four bucks!
I have to say, when lit at night, this shade is really super duper ridiculously cool.
Bought a thrift store lamp. Came with no shade. Boo. What to do? I wasn't interested in buying an off-the-shelf one. After running into some ridiculously cool inspiration, I opted to make my own! Come visit my blog Flipping the Flip at humboldtartdept.blogspot.com for the inspiration link and so much more!
Ran into some trouble with this shade as the paper was holding the whole thing together. Rats. And ugh. After a few arguments with it, I won and reassembled the shade framing.
Using some finer jute twine, I strung around the frame vertically, making sure to toss in a few angles.
Using some slightly thicker twine, I wove through horizontally. I didn't wrap and cover the metal framing entirely in the jute but one could certainly do that.
Once done weaving, it looked a certain mess. Oy, what have I done?
But! Once on the lamp, it looked right cool. It does need to be lowered for sure but the socket, well, that's another story.
Close up it's super neat and texture-y.
But lit is when this shade really shines. Heh, pun, shines. It creates the coolest shadows! All for less than four bucks! Be sure to click the link below to read all the details about this project as well as all sorts of other great ones!
Becky at Flipping the Flip
Want more details about this and other DIY projects? Check out my blog post!
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Frequently asked questions
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  3 questions
  • Chris Keating-Ingelse Chris Keating-Ingelse on Dec 16, 2015
    Great idea! I have a lamp shade "skeleton" that's getting a new look now!!! And, where do you go thrifting? I want that lamp!!!
  • Irene Kogan Irene Kogan on Dec 16, 2015
    is there any danger from having jute/rope/twine so close to a hot lamp?
  • Deanna Deanna on Dec 16, 2015
    Do u think the shade could be also transformed with the jute twine? The shade was torn
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  • Leslie Leslie on Jul 24, 2022

    To those concerned with being a fire hazard using LED bulbs will keep the heat way down and not cause undo concern.

    • Great tip, thank you! Most shades are made of fabric or paper, generally speaking as a point of reference but yes, LED or CFL bulbs generate much less heat. Thanks!

  • Leslie Leslie on Jul 24, 2022

    HI Becky, this came out beautifully and yes you are right the lamp post or the harp needs to be shorter or smaller. Well done :)♥️

    forgot to add this to my answer to a previous post on where you got the glass lamp. tall glass vase


    • Thank you very much! I found the lamp base at a thrift store which I believe is a Crate and Barrel base. Thanks so much!

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