Geometric Cut Paper Table Lamp

I've been making cut and folded paper lamps for a while now and get a lot of pleasure from designing, building and enjoying them. I was thinking that I've gotten so much from Instructables I would give a little back.

You can probably get this lamp made in an afternoon (depending on paint drying time) and it should cost about $15-$20. It uses simple techniques of symmetric and asymmetric pop folds which can be the basis for more complex designs. My goal when designing is to make things with a single sheet of paper that look like they couldn't be made with a single sheet of paper. You can see more of my work at my web site drewpingdesign.com.

Enough gabbing, let's get lamping...

Step 1 Gather Materials

Supplies:

Paper - 24-3/4" x 18" (see Step 4)
Long metal ruler or metal straight edge & ruler
Craft knife with new blade
Something to indent the paper - embosser, blunted nail, empty ballpoint pen, etc.
Tool for pressing folds - bone folder, hard thing, etc.
Double stick tape - 3/4" wide
Puck light with cord, switch & plug
3/4" wood cut to 5-15/16" square
Bumper feet about 1/4" tall
Cord holder clips
Heat shrink tubing or liquid electrical tape
Drill with 1/4" & 3/32" bits
Soldering equipment
White paint
Possibly some other stuff

First we'll build the base...

Comments

[isarrais]

(removed by author or community request)

[drips]

I don't like it, I LOVE IT!!

I've thought of making metal versions before but couldn't decide on a method to build it. If you care to share your process I'd like to learn. Thank you so much for making this wonderful creation. It is beautiful.

[isarrais]

Thanks for your comments, Andrew.
I can show you some others iron´s kirigami designs if you want.
[e-mail]

[isarrais]

I made this. It´s 18 kg of iron. Hope you like!
Thanks!

[gairon_saga]

wow this is great, hope i can make it too.

[Poolshark152006]

Used standard tagboard with 3 10mm Super Bright LED's and make a little pyramid out of semi transparent paper which diffused the light.

[Rain For Me]

Wow, yours looks great!

[Blakeney]

Great instructable - what about an e12 socket and bulb? Not sure how to affix the socket to the base, though. Could use threaded pipe, but you'd need to thread the base.

[drips]

Yeah, that's why the puck is so nice - it's easy! I've used lots of different parts and if you want a regular screw in bulb you could try something like these:
(surface mount socket - medium base)
http://www.electronicplus.com/images/products/659-SP.jpg
http://images.marketworks.com/hi/58/57750/l9880-10PK-2.jpg

It would be essentially the same mounting technique as for the puck but you'd have more bulb options.

[kwoodham]

These LEDs from Ikea are great for the less technical-minded among us: http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/00119424/
They also come in a colored version for people who like that. They've got a nice long cord to each light, too, so you can spread them out all over the place.

[keraiwailjs]

:D I like it.

[vsree]

nice :) <3

[smoke399]

These lamps are amazing. Is there any way to get directions for your other lamps? I'd really like to give Eight a try.

[chinchymork]

This is a really sweet lamp!!! I made one out of thicker 8.5x11 in. paper and it still turned out really good. I used green LED's for the light and it is amazing. GOOD WORK!!!!!!

[bwool1]

Congrats on the first place trophy in the second pic!

[chinchymork]

lol i didn't even notice!

[acosicris]

think green! I like this!

[drips]

Nice mood light! I love it in green. :-)

[lasermaster3531]

you know what else you could do? you could build a circuit with a potentiometer so that when you turn the dial, the color would change. (red, green, and blue leds, 1-5 megaohm pot. say, 1 meg.=all red, 2 meg.=all green, 4 meg.=all blue, 5 meg=purple, and anywhere in between would be different shades.) just an idea but this is awesome! 5***s!

[greenrangr125]

 made it this afternoon, i am in love. thank you.

[lamalamalama]

Made it last night! Amazing instructable. Thank you :)

[krhansn]

You are brilliant and I can't wait to give your lamp a try. Thanks!

[computer_guy]

That is mass pwnage!!!!! btw if you replace the bulb with a led with a weaker battery source, then: 1) it's going to last for, oh, i dont know, 50 YEARS, 2) nice candle glow.

[echeung]

how do we set it up with an LED? (We would need a several to get the same sort of glow, right?)

[drips]

The easiest and most expensive way would be to buy an LED puck light but the good ones are pretty expensive ($40-$100+ USD). You could also redesign the lighting to use a different fixture (GU10, MR16, etc.) and slap an LED bulb in there. To save some money and have more fun you can build your own LED system. I'd recommend checking out any of Dan's great Instructables on the subject. Be aware that it can get to be a pretty complicated and awesome experience to make your own lighting, especially if you want multiple LEDs, dimming, optics, or other cool stuff. All in all, it's a worthwhile project though. Good luck!

[matbh]

fantastic!

[mbear]

You know, if you put some of these under a cantilevered bed they'd look pretty cool too.

[darkferret0]

this is so cool i made a somewhat smaller version of the regualar lamp but not as small as the metric lamp and then i sealed up the top and put a rrainbow color changing led base inside of it. It looks awesome.

[Nunavutnewsrules]

I am thinking incorporating golden rectangles some how *starts feverishly drawing*

[drips]

LOL @ "feverishly"! So true... I was heavily into ratios and other mathy stuff for a while. I was designing everything from the size of the paper, size of the finished piece, spatial relation and size of the cuts to the paper and to each other, and on and on, to be mathematically appealing or clever. knew that probably nobody would ever notice, but I took pleasure in knowing it was there. Then I went a little crazy!! So I went back to a freer design concept and just went for pretty aesthetics. I love the idea of the golden rectangle but beware my friend - those math guys and girls have a tendency to go batty!

[Nunavutnewsrules]

"Haven't you noticed we are all a little mad?" Alice in Wonderland very creepy but so true lol

[e_lectro]

I was looking up the Strathmore 500 Bristol 3-ply paper and saw DickBlick carries two versions, Vellum and Plate. Which version do you use for your lamps?

[drips]

You may already know this, but for the benefit of any interested party here's a quick comparison of the two types: - Vellum (Cold Press) has a toothier finish and looks flatter (i.e. not glossy). - Plate (Hot Press) is smoother and can look shinier than vellum. I use the vellum because I prefer the way it scatters light and I think it looks more 'dead' (even / flat). It won't have an impact on the structure of the lamp so you should use which ever you think looks better. Also, if you are going to do anything to the paper (like draw on it) the vellum is used more for softer media like charcoal and colored pencil while the plate finish is for ink and fine pencil.

[Raila]

I adore this and am seriously thinking about doing one (or more) for my home, but I have a question. Have you tried to cut on an Angle yet? Im not sure if it would work with the dynamics. As far as coloring would be colored pencils ( paper after all) or maybe some shapes of color inside with colored tissue paper making it very light on the overall weight and connecting with a glue stick or something that has no wetness to it? Can add additional geometric dimensions with that. Also, could it be possible to do a spiral setup?? Actually rotating around? boy questioned you out didnt I? :D

[drips]

Starting with the basics of a paper box you have a ridiculous amount of techniques you can use. I sometimes have to stop exploring the many ways one can cut and fold the paper so I can actually get stuff done! That being said, angles can be done in many ways and I have created the illusion of the paper rotating, although it didn't really. I'm sure it can be done, and you can figure it out! :-) Inside additions are another technique that can go on and on with possibilities. You might try a spray-on contact adhesive which is pretty dry when applied in moderation. Mostly I'd just say that if this kind of stuff is up your alley, nothing beats sitting around with a stack of paper and some scissors and knives and experimenting. Then you can figure out how to make a colorful, twisting, angular lamp and post the pics! There are also lots of good ideas in the other comments. Good luck!

[Mr. Poe]

This lamp is beautiful! If I can get a hold of the supplies I think I may have found a project for tomorrow. :)

[co2h2o]

Thank you for sharing your talents and such a beautiful project. I do have one question before I get started. If I'm using the same paper you describe in your instructions and I want to add a tiny color in the form of paint, which is the best to use? Would simple watercolors work or is there a special type of paint that would stand up to the heat be best?

[drips]

I don't think that the heat will be an issue with this set-up. I'd be more concerned with buckling or warping the paper. The paper I used can get pretty out of shape with a wet paint. I think you want a thicker/drier paint or possibly a paint with a solvent so it will evaporate quickly. I have used a marker with no problem but when my friend painted on one it got wavy and dried very stiff. Sorry but I don't have much experience coloring the paper yet. Also, UV light may fade the color - both from the lamp (not much UV I think) or from the sun if the lamp is in it. Please report back if you find a suitable coloring agent and post pics. Good luck!

[co2h2o]

Boy are you fast! I think I'll avoid water colors. I should've realized the word 'water' itself wasn't the best combo with paper. Maybe a dry brush type painting using water colors (minimal water and fast drying) or even something sprayed, like a can or an airbrush. I saw some other lamps similar to yours (though not as nice looking!) with color and I can't figure out what was used. It almost looks as if the color is printed right on the paper. With the right equipment maybe it is. Or maybe they're appliques of some sort. The options with this are truly endless. If I only had the time... oh and the talent! Thanks for the inspiration.

[hobbssamuelj]

Really fun project!!! After doing it in paper, i'm going to try it in hammered aluminum. we'll see how that goes. a dremel cutting wheel should do the trick...