Paper Wall Lamp

I've been knocking this idea around in my head to make these wall-mountable light boxes, but I guess I needed a boring summer to convince to me do it. With these materials, it actually makes two sets of three or you could make a long six light set. I wanted to make a lamp with a soft glow as well as a wall fixture that is attractive even when the light is off. This is a very easy design with simple, everyday materials. I used what I had laying around the house but this could definitely be made with more sturdy materials.

Step 1: Materials

1. Paper ( I used sketchbook paper because it was sturdy and it let enough light through. Rice paper or maybe natural fiber paper would also look good here.)
-sketchbook paper (18 x 12) 10 sheets
-one piece of black core foamboard (30 x 20)

2. Lights (I had two sets of white led rope lights about 9 or 10 ft. long left over from a xmas sale. As far as lights go here, you can use what you want but they need to have low watts because of the obvious fire hazard.)
- two sets of led rope lights

3. Tools
-Box cutter
-stapler
-scissors
-glue (Elmer's is fine)
-mounting screws and wire
-pencil
-measuring tape
-hot glue gun or household cement (for gluing the foamboard)
-plastic zip ties

Comments

[dreadyjazz]

Love it!

[sushantech]

please add video to know better

[diygirl]

Very cool.

[kknudson93]

Totally atractive. Something I'd show or make my friends ;) Thanks!
 

[Gabey_Chow]

that looks absolutely beautiful mann... great job!!

[RonBot]

I've seen luminaries in old magazines made from varnished paper bags. If you coat paper with clear Varithane- they have water based now- will the paper be sturdier? Safe? What about using canvas,muslin, or cotton duck instead of paper?

[Nitocris]

Yes, I must make this immediately..it's adorable and doesn't seem overly bright, so it's great for an accent piece. Also, plus side.. I have most of the materials already, heh! Great work on this. :D

[meme_mhr]

Love the idea

[hrdhead27]

i love it but i will have to try to make the light boxes a little less complicated. i might also use a single led light, i'm not sure how exactly, instead of all the tubing from the rope lights. i love foam core and this is a brilliant use for it.

[tooabstract788]

This is really awesome. It would look really great if took some wood and made a frame for for the paper, that way it had a japanese style to it. Kind of like a shoiji lamp you know? When I get around to making this, I'll make it with frames anf show you a pic of it. Great idea.

[jillg]

and you could use Japanese print or characters on t3h paper

[firegardeneve]

this is great!

[Mr. Rig It]

Would love to see you add this to my new group.
Hope to see you there.
Home Repair, Refurbishment, and New Projects

[douro20]

I have an idea; you could lacquer some stiff paper and make one which can take regular incandescent lights (15W or smaller).

[hay_jumper]

What will you do when Donald Judd's lawyers come a-callin?

[whiteoakart]

This is way to complicated for Donald Judd. Most significantly, it has a function as a lamp. This is the conceptual antithesis of Donald Judd, even if it does superficially look like some of his sculptures.

[hay_jumper]

Whoops! I forgot to add the following tags: Take it easy there, fella.

[buZztiaan]

Won't this get very very very hot?

[Laminar]

Naedhi uses LED rope lights, so no. Low wattage compact fluorescents would work nicely too.

[crapflinger]

if you were to use wood instead of foam core you could make this into a bookshelf/lamp conglomoration

[Ward_Nox]

thats a good idea

[Kiteman]

This is a very stylish lamp, quite 80s retro (so it won't go in my house!). If you had a ready supply of lights to go inside you could almost go into production!

One small niggle: the rope light is hanging out of the bottom - wouldn't end-pieces to the foamboard box make it much tidier?

One large niggle: step two is very confusing. I worked it out from the photos, but the text wasn't much help. That step need a re-write, especially when you consider how many members have English as a second language.

[naedhi]

Thanks for the comments! I completely edited step two and added some more drawings to clarify. The light hanging out the bottom is because a zip tie snapped and it fell out through the bottom. The other one is fine, but I thought that this picture looked better. I'm fixing it as soon as I can find another zip tie ;-P