Twine Ball Lamp Shades

by dbeylina

21K63317

Intro: Twine Ball Lamp Shades

Spring has sprung! Revamp your outdoor decor with these DIY twine lamp shades. Transforms your traditional christmas lights into ambient spring and summer lights.

STEP 1: Gather Your Materials

Cotton twine

Mod Podge

balloons

plastic wrap

spray paint (I used Krylon Metallic Gold)

paint brush or foam brush

christmas lights

STEP 2: Wrap, Wind, Wait.

Next, you will inflate the balloons to your desired size.

Wrap each balloon in plastic wrap.

Wind the twine around each balloon and over the plastic wrap. (Don't worry about cleaning up the ends, you can trim them after drying.)

Use a paint brush or foam brush to paint the Mod Podge over the twine. Be generous! The more Mod Podge, the stiffer the shades with dry.

Now you must wait for the Mod Podge to dry. I suggest waiting overnight to achieve the best results.

STEP 3: Pop and Paint!

After your Mod Podge dries, you will pop each ballon and pull out the balloon and plastic wrap from the interior.

I suggest first pushing into the balloon at the openings to pull the plastic wrap away from the twine. The Mod Podge might dry and adhere to the plastic wrap.

Afterwards, spray the twine shades with your selected spray paint.

STEP 4: Almost Done!

Once your lamp shades are done drying, you can string them onto the christmas lights.

Find the larger gaps in the twine and stuff several light bulbs into each lamp shade. Continue this process, stringing the lamp shades along the lights.

You can choose how to use them. Lined in a row, placed in a bowl, or strung across a balcony.

STEP 5: ​Now That Your Christmas Lights Can Be Used All Year Round, Enjoy!

15 Comments

Rosanna Mullet 10 years ago

I totally want to make these! they are so pretty!

mommywoman 9 years ago

If you use LED lights and the wires are in good condition you shouldn't have to worry about fire hazards. LED lights stay cool so not likely to start a fire. Regular Christmas lights like the ones being phased out get very hot. I think those minis call for C7 and C9 bulbs. I'd definitely stay away from those inside on these balls. You figure the hotter burning C7, C9 even though rated for indoor and outdoor should be ok outside cause everyone uses those on bushes and the heat doesn't ever seem to be an issue.

SweetSecrets 10 years ago

OooooOOOoooo I like these. I might just try them out. Great design, good idea!

wabbit75 10 years ago

WoW, I can't wait to make these for our Bedroom!

kosteej 10 years ago

Would there be any worry of the twine catching on fire from the lights?

dbeylina 10 years ago

I haven't had any trouble with these shades for a full year. I would recommend only using these outdoors where the air is cooler, and over-heating is less likely. Your largest safety concern is replacing any string of lights with worn or broken cords or loose bulb connections.

ekiessling 10 years ago

awesome!!! I so am going to make them

sunshiine 10 years ago

I love your design. Thanks so much for sharing your hard work and do have a safe and happy spring!

sunshiine

emilyvanleemput 10 years ago

They look so pretty! How tricky is it to remove the balloons?

dbeylina 10 years ago

Thanks! not that tricky at all. Definitely let them dry completely and you can use scissors to try to cut away any plastic wrap that my solidify from the Mod Podge.

tpatten-scheinost 10 years ago

this is a great tutorial and a very clever design. thank you.