A ByProduct Lamp-shade

or how to make an (almost) effortless unique lint lamp-shade.

as you all have probably noticed while you dry your clothes in a drier there is a fair amount of lint (which is actually short fibered felt that is created by fibers from you clothes mixed with water a soup leftovers from the washing machine) accumulates in a special compartment. in industrial driers this interesting looking felt has a fairly large container. I came up with an idea how to put this useless by product into use !

Step 1: Ingredients

this project is as much about the process as its about the final result !
you will need :
a metal sieve sheet (usually used for windows) or a ordinary kitchen sieve.
water based glue
a spray container
an second hand lamp and lamp- shade or a lamp-shade frame from a hobby shop.

and the most important ingredient - a very kind local laundromat that will allow you to use their industrial drying machine.

Step 2: Getting Started

find the container that collects the driers lint.
cut you metal sieve sheet into a piece that could fit into your container.
fit it in and leave it there for a couple of days.....
if you are using a kitchen sieve just lay it down in the container
(you need to let the lint accumulate till you have a thin uneven layer of lint)

Step 3: Not a Must

after you get a thin uneven layer of lint you can use glue to make sure it stays on the sieve.
take a water based glue and dilute it with water inside a spray container ( mine used to be a window cleaning solution spray container).
you can spray you linted sieve and return it back to accumulate some more.....
(once is enough cause the lint attaches to the glued pieces and holds the whole thing together)

Step 4: Well Done !

you may take our you sieve according to the amount of lint you wish to have on it. the amount of lint will determine the way light will be seen through it and also obviously the overall looks of your soon to be finished lamp-shade. just take it out, trim the edges and,
if you are using a kitchen sieve all you need to do is place the sieve on your lamp
if you are using a sheet you can shape it as you wish or just roll it over an existing lamp-shade frame

and there you have it !

Step 5: Variation

this is meant to be an (almost) effortless process. however if you find it enjoyable, if your local laundromat owner makes good conversation or if you are just feeling creative you can go on and play with your shapes.
the sieve sheet bends really easy - you can shape it with your hands or mold it with any object and create new patterns and exciting shapes.

enjoy !