Do you have a passion for collecting? Maybe you scour antique shows in search of pieces missing from your collection, or wander through flea markets in hopes of discovering some interesting item that you just can't pass up. Nearly one in three North Americans collect, a hobby which can be loosely defined as the hunting and acquiring of certain objects for their cultural or historical importance, for their monetary value and/or for their emotional draw.
But what do you do with your beloved find once you get it home? Let's face it-there is a fine line between artful display and collectible chaos. Try this bright idea: turn your memorabilia into a desk lamp.
You can use almost any item as the body of your lamp: a wooden duck decoy, a cookie tin, a door stop, a lantern, a toy, a stack of books-anything that has a bit of weight and size. For this project, I used a vintage-style tin train, just right for the bedroom of my young railway enthusiast.
Materials
• Suitable collectible
• Wood address plaque, slightly larger than your collectible
• Drill and 3/8-inch drill bit
• Craft paint
• Angled lamp rod
• Nut and washer
• Hacksaw
• Metal file
• Lamp kit
• Utility knife
• Lamp shade, similar in size to your plaque
• Felt
• Glue
Instructions
Step 1: Drill a hole through the back centre of the plaque. Drill a second hole perpendicular to the first, to allow your lamp cord to lie flat. Otherwise add feet to the base to let the cord hang.
Step 2: Trace the base of the plaque onto a piece of felt, if not using feet. Paint the plaque to suit your décor. Let dry.
Step 3: Determine the best way to secure your collectible to the plaque. Two small holes were drilled below the front and back of the train, then wire was run from one end to the other to hold the train in place. (Note: You can wait to secure the piece until the lamp is threaded, but you may want to complete the drilling now.)
Step 4: Using a hacksaw, cut the lamp rod to desired height and file rough edges. We used an angled lamp rod to avoid damaging the collectible. This way, the rod is secured to the back of the plaque, but the shade sits centred. Mount the rod through the base and secure it with the nut and washer. You'll want to countersink the nut and washer so the base sits flat. (If you're using feet, skip this last part.)
Step 5: Thread the lamp cord through the lamp rod from the bottom of the base, leaving at least five inches of cord at the top. (Note: If you're uncomfortable doing the electrical work, call a local lighting store to see if they have an in-house service as was done for this project.)
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