Our lamp projects: LEDs in bottles, books and more - from #LRCrafts - DIY Passion: if you can think it, you can make it by Rici86.
The early days of crafting with my husband began when we went living together in our tiny first apartment. Soon we began making home accessories to make the place feel more like our home.
Among the first projects, we crafted home accessories from anything we had lying around – even old books! Since we happened to have many outdated hardcover volumes destined to destruction, we used them to customize our home with shelves and sculptures.
Until one day we stumbled upon the idea of creating a bedside table lamp. It was a hit with our friends and family, leading us to craft more for them.
That got us thinking: what other everyday items could easily become cool lamps? Join us in exploring our creative DIY lamp projects: we hope you’ll find inspiration to brighten up your space!
Lamps
Click for the finished project detailed photos
Table of contents
Up to the index Book art and paper artLamps
Book lamps
As I mentioned, it all began with book lamps.
My husband carved out books to conceal all the electrical components within. He drilled holes in the hardcovers for lightbulbs and switches. To add a touch of retro charm, as the appearance of the hardcover seemed to request, he selected cute vintage-style switches and warm light.
The result: a functional lamp with a unique, literary twist.
A discreet wire emerges from the back, equipped with a plug for easy use.
To enhance the reading experience, especially during quiet nights, he incorporated a light diffuser crafted from parchment paper. This addition transforms the stark lightbulb into a soft, cloud-like glow—an affordable yet remarkably effective solution for shading bright lights.
Up to the index Lamps
A vintage project lamp for a filmmaker friend
During a thrift market adventure, we unexpectedly stumbled upon a tiny gem: a vintage Eumig P8 Phonomatic cine projector from the 1960s. I learnt that this particular model was one of the most popular creations by the Austrian brand between 1954 and 1969.
While the projector itself was no longer in working condition, its design captivated us instantly. A shared glance between my husband and me confirmed that we’ve had the same idea.
Bringing this piece home, we transformed it into a vintage-style lamp, adorning it with a lightbulb on one side.
The resulting creation became a special gift for a friend, and given the recipient is a filmmaker, it carried an extra layer of meaning.
Up to the index Lamps
Then came the first bottle lamps
Well, it’s sort of a mystery how it all unfolded. One day, a couple of aesthetically pleasing bottles were casually on hand; the next day, they transformed into charming bottle lamps.
Our journey with these creations began with just two of them – one filled with sand and the other proudly displaying its vintage wire. Soon, another bottle joined the ensemble, and then another. Before we knew it, our bottle lamp collection multiplied. Much like the story of our book lamps, the allure of these creations extended to friends and relatives, each receiving a unique creation.
True to our craft, we meticulously selected vintage wires and switches, adding the retro touch we love in this kind of creations. To complete the picture, we occasionally cast our signature parchment paper cloud, gently shading the light and giving each bottle lamp a distinct character.
Up to the index Lamps
A lamp in a root
In the summer of 2018, my husband, my father, and I set out on a journey to explore the breathtaking landscapes surrounding a series of waterfalls not far from my childhood home. During our adventure, we stumbled upon an ancient root, weathered by time, quietly nestled in a corner along the path.
Inspired by its unique shape, which formed a natural valley in the middle, we decided to take it home with us. After months of drying, we carefully polished it to become the perfect host for (you guessed it) a lightbulb.
This project holds a special place in my heart – a small artwork crafted from a piece of the land where I was born. While it’s not the only craft that brings memories of my small hometown to life, it holds a distinctive significance. Crafted from materials gathered in the woods where I spent my childhood, it serves as a tangible connection to my roots. Literally!
Read more about this projectUp to the index Book art and paper artLamps
A new kind of book lamp
A few years back, we made the leap to a larger home, soon beginning to make crafts to enrich our new nest. The need for ambient light in our living room, creating a cozy atmosphere for quiet evenings after dinner, led us to a unique solution.
On our bookshelf, a collection of hardcover books, all with striking red spines, stood as remnants from our previous book lamp projects. Seizing inspiration, my husband proposed repurposing one of them.
A black vintage wire emerges discreetly from the back, tracing a moody path along the book spine, culminating in a retro-looking bulb socket that cradles a large bulb, casting a soft and warm glow.
This specific lighting fixture has established itself as an essential element in our home, casting an inviting radiance that enhances our most quiet evenings.
Up to the index Lamps
Christmas lantern
I must admit, our penchant for illuminating our home reaches its peak during the festive season, especially at Christmas. Winter transforms our terrace into a warm cozy night space, featuring a continuous strip of light along the floor, a DIY Christmas tree adorned with an array of LED lights, and our captivating Christmas lantern.
Our discovery of this lantern at a garden shop was love at first sight. We crafted a tiny winter wonderland within, filling the base with pine branches and holly that cradle a large white candle. Suspended from the lantern’s frame are six red and gold baubles, delicately hung with transparent fishing thread.
The LED lights, accented with the customary vintage wire, connect to the wall socket: a single switch effortlessly brings to life, or dims, the entirety of our terrace lights in one click.
Up to the index Lamps
Multi-bottle lamp
I must admit, our passion for crafting bottle lamps is ongoing. Whenever the perfect bottle happens to be within reach, it sparks a new project for us.
After accumulating six whiskey bottles over the years, we decided it was time to give them a purpose. The idea struck when we realized our kitchen needed an ambient light for those cozy winter nights spent brewing hot teas before bedtime – similar to the warm glow we cherish in our living room.
To achieve this, we filled the bottles with soothing warm glass scraps for a hint of color, connecting them one to the other and introducing the familiar black vintage wire for easy plug-in. Now, our kitchen boasts its own inviting soft glow, creating a warm ambiance during our quiet evenings.
Up to the index Lamps
A custom bottle lamp with colored glass scraps
The concept of incorporating glass scraps into lamp bottles dawned on us during the creation of this bottle lamp. This particular one was intended for our uncle, who expressed a desire for a bottle lamp during a memorable New Year’s Eve, where we shared the last glass from a tasty wine bottle he had brought for the occasion.
In crafting a project tailored for the recipient, we opted for a standard modern wire, but elevated the design by wrapping a decorative rope around the neck of the bottle. Instead of a traditional lightbulb, we introduced tiny LED lights within the bottle, creating a a discreet company for nighttime.
To add a touch of charm, we incorporated colored glass scraps, likink that they cast subtle reflections of color dancing alongside the gentle glow of the LED lights. We liked them so much, we decided to add more to our own wiskey bottle lamp!
I hope you enjoyed our lamp projects, each piece holding a story, a memory, and our personal touch of creativity.
We’d love to hear from you. Which one of our projects is your favorite? And what about your own lamp projects? Feel free to drop your comments in the section below. We are always happy to read any thoughts you’d like to share and discuss creativity with you.
Happy crafting, and may your home be filled with the gentle radiance of your own unique creations!
