Literary Lamp Shade

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Normally I would think tearing apart a book, especially a Harry Potter book, would be blasphemy!

However, just before Thanksgiving we had a flood at our home which damaged a few books. Fortunately it was just 3, and not the whole library! The benefit is that I now have 3 books to craft with.

I had seen several crafts using old books. And while on a mad dash through Ikea about a week ago, I spotted the very thing I needed to complete a project I had wanted to do for about a year.

I have a lamp without a shade. I love the lamp, but I didn’t really have a place for it so I ignored it and stored it. So, while on the mad dash through Ikea I grabbed a lamp shade!

To do this project you will need a few supplies:

An old book (I recommend a favorite title)

Mod Podge

Lamp Shade

Paint brushes

This project will take you less than an hour depending on the size of the shade.

To begin rip out enough pages from the book to cover the entire lamp shade.

Next, apply Mod Podge to the surface of the lamp shade where you want to apply the first book page. Smooth the page onto the shade. It is important to note that the paper may not adhere smoothly. You may be able to smooth it out with your brush or fingers. However, this is a shabby chic look. It is okay to have ridges and wrinkles! It adds character and texture to the project.

Once the first page is smoothed onto the shade apply a layer of Mod Podge over the entire sheet. You will need to trim the pages at the top and bottom of the shade, and then mold the paper over the rim (top and bottom) to finish the edge.

Repeat the process of adhering the pages to the shade until you achieve the effect  you desire.

You can use any material to cover the lamp shade. Tissue paper, book pages, even fabric will work fabulously! Ikea has several sizes and I am already planning several versions for my children’s rooms!

I hope this inspires you to personalize you lighting fixtures.