Tuesday, September 2, 2014

How To Make Lamps from Candlesticks

As soon as I spotted these brass parrot candlesticks at a second hand store I knew that I wanted to make lamps with them.

parrot lamps with blu and green shade thumb

Let me show you how I did it. I started with these brass candlesticks. In the photo below, I have already polished the one on the right.brass parrot candlesticks somparison

I purchased a bottle lamp kit.

lamp kit 1

I did not use the wire in that kit because it is very heavy and white. Instead, I used a clear wire that I took off a thrifted lamp.

lamp stopper in candlestick

There were three rubber stoppers in the kit but unfortunately none of them was a perfect fit. This one was the closest fit and I found some foam in my supplies to add as filler.

foam filler for lamp

After doing a dry fit, I cut the foam and glued it around the rubber stopper and glued it in the candlestick.

assembly of lamp

I followed the directions to assemble the lamp.

socket base on

I added the socket and wired it according to the directions.

wires added to socket

I tried them out in this bedroom first.

parrot lamps in bedroom 1

Let’s take a closer look.

close up parrot lamp

I liked them there but decided to move them to the guest room.

lamps in guest room

The brightly colored shade helps a lot.

parrot lamps with blu and green shade

Not bad for a pair of crusty old candlesticks.

a signature

I’m linking to Wow Us Wednesday at Savvy Southern Style and to Grace At Home at Imparting Grace.

9 comments:

Shenita @ Embellishments by SLR said...

Pat, your lamps look great! This was such a great idea!

Stacey said...

They are wonderful! I really like unique lamps and now you have some that are pretty and come with a self made story. Way to go!

Vel Criste said...

aaaaaaahh!!! Absolutely looks fantastic Pat! Like it was meant to be a lamp! LOVE IT!

The Quintessential Magpie said...

What a great idea! I love your lamps!

xo

Sheila:-)

An Oasis in the Desert said...

That is such a clever idea, and they look fantastic!

The Quintessential Magpie said...

Wow! I am so impressed. That lamp is the cutest thing ever, and I love the shades! You did a great job. This gives me hope that I might do the same if I find the lamp bodies I need. Thanks for sharing. I love them!

xo

Sheila :-)

Decor To Adore said...

Wow! First off the lamps look terrific! The lampshade truly does make it. But boy howdy did you make that brass shine! Good work!

I also wanted to thank you for your kind comments and wonderful friendship. You are a treasure. Have a blessed week!

Sonya@Beyond the Screen Door said...

So clever! I love the idea of repurposing things like candlesticks into lamps but I have never done it! Love this transformation especially the adorable shade.

Pinky at Designs by Pinky said...

Not bad? They are beautiful! What a great idea.