The Creative Imperative: diy lampshade

I found this lamp at Goodwill last week.

I knew I wanted it immediately, but it didn't have a shade at the time. And what do you do if you don't have a shade? You go to the store and buy one! No, that would be too easy. I really prefer to do things the hard way.

Here is the shade I made

I used old embroidery hoops (found at a yard sale for .10 each) and hot glued them to some wooden shims.

That part was easy. I was feeling good. It was looking good. It's all good, right? Nope... I then realized I had to find a way to get it onto the lamp. Doh!

After searching about 3 different stores, I decided to go back to Goodwill. I found a lampshade with the right kind of attachment (without the typical harp and finial) and my husband and I went to work snipping and bending the thing.

Voila! I'd like it a little lower on the lamp, but I'm pretty much over it at this point.

I love the white, but I felt like it needed a little something else. It was too stark. So I got out my dry erase marker and checked 3 times to make sure it wasn't a Sharpie. Then I wrote some of the lyrics to "Oh Holy Night". I am well aware I have terrible handwriting, but it's the thought that counts, right?

"Oh Holy Night" was played during worship at church 7 years ago the day I first accepted Christ. The song will always have such a special place in my heart; hearing it takes me right back to that day when I fell in love with Jesus. I love having this as a reminder in my home.

Here are a couple more views of the lamp and shade