Cardboard Floral Lampshade

by Muhaiminah Faiz

Lamp shades are soooo much fun to make. The light effect is always a surprise, which is very exciting :) This instructable will show you how to make a cardboard lampshade with floral pattern sooo easily. It won't take more than half an hour. 
So lets start!

Step 1: Materials needed

To make this lampshade you'll need:

1) White cardboard,
2) Scissor and anti cutter,
3) Pencil,
4) Ruler (to measure),
5) Super glue and white glue,
6) Lighting system (bulb holder, plug, wire, light bulb),
7) Golden glitter paint and paint brush (if you want to paint the flowers).

Step 2: Getting started

First, decide the size (length and width) of the lampshade.
The lampshade I made is arch shaped, 15 inches tall and 7 inches wide. I had to cut out a cardboard piece of 15 X 20 inches and bend 12 inches into an arch shape. Make sure to keep an inch extra while cutting the width because you'll have to glue and join the sides.

Step 3: Designing, cutting and joining

Now it's time to design. Take a pencil and draw some floral patterns on the cardboard piece (on the 12 inch part).
When you're done drawing the flowers, take an anti cutter and carefully cut the sides of the flowers. Don't cut out the flowers, only cut the sides, keeping them joined in the middle.
You can add more details if you want to. I added some dots by popping the cardboard.
Now, join the sides using super glue as shown in the picture.

Step 4: Base, Top and Paint

After gluing the sides of the shade you have to make the base and the top.
Cut out 3 arch shaped pieces (1 for the top and 2 for the base) out of cardboard and make sure to measure the size before cutting. Glue 2 arch shaped cardboard pieces together and glue the other one on top of the shade. (2 arch shaped pieces that are glued together is the base).
Now, cut out a long strip of cardboard and glue it around the base (see picture).
You can design the top as well.
I also painted the flowers with golden glitter paint.

Step 5: Light up!

You'll need a small piece of cardboard, plug, wire, bulb holder and a bulb. Don't use light bulbs more than 40 watt and it's better to use CFL light bulb.

Simply connect one side of the wire with the bulb holder and the other side with the plug. 
Cut 4 equal pieces out of cardboard and cut them as shown in the picture, I've also numbered them. Now, place 1 at the bottom then glue 2 and 3 on top of it. Now take the wire (along with the plug) through 4 and glue it on 3. There you have the light ready. 
Now attach the lighting system with the base of the lampshade and place the shade over it.

Plug in, switch on and light up!

Enjoy!