For those of us in the Northern Hemisphere, darker nights are setting in earlier and earlier. Since we haven’t figured out a way to fast-forward to summer—and really, we’d never want to skip the holidays anyway—we might as well embrace it and make the most of the extra hours indoors. Just think of all you could accomplish: getting organized, experimenting with a new decor trend, or testing your DIY skills with a cool creative project.
This cheerful, easy-to-make pendant lamp is the perfect cure for the dark-at-5pm blues. With just a few skeins of embroidery floss and a couple of upcycled lampshade frames, you can brighten up the corner of a room—not to mention your mood—in no time flat.
Read on to get started.
At a glance:
Time: 3-4 hours
Difficulty: Intermediate
You will need:
- 2 wire lampshade frames of equal base diameter
- Washi tape
- Embroidery floss in the colors of your choice
- Embroidery floss bobbin
- Scissors
- Pendant lamp cord kit and bulb
Step 1: Connect lampshade frame bases

Line up the bases of two lampshade frames of equal base diameter and use washi tape to attach them in three to four places, creating a cage.
Step 2: Prep your embroidery floss

Wrap a skein of embroidery floss around a bobbin. (This will make wrapping the floss around the lampshade cage much easier.)
Tie the end of the floss in a double knot at the top of the upper lampshade frame. Bring the bobbin of floss down the front of the lampshade cage, then under the connected bases, and up through the inside of the cage.
Step 3: Wrap the upper lampshade frame


Guide the bobbin around the top of the lampshade cage and repeat the loop. Continue wrapping tightly, making your way around the cage, and using your fingers to push the floss together as you go. You’ll want the floss strands to be close together and evenly spaced.
When you’re ready to change colors (or your floss runs out), simply tie a new skein onto the previous skein with a double knot, making sure the knot falls on the inside of the lamp cage.
Step 4: Wrap the lower lampshade frame

When the top half of the cage is completely wrapped, tie a new skein onto the connected frame bases.


Use your bobbin to wrap the new skein around the lower frame, guiding the floss around the bottom of the cage, up into the middle, and between two pieces of floss on the upper frame. Continue wrapping, bringing the floss through the next two pieces of floss on the upper frame each time.

Once you’ve made your way completely around the bottom frame, simply double knot the floss around the bottom of the cage, and cut off any excess.
Step 5: Add a lightbulb and display

When the lampshade cage is completely wrapped, you’re ready to add a lightbulb and display. If the upper lampshade is designed for use with a pendant fixture, just slide the cord through the fixture and hang. If you’re using a different shade style, use zip ties to secure the cord to the frame so that the bulb hangs in the center of the lamp, at its widest point.

Photographs courtesy of Erica Chan Coffman.
33 comments
Sujata from TreasuredMemoryLane said 3 years ago
What a great project! I like the fact that can be made in your color theme! Thank you for sharing!
Megan from MegansMenagerie said 3 years ago
Love!!!
DeUno from DeUno said 3 years ago
Great idea! Very wel presented project! Thank you for sharing!
Flair Nouri from FlairPaintings said 3 years ago
Such a great idea. Thank you for sharing :)
Mary Robertson from MaggiesInn said 3 years ago
What a wonderful creative idea to add a spark of colour and light to a room.
Claire Showalter from sQuircle said 3 years ago
How cool! It would be awesome to have a small grouping of these made up of different shapes and sizes - go wild with whatever you might find thrifting!
Laura from PolarPenPal said 3 years ago
This is so beautiful and looks fun to make! Thanks for sharing :)
Georgia from JewelMeShop said 3 years ago
I love the colors! Thanks for sharing.
Greta Dzy from DzyDzydesign said 3 years ago
That's super cool, I need to try this!
Rhonda Stubbs from RhondaCorner said 3 years ago
What a great idea! Thank you for sharing.
Renee from RandMhandmade said 3 years ago
Thank you for sharing! Beautiful!
foofoogal54 from GracefulVtgClothing said 3 years ago
Oh wow! String Art making a comeback. What a fab project.
Priscilla from Gardenmis said 3 years ago
Fabulous craft night project idea! Thanks for sharing :)
PS1002 from HealthyHemisphere said 3 years ago
So fun! Really great instructions, too!
TropicalGarden from TropicalGarden said 3 years ago
Cool idea! Thanks for sharing!
Anna from FairyToysWorld said 3 years ago
Thanks for sharing! Love this idea )
Pete from post50modern said 3 years ago
Very Nice! You should include a photo of it lit up or include instuction on how to electrify it. Would love to see how it plays with the light....
allwood1 from AllWoodToo said 3 years ago
Awesome idea!
HobNobbing said 3 years ago
This is a direct rip off from the artist Ana Kras - It's a shame that a website that suggests it supports artist's would blatantly recreate and de-value someone's work. At the very least, credit her for the "inspiration" - Such a shame, HonestlyWTF and Etsy. http://www.atelierdore.com/photos/ana/
R.M Garrett from ArtisticAcrylics said 3 years ago
At first when I saw this, I thought "impossible!" But as I read on, I was surprised to see how easy it is. The colors are beautiful, and it looks like it's professionally done! Somehow I don't think mine would turn out quite so good, but if I were to try this, it seems like a fun project that's also relaxing! Thanks for sharing, and have a blessed day.
Olga Kaplina from KnitteditemsbyOlga said 3 years ago
Beautiful. Thank you for sharing.
Robin from RobinCopper said 3 years ago
Darling pendant lamp. What a great idea, and so simple. It's another "why didn't I think of that" moment. It's always the simplest ideas that turn into things we use daily. Bravo! Robin
Mar from PlanetMarsVintage said 3 years ago
Great idea, thanks for sharing! x
Kashuen Collectibles from Kashuen said 3 years ago
Such a unique project. I would love to try it. Thanks!
Geeta from shopLUCA said 3 years ago
See the true and original designer of this lampshade here: http://www.anakras.com/
StevesFabrication from StevesFabrication said 3 years ago
Pretty neat concept! Would also like to see a picture of it lit up!
J McWhirter from pappareale said 3 years ago
I agree you should at least credit Ana Kras. For those interested, this is a diy of her signature Bom Bom lamp that she has been making for years.
Rachel Bingaman from BingArt said 3 years ago
This looks like a fun project :)
Wirat J. from SkylaBoutique said 3 years ago
So creative! Love this DIY lamp :)
Vanessa Silva from TellHerStore said 3 years ago
Great idea. Thank you for sharing.
Bozhena Fuchs from FuchsArtStudio said 3 years ago
It looks REALLY good!!!
Maria from StyleGraphicDesign said 3 years ago
Wow so simple and unique! Lovely idea:))
Virginia from lesthings said 3 years ago
Looove it!!!Such a stylish project...thank you for sharing!:)