DIY String Lamp

My friends have been calling me out for being a blog slacker recently so here goes me trying to redeem myself...

I was raised in a house with LOTs of windows (basically the whole back is glass) so in looking for apartments natural light is on my list of must-haves.  I found a great place with big windows but only later realized it had essentially no lighting once the sun goes down. A desk lamp was just not going to cut it! I needed to find a way to get maximum light at a not so maximum price and of course it needed to be cute :) After much research I decided to try making a string lampshade (the pre-made price tags were a bit much - this large one is $899). 

I made a quick trip to Home Depot for some twine and Target for a yoga ball and Elmer's glue. I picked up a synthetic based twine as it had a nice smooth and slightly shiny finish that I thought would look nice reflecting a little light but later found out the hard way that it did not absorb the glue as well as say cotton string. 

I dunked the twine in a half and half combo of white Elmer's school glue and water and let it soak. 

I ended up picking a 20" yoga ball which fit the space nicely. I could have maybe gone a few inches bigger but any smaller would have just looked sad. I pumped it up, wrapped it in saran wrap and then marked out a few circles for the bottom hole (I chose a 4-5 inch hole to install and change bulbs and such). 

Then it was time to get messy! I draped the counter in a canvas drop cloth, put on a paint tee and some Netflix and then started wrapping the ball in the glue/water soaked twine changing directions to cover evenly. Fair warning that the twine can get a bit slippery and fall off if not wrapped intentionally. Also, a larger ball is harder than a smaller one so keep that in mind. 

I ended up pouring the remaining liquid over the ball because I was feeling nervous that the twine hadn't soaked up enough to make it firm up. I let it rest and dry for 2 days before deflating the yoga ball and pulling it out through the bottom hole.

Next it was time to string it up! I used this IKEA Sekond lamp cord , which comes with 2 hooks to help hang from the ceiling, and a super bright LED bulb also from IKEA.

 

Here's the final product! I am really excited with how it turned out and provides maximum light for maximum productivity!

Thanks for reading! 

A Year in Grand Rapids, Michigan (A Travel Guide to Grand Rapids, Western Michigan, and the UP )

Hello! Today's post is a bit different but I hope you enjoy it all the same!

This year what I have lacked in DIY projects I have more than made up in experiences. As I have completed my first year of physician residency in Grand Rapids, Michigan I have taken every opportunity to explore the city and the rest of the state. I only have a year here and I didn't want to have regrets about not taking advantage of everything this awesome state has to offer. Does that mean sleeping less sometimes? Yes, but more often than not I just take advantage of the hours and days I am not working (instead of parking on the couch with Netflix). I have hiked, kayaked, swam and ran.

I have gone to museums, festivals, beaches and flea and farmers markets.
As a resource for myself as well as other incoming resident physicians and those who just want to see what western Michigan is all about I made a Google Map that includes hundreds of restaurants, bars, beaches, festivals, parks, and more. I hope that this inspires you to truly take advantage of what GR and MI have to offer. Each pin comes with a picture(s) and information below.

(Use the icon in the top left corner to see a listing of pins by type and name within this page or just click on the pin itself to see information; zoom in and out to see all of the pins for a given area - you will have to do this for GR as there is such a high pin density. To view the map larger in a new window click on the icon in the far right upper corner)

Heres another way of looking:
https://drive.google.com/open?id=1hCricrsDllaeKcM06RMsHvXgPYo&usp=sharing

Here are some select photos from my Michigan adventures to inspire you:

Kruse Park, Muskegon

Kruse Park, Muskegon (Lake Michigan)

Kayaking in Ann Arbor on the Huron River

Fireworks on the 4th in downtown GR

(Free) Summer Yoga in Wilcox Park, GR

A Gociety hike at Merrell Trails sponsored by Founders Brewing, GR

Hiking Meetup (Meetup.com) at PJ Hoffmaster State Park and Beach

Hiking to Oval Beach, Saugatuck (Lake Michigan)

Silver Lake Sand Dunes, MI (Dune Buggy or go in an Off Road Vehicle if you're brave)

Weekend Meetup hike of the Manistee River Trail and North Country Trail with fabulous fall colors

Reeds lake in the fall, East GR

Millenium Park, just outside of downtown GR

Labor Day weekend "Up North" in Mesick, MI

Disco Night at Pyramid Scheme

The music of Queen with the GR Symphony Picnic Pops at Cannonsburg Ski Area

HP in Concert with the GR Symphony

Picking blueberries at DeGrandchamps in Grand Haven, MI

Enjoying a Pasty at the wonderful Fulton Street Farmers Market, GR

Hiking Pictured Rocks National Park in the Upper Peninsula 

Enjoying having the whole beach to ourselves at Pictured Rocks National Park for a mid-hike dip in Lake Superior

The "Pictured Rocks" themselves

Savoring the delicious French Food of Bar Divani during Restaurant Week GR

Feeling Fancy at the Heritage Restaurant (GRCC's Culinary Institute restaurant)

A flight for Dad at Brewery Vivant and another stamp in the Passport

I'm officially a Beer City Brewsader (8 stamps in your passport earns you a free T-shirt)

Cherry Republic's Cherry Sorbet in the national cherry mecca of Traverse City, MI

Enjoying a beer and a hot dog at the GR WhiteCaps game with the ClubMed Resident Group

Taking in a Wolverine Game in Ann Arbor, MI

Cheering on the GR Griffins with the ClubMed Resident Group

Kicking off the holiday season with the tree lighting and ice rink at Rosa Parks Circle in Downtown GR

Shopping the Dutch Christmas Market "Kerstmarkt" in Holland, MI

Wintertime at the Meijer Gardens in GR

Tubing with ClubMed at Cannonsburg Ski Area, GR

Valent Ice Festival and ice skating at Rosa Parks Circle, Downtown GR

Valent Ice Festival, Downtown GR

Ice breaking up on Lake Michigan in Charlevoix, MI

Sunset over Torch Lake, MI

Spring has arrived at Reeds Lake in East GR

Reading in the hammock at Reeds Lake, East GR

It's Tulip Time in Holland, Michigan with millions of tulips around the City

Tulip Time in Holland, Michigan 

Tulip Time at Windmill Island in Holland, Michigan

Like my hairy legs and Fox sporin? Enjoying the kilts and Highland Games at the Highlands Festival in Alma, MI

That's all for now! It's sad to think that I will be moving in only 4 weeks but I am sure to find new adventures in Minneapolis! 

Thanks for reading and let me know if you have any questions or feedback! Subscribe up top for notifications of future posts!