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!