Kerry Hammond is here today to show us how to make a lamp out of books.
This craft is not only fun to make, but it’s fun to plan. As you can see, you need 8-9 books to make your lamp, depending on their thickness. So half the fun is searching for just the right titles and authors to use. You can make a lamp from books by the same author, or you can mix it up and use different authors, as I did.
Materials
Drill
Lamp Kit (purchase online)
Hollow Iron Rod (purchase at a lighting store, or buy an old lamp at a thrift shop and repurpose the piece)
Exacto Knife
Books
Step One: Drill Holes
This is the hardest part, especially if you’re not a fan of power tools. Unfortunately, there’s no way around it, you want a circular hole drilled in each book the size if your iron rod. So clamp each book down, one at a time, and drill a hole through the center.
Step Two: Cut Out Cord Track
Your cord will exit the bottom of the rod, at the bottom book, and needs a track to allow it to escape through the book pages. Using your Exacto knife, cut out a track that starts at your drilled hole and exits the side of the book. It doesn’t need to be large, just enough space for your cord to fit. It won’t show, so don’t be upset if it’s not perfect.
Step 3: Thread Cord
Open your lamp kit and remove the cord. Lamp kits are very inexpensive online, I purchased mine here. Thread your cord through the iron bar, allowing it to stick up slightly at the top.
Step 4: Insert Iron Rod
With the cord in the rod, slide each book onto the rod (bottom one first) allowing the cord to exit through the track in your bottom book.
Step 5: Assemble Lamp
Following the instructions on the package, assemble the rest of your lamp kit, including screwing on the base and attaching the wires.
Step 6: Bulb and Shade
Put in your favorite wattage bulb, attach a lampshade that complements the books, and you’ve got yourself a bedside reading lamp.
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