How to Turn Mardi Gras Beads Into a Lampshade

Mardi Gras is an absolutely amazing holiday, but it could never happen without a veritable landmass of cheap plastic. Mardi Gras beads come in a variety of colors and shades—and in New Orleans, it's nearly impossible to run out of them. Luckily, they can be saved, and repurposed into wide variety of other uses, including a lampshade.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. Cover a baking tray with foil.

2. Lay out your Mardi Gras beads in the desired pattern. If you're fitting your Mardi Gras lampshade over a standard lamp, you may want to leave a hole in the center of your design.

3. Bake your beads at 350 degrees F for anywhere from 10 to 15 minutes. Some beads melt quicker than others, so you may need to then rotate the tray. Remove the tray from the oven.

4. While the plastic is still warm, shape it as you desire. Set it aside to cool.

5. After the beads have cooled, remove the foil.

6. Secure the new shade in place. You now have a fully functional "Mardi Light."

Tips & Warnings

• This same process can be adapted for night lights, chandeliers or most anything.
• You can also use an old lampshade as a template, if you wish.