How to Make a Deer Antler Lamp

Make a traffic-stopping lamp with antlers and a soldering gun

If the thought of making a lamp out of deer antlers sounds cruel, it's not. Deer and moose shed their antlers annually, like humans shed hair and skin. If you find antlers that have been shed in the wild--or happen upon a set or two at a garage sale--grab them and tackle this fairly easy project. You'll need a good eye for arranging the antlers and a solder gun to connect everything. Before you know it, you'll be lighting up a corner of a room with your handmade antler art.

Things You'll Need

• Antlers
• Standard lamp socket kit
• Drill and 3/8-inch drill bit
• Lacquer or polyurethane finish
• Rubber bands, bungee cord or wire
• Soldering gun and solder
• Murphy Oil Soap
• Organic lampshade

Instructions

1. Clean out the interior linings of the antlers with a product like Murphy Oil Soap to remove dirt, grime and organic matter. Coat the exterior surface of the antlers with lacquer or polyurethane. Add as many coats of sealant as you wish. Let each coat dry thoroughly between applications.

2. Stack the antlers in various configurations to create a pleasing arrangement. Place one large inverted antler near the top of the stack to hold the light socket in place. Drill a hole into the other side of the antler to serve as a portal for the lamp cord. Position another antler at a slightly taller angle to hold the lampshade.

3. Use rubber bands, bungee cords or wire to hold the stack in place as you rearrange the antlers. Once you're satisfied with the look of the lamp base, install the socket at the top of the lamp and feed the cord through the antler via the exit hole, pulling it gently until all of the cord is revealed.

4. Use a soldering gun and solder to attach individual antlers to the stack, making sure the antlers holding the socket and shade are at the center of the stack. Once you have connected the antler cluster, cut away the rubber bands or remove the cords or wire.

5. Screw a light bulb into the socket. Position the lampshade on top of the bulb and turn on the lamp.

Tips & Warnings

• Always test the light kit before you install it to avoid unwelcome surprises when the project is complete.

• Adhere to the maximum wattage limit posted on the lamp socket. Wrap it to avoid damaging it or causing a fire.