How to Recycle Antique Glass Lamp Shades
Antique glass lampshades are often highly decorative and may have a multi-colored stained glass or a hobnail milk glass design. You can recycle an antique glass lampshade that's still in good condition by attaching it to a lamp base using a lamp harp or a metal craft ring, depending on the style of the lampshade. If the antique lampshade is slightly damaged, you can still use it to craft decorative items for your home. With a little creativity, you can recycle cracked or imperfect antique glass lampshades into art pieces for your home or garden. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Clear waterproof construction adhesive/jeweler's glue
- Rotary drill
- 1/8-inch diameter diamond drill bit
- Measuring tape
- Metal craft ring
- Fishing line
- Scissors
- Center-drilled glass beads
- Top-drilled crystals
Instructions
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1
Repair any cracks in the lampshade with clear waterproof construction adhesive or jeweler's glue. If you plan to hang the lampshade outside, make sure to use waterproof adhesive. Spread the adhesive on the underside of the lampshade along the cracked glass. Allow the adhesive to dry.
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2
Drill a 1/8-inch hole in the top center of a solid surface antique glass lampshade using a high-speed rotary drill and a diamond drill bit. Most Tiffany-style shades already have holes in the top for attachment or hanging purposes. Omit this step if your lampshade already has an opening in the top center.
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3
Measure the interior circumference of the lampshade if the top opening is larger than 1 inch. Hobnail lampshades in particular often have a wide opening at the top. Measure the widest section of the interior circumference of the shade. This is where the craft ring will rest as you hang the lampshade.
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4
Purchase a metal craft ring to fit the circumference of the lampshade. If you drilled a small opening or if the lampshade already had a small opening at the top, you can use any size craft ring that will fit inside the dome of the lampshade.
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5
Cut a 20-inch section of fishing line. Tie one end of the line to opposite sides of the craft ring using triple overhand knots. Cover the knots with jeweler's glue or clear waterproof adhesive. The fishing line will form a large loop by which you can hang the craft ring inside the lampshade.
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6
Cut five 30-inch lengths of fishing line. Thread a top-drilled crystal to the center of each line. Double each of the lines. Thread colorful glass beads over each doubled line to the top of the crystal. Leave 4 inches of doubled line open at the ends. Tie each of the beaded lines around the craft ring.
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7
Fit the looped fishing line from Step 5 through the top hole on the antique lampshade. The loop is the hanger for the indoor or outdoor art piece. The beaded lines should hang beneath the lampshade. Hang the loop over a hook or nail.
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Tips & Warnings
You can hang any type of small decorative items that you like from the antique lampshade wind chime/mobile.
