Let’s Make an American Girl Doll Sized Lamp

I had an empty spool from some ribbon and thought it would make a great drum pendant lamp for our doll’s room.

I’ll show you how I made mine, but there are lots of options for finishing your lamp; this is just one!

Supplies:

• Empty spool
• Battery operated light
• Thin, flexible wire
• Chain
• Paint/paint brush
• Awl
• Glue

Start by deciding how you want to finish your lamp. I wanted to punch holes in mine for the light to shine through and I wanted to paint it.

I started by trimming one end so it would be even with the spool. I removed the other end completely..

Next, I sketched out a design. I chose concentric circles.

Then I used my little awl to punch holes along the sketched lines. You can use anything that will punch a hole – a nail, pin, etc.

Paint – 2 or 3 coats, on the outside; until you get good coverage. I only painted one coat on the inside.

Cut a piece of wire – about 10″ or so and wrap a couple of times around the base of the light

Twist the ends of the 3 pieces together and make a loop.

Run each piece under the wires at the base of the lamp; turn the piece of wire back on itself then wrap/twist the ends

Run the whole wire/light thingy through the hole in the spool. Hang the loop onto the chain then close the loop.

Your lamp is ready to hang!

Here’s a photo of what it looks like lit up at night

There are so many options for finishing this same lamp using an empty spool!

• Cover with pretty paper
• Wrap with ribbon
• Paint it metallic
• Wrap string or jute around the drum
• Paint a picture on the drum
• Add stickers or decals
• What are your ideas!!??