Rope Lampshade Decor

Lamps are made to last for many years - even decades - but what about those lampshades? It can get pretty boring looking at those same lampshades year after year, thats for sure! But why should you leave the lampshade looking the same when its so easy to change it? There are lots of fabulous designs you can create using roping, string, cord or similar items.

You dont have to be any kind of an artist to create logos, borders and other designs with roping or string. Your lampshades will look completely different when youve finished the transformation. Everyone will think you got new lampshades and only youll know the truth! One way to attach the string or rope to the lampshade is to use hot glue. It dries easily and grabs the rope in a hurry. Hot glue works much better for roping or twine than for narrow embellishments like yarn or string. For these types ordinary white glue works much better. Remove the lampshade, nestle it in a wadded towel, then arrange the string or yarn with white glue.

Another way to quickly attach the roping to the lampshade is to use glue dots or glue strips. Theyre available at most any craft store and make it a breeze to apply the roping, yarn or other material to the lampshades. Simply peel the glue strips away from the adhesive backing then place the strips along one side of the roping. Now you can just press the roping, into the design you want, right on the lampshade. There are so many different creations you can do by using roping or twine for the lampshades. Make a border of two or three rows of twine, around the top, then do the same to the bottom. Or, create a different design using stencils. Draw the design onto the shade then cover the markings by gluing on the twine or rope. Ordinary roping or twine can give your lampshades a country or rustic look, but with rope in different colors, you can achieve any look you want. Craft stores arent the only places to find colored twine and rope. Look around at a home improvement store and youll find rope in many colors, sizes and styles. The rope is generally sold by the foot, off of a reel, so theres no need to purchase more than what you need. And, their selection makes it easy to choose a large roping or twine for a huge lampshade or smaller versions for small shades. Simplistic patterns are, obviously, easier to accomplish than detailed designs. Use the rope to make "V" shapes around the lampshade, for example. But, if youd like to create something a little more impressive try using a coloring book page. Tape the drawing to the underside of the shade, trace the image onto the front side, then glue the rope or twine to the shade to finish the design. You dont necessarily have to use the same color of twine for the entire design. Use different colors - even different diameters of twine - to create various looks. With the coloring page technique you can make a lampshade that displays an antique bicycle, a crawling baby, a field of flowers or even a cartoon character - all from twine or rope. Theres no need to stop at the lampshade when redesigning the lamp. Use the roping to make matching accents on certain lamps. You can wrap a ceramic lamp all the way around and it will look like a totally different lamp. For this procedure its best to use twine or rope rather than yarn or string. Since the roping used on the shade will match the roping on the lamp itself no one will know it wasnt purchased that way. Whether the purse straps are a little tight right now and you dont have the money to redecorate, or you simply have a ball of twine youd like to use, try revamping one of your lampshades - or lamps. Youll have a lot of fun thinking of the different designs you can make and then actually creating them. Everyone who sees the finished lamp will be very impressed at your talent; youll be the only one who knows how easy it was!