diy by Kate Pruitt 57

diy project: fish scale pendant lamp


This is the second project we’ve shared from designer Kara Paslay in recent weeks, and again she’s managed to reintroduce me to a cool technique I had long forgotten about. Inspired by the ocean, Kara decided to transform a simple paper globe into a beautiful sculptural pendant lamp. By dyeing and dipping cut paper rounds into wax, Kara has transformed the material into an almost unrecognizable state. The “scales” have a glowing, translucent finish and a gorgeous deep watery hue, giving the lamp a beautiful texture, whether it’s unlit or switched on and glowing from within.

I can’t get over how far removed the end result is from a simple paper globe, and given that the whole project cost around $20 and can be done in an afternoon makes it even more appealing! If you’re looking to add some oceany colors and textures to your home for summer, this inexpensive and easy project might be the perfect choice. Thanks for sharing, Kara! — Kate

Have a DIY project you’d like to share? Just shoot me an email with your images right here! (Low res, under 500k per image, please.)

Read the full how-to after the jump . . .



Every year around this time, I start to daydream about the beach and the beautiful scenery that surrounds it. My beach dreaming, coupled with my love for the fish scale pattern and obsession with unique lighting fixtures spurred the idea for this fresh and fun DIY project. The different dye baths used in the project create a ton of watery texture, while the wax technique allows light to filter through the piece and adds to that “scale like” feel. The project can be completed in an afternoon for about $20, which means all of us who can’t make it to the deep blue sea this summer can at least surround ourselves with something sea inspired! Happy creating! — Kara Paslay


Materials

  • 110# paper
  • circle cutter (available at most craft stores)
  • Rit Dye
  • paraffin wax
  • mineral oil
  • crock pot
  • extra bowl
  • white paper lantern
  • glue gun

 

Instructions

1. Use your circle cutter and use 110# paper to create around 200 circles. The 200 circles will cover a 14 in. paper lantern.

2. Place the cut circles into a bucket of Rit Dye (I used the purple and purple mixed with teal) and allow them to darken to your taste. I chose to make my circles different shades to enhance the texture of the final piece.


3. Create a double boiler with your crock pot and extra bowl. Put a block of the paraffin wax in the extra bowl to melt. Once the wax is melted, add mineral oil to thin the wax. Make sure your circles are dry and then dip each one into the wax, making sure to leave a portion of the top clean and clear of any wax. Lay the circle on wax paper to dry.


Note: Dipping the circles in the wax makes the paper transparent and allows the light to pass through it more easily.


4. Once the wax has dried, start attaching the circles to a white paper lantern. Use a glue gun and be sure to place the glue on the portion of the circle that does not have wax on it.


5. Work your way around the lantern until it is fully covered. I started at the bottom and overlapped my circles in a fish scale-like pattern so the top layer would be at the top of the lantern.


6. Use the lighting kit that comes with the lantern to create an amazing light fixture!

Note: I tested the lantern using a 60 watt compact florescent lightbulb, and the wax stayed cool and completely intact. I recommend sticking with compact florescent bulbs to keep the heat in check.

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57 Comments

Rubina

Amazing idea! And there are so many different tones that could be used to customize this beauty!

lise

This totally reminds me of one of my favourite childhood books ‘The Rainbow Fish’ by
Marcus Pfister!

unsightly

This is so beautiful, I need to make one for my daughter’s room soon.

cathy

Oh this is fabulous. If only I need a lamp!
Kara, you rock.

Claire Jain

Gahhhhh, this is so beautiful! I’ve been needing to fancy up a paper lantern for my sewing room. This is so what I’m doing. Get ready, candle supplies, things are about to get hot!

Sarah

This is amazing! The dye + paper + wax technique itself is useful for tons of projects. Love it!

peaches

This is really cool. I’m a tiny bit concerned about mixing wax and hot glue (doesn’t it pop apart when it dries?)….but I’m willing to try it for something this nifty. I just love the look of colored wax. Great stuff!

Robin

Gorgeous! It sort of reminds me of a softer version of the famous artichoke lamp. I’d love to try this in a more neutral colorway too.

Melissa Kojima

How great. I like how the was makes the card stock paper transparent. What a great way to spruce up one of those paper lanterns.

Stephanie

Awesome job Kara! I love your site and love this project.

Courtney

So beautiful. I love the colors and I’m dying to try this technique out on my own. Thank you!

Kara Paslay

Thanks for the comments ladies! :) You’ve made my day! If you do make one for yourself, I would love to see pictures of it. I know there could be so many different and beautiful versions of this idea!

Peaches- You are right about wax and hot glue not working together. To avoid this problem, don’t dip your circle all the way in the wax- leave a portion at the top dry for the hot glue to stick to. Hope this helps! :)

Julie- I never actually measure how much mineral oil I mix in- I just keep adding it until the mixture is a little thicker than a water consistency.

Kristin B

I was thinking the same thing as Lise – this totally reminds me of The Rainbow Fish. I love it! The range of colours and textures are remarkable.

priscilla

Beautiful! It looks like so much fun to make – and a lovely outcome! I love all the coordinating elements in your photo too :)

ri gal

Yeah! My colours, wax and paper. Definitely trying it.

Chrisiec

Unbelievably awesome!! Have to try this!! Thanks!!

Eva

Wooooow so pretty! I love the colors you did, thank you so much for sharing. I would a bunch of these glowing from the trees during our summer parties I think it would look gorgeous – cheers!

Jennifer

Very unexpected. I love the tip about dipping the paper in wax to make them translucent.

Win

Making this with gold and yellow for my sister’s wedding reception. She’s gonna freak!

Roxanne

Beautiful work Kara! I’ve got tons of ideas from this and hope I can show you my own version in a few weeks.

Kristin

How in the world did you get all of those colors on the circles? did you just sprinkle different colors on the circles? how did you get the white splotches? I love the colors you specifically use, but I am confused on the process of how you got it that way.

Lorene

This is really pretty!

Do you have any problems with the wax melting when the lamps gets hot? Or do you just need to use a CFL bulb so it stays cool?

Frances

Just stunning. I love the color and texture she was able to achieve. The scales elevate this lamp to artwork. Thanks for the inspiration.

Helen

I love this project, I’m definintely going to make a few for my dining room area!

Lisa Johnson

brilliant! I’m a huge Kara-fan and this project is definitely going on my list. It’s perfect for my daughter’s room. She’s going to love both the project and the results!

sarah newton

This is beautiful!!! I want to make this for my daughters room but can anyone tell me what 110# paper is and where I might find it? Thank You!

debra

This is lovely … but wax is a dirt magnet and can’t be cleaned. So for all the work…

Jessica

Could some kind of vellum paper be dyed and used instead of dipping it in wax? How big are the circles used?

Kara Paslay

Oh wow! Again, thanks for all the positive responses! To achieve the different colors on each circle, I did a couple of different things, mainly I dipped some in two different dyes and dashed powder dyes on top of a few others. The white is just where the wax is a little thicker in areas. Also, I’ve found a wet cloth works fine to remove dust from the wax.

Sarah- you can get 110 lb paper at any office supply store as well.

Lorene- I tested the light with a 60 watt bulb and everything stayed nice and cool, but I definitely recommend using a CFL bulb just to be safe! :)

Hope that helps! :) Can’t wait to see other people’s versions!

Amber Moriak

I don’t know if my attempt at this failed because of using the wrong paper or if it was because of the wrong ratio of wax to mineral oil, but mine is definitely not transparent. It still looks pretty nice and more like a lotus then fish scales due to how the circles were arranged. I love the idea, though, and will have to try this again!

Emily

When dying the circles, did you add any water or anything to the dye? If so, how much?

Maure Briggs-Carrington

Totally LOVE ! Would the weight of the paper be about like cardstock ?

Jesse

So glad I pinned this! Gonna try it soon for a bedroom upstairs that is slightly nautical, without all the oars and life preservers – just a hint :D

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