D.I.Y Day 7#: Neon Lace Print Lampshade

So neon is a huge trend, so why not take an old lampshade and give it a new lease of life. Yes you can go out and buy a new one, but why waste something just because of it's colour upcyle it and style it how you like. Plus you know me I like to be thrifty and save my money for important things, like shoes! This was inspired by the lace projects from the wonderful 'A Beautiful Mess' bloggers, they have one for a coffee table which I adored so I thought why not apply it to a lamp.

Things you will need:

• Old lampshade (cream or white ones will work best)
• Lace (I used an old piece we had, also check the pattern as this will be the stencil)
• Tape
• Neon/ normal coloured spray paint (I adore neon pink, but it's up to you)
• Scissors
• Newspaper or magazine
• Glue (this is if you add the lace trim at the end, optional

Step 1: Go outside and tape down newspaper on the ground, ready for your lamp to be sprayed (you need air, trust me this stuff is not good to inhale wet) .Take your lace and wrap it around your shade, you can use a pen to mark on the inside if you like. I just used a piece of tape, and than start to cut it to size so that it covered the whole thing. If you wish you can also tape a plastic bag inside to stop heaps of paint going in, just so it's neat. 

Step 2: I had extra lace so stuffed it inside, anyway make sure the lace is even and joins well, try to join it in the same place where the shade itself joins. Check your can of spray paint first (don't use it if it's damaged), you can place your tape inside to weight down the shade, so it doesn't roll around. Now take your spray paint, shake the can and start to spray slowly and evenly. Take your time, I rushed mine and missed bits try to let each bit dry out before topping up or it will bleed.

Step 3: So take your time letting each bit dry, or like mine it will bleed I rushed mine :(
You need to make sure you have covered the whole shade. Once fully dry remove the lace slowly you now have the stencil of the lace on the shade. Now instead of going out to buy a new lamp, when this one works find you have give it a whole new feel.


Optional: Don't throw the sprayed coloured lace ......
If you have messed it up a little, don't worry take the lace that has been sprayed over and cut along making it into a strip. You can use it as a trim and place it at the top, bottom or even the middle. Just make sure you have cut it evenly, I suggest placing the glue on the side and than careful roll the trim onto the shade. Than stand it up to make sure it's even and let it dry. Rolling it on, will mean you don't get covered in glue, as if you push it on it will bleed through the lace.

Note about the spray paint, incase you were worried about using it: 

Flammable vs. Combustible

Combustible means that something will burn.

Flammable also means that, BUT... its meaning goes beyond that. Flammable does mean something will burn, but tremendously faster and much more violently.

Therefore, spray paint, before it dries is highly flammable.

On the other hand, after spray paint has dried and cured, it would only be considered combustible, not flammable.

Read more: http://wiki.answers.com/Q/Is_spray_paint_flammable_when_its_dry#ixzz1soPiCljQ