How to make a feather lamp

by Andrea Ford

Nature is adding a glam edge to decor in a variety of ways from cowhide rugs to owl-shaped umbrella stands. Bring your own touch of finery from the outdoors in with a statement-making light fixture found in trendy design stores for hundreds more than this DIY version. You can adapt this feather shade to a hardwired pendant, hanging lamp or decorative shade.

Materials

· Drum lamp hade with upper spider brace

· Hot glue gun

· Glue sticks

· 1-5lbs craft feathers 2-3” long (such as Duck Cosse)

· Bias tape or Grosgrain ribbon trim (1/2”-1” wide)

· Light kit: socket cord, chain or downrod, canopy kit

Directions

1. Trim long quills (feather stems) to no more than ¼”.

2. Sort feathers into groups by length – long (for the bottom), medium (for the middle) and short (for the top).

3. Turn your shade upside down.With the longest feathers, start gluing the quills along the bottom edge of the shade with the majority of the feather length extending beyond the shade

4. Build layers around the circumference of the shade, rather than in patches, for even plumage, working with progressively shorter feathers towards the top of the shade. Continue until the full shade is covered in feathers.

1. Hold the shade over a light to look for uneven patches of light and fill the light patches with more filler.

2. Fold a ribbon in half (widthwise) to make a slight crease. Place a thin string of hot glue along the front raw edg of feather quills at the top of the shade and over with the ribbon.

1. Place a thin string of hot glue along the inside top edge of the shade and smooth the rest of the ribbon in place.

2. Turn the cut ends of the ribbon under and glue in place.

3. Attach the shade to the bracket or lamp of your choice.