I have often thought about throwing out my old cassette tapes, but it always felt like such a waste.
Then one day I saw a photo of a cool lamp made from those little mini tapes. So I though I would make my own version and recycle my old normal sized tapes that I never use any more and make this cassette tape lamp ^_^
It makes a really pretty pattern on the walls too when its turned on!
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If you have an old lamp lying around the house then that is perfect!
I used one with a wooden base.
Measure your base and measure your cassettes to ensure that you can rest the new shade onto the base of your lamp once you have made it.
Remove your old lamp shade.
You now need:
Your 16 old cassette tapes.
Glue.
You can move the base of your lamp away as you won't need it again until you have made your new shade.
Glue two of your tapes together, side by side.
Repeat this. You should now have two sets of two tapes as pictured in the top circle.
Then glue them together to create a set of four tapes, as in the bottom circle.
Repeat with the remaining tapes. You should then have 4 sets of 4 tapes.
IMPORTANT! You must leave your glue to dry for the recommend time on the packet before you attempt the next step.
Now your glue is dry lay your tapes down as pictured.
You now need to stick them all together to make your new lamp shade.
I have numbered the sides on the diagram as I find this is the easiest way to glue them. A->A then B->B first. Then C and D should fit in at the same time.
You should now have your four sided cassette tape lamp shade :)
Again, please put to one side to allow for the glue to dry.
You now need the base of your lamp and your chosen colour of spray paint.
Paint away ^_^
Once you have painted your base leave it to dry.
Apply glue to the underside of your cassette lamp.
Apply glue to the area on the base your lamp will rest.
Glue together.
Ta-Dahhhh! One boring lamp turned into a cassette tape lamp!
What to do with your old lamp shade you may ask...
Why not decorate it with any bits and bobs you have lying around like left over ribbon or bows.
Plus, don't forget to use an energy saving bulb in your lamp :)
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beryl
29 Apr 00:21
WOW!! I have some old cassettes....and a boring lamp!! Thank you for the tute!!
Jet H.
29 Apr 09:39
Great idea!
Denim Venture
29 Apr 16:06
Your welcome beryl, it was fun to make! If you make one I'd love to see pics :)
KMOM14
29 Apr 17:31
Great way to upcycle old cassette tapes! Makes a great retro look lamp.
Jessica M.
04 May 21:12
this is a really cool idea, i would just be worried that the light would melt the tapes or start a fire... do you have any insight on that?
Denim Venture
05 May 00:30
Thanks for all the comments!
Jessica M: The tapes are far enough from the lamp so as not to get too hot plus the top of the lamp is open to let all the heat go out of the top :) I use mine all the time. I would advise only using a max 40 watt bulb, but that is what most lamps use.