https://www.cutoutandkeep.net/projects/vintage-rulers-lampshade • Posted by Ryland Peters & Small
Hunting through old secondhand stores can result in some really interesting finds—here a collection of old hinged rulers has been transformed into a real talking point. The shade looks just as good with the light off as it does on.
Hunting through old secondhand stores can result in some really interesting finds—here a collection of old hinged rulers has been transformed into a real talking point. The shade looks just as good with the light off as it does on.
Using a tape measure, mark out 8 in. (20 cm) sections on your yardsticks with a pencil, avoiding any brass hinges etc. Use a hacksaw to cut them to this length as neatly as possible, making sure they are all the same length. Sand the ends smooth with sandpaper.
Mark a dot in the center, 3⁄8 in. (1 cm) in from each end of each ruler, and another dot 3⁄8 in. (1 cm) along from that. Use the drill to drill small holes where you have marked.
Measure the circumference of one of your lampshade rings and take a length of garden wire that is about three times this measurement. Thread the wire through the top hole in your first ruler, from back to front, then through the second hole, from front to back. Twist it back round itself, twist once around the ring and repeat with the next ruler. why not? Use different-colored wire for a cool contrast effect.
When you have gone right round the ring, making sure that the rulers are evenly spaced, twist the two ends of wire together to secure. Trim the ends and tuck the twist up under the ring to hide. Repeat step 3 with the other ring and the holes at the other ends of the rulers.