DIY Lamps - How to Wire Your Own

Lately I have seen lots of amazing DIY lamps. 

I have been admiring one in particular which belongs to Mandi from Vintage Revivals. She created the coolest DIY Anthropologie teacup lamp. 

Here is the Anthropologie teacup lamp:

And here is Mandi's version:

amazing right?!

You can make lamps out of just about anything; vases, statues, etc.

However, if your like me the electrical "know how" involved might be holding you back.

Check out Mandi's great tutorial, and also this one below I found from HGTV that instructs you on all you need to know:

Materials Needed:

• pliers
• screwdriver
• wire cutter
• lamp rewiring kit, containing socket, cord and plug

Remove Old Socket

Before starting, make sure lamp is not plugged in. Use the screwdriver to press the sleeve of the socket out. If the socket has a "press here" inscription, press your thumb on the inscription and lift the sleeve off.

Cut Old Wires

Pull the socket up and use the wire cutter to cut/disconnect the old wires. Flip lamp over and unscrew nut on bottom of lamp base. Pull thread up and remove old socket. Pull the cord out of the bottom of the fixture.

Install New Lamp Cord

Feed the new cord from the lamp kit through the hole in the bottom of the lamp until it comes out at the top, and attach new socket.

Split the Wires and Knot Cords

Using the wire cutters, split wires by cutting along the groove. Use the wire cutter to remove approximately an inch of the insulation from each wire. Tie the split cords using an underwriter's knot. Make a loop with each wire and then feed the opposite color wire through each loop to create a figure eight. Note: Check the lamp kit's instructions for an illustration.

Connect Wires

Use the screwdriver to loosen the screws on either side of the new socket. Wrap each exposed wire around a screw on the socket. Use the screwdriver to tighten the screws and hold the wires in place.

Snap Sleeve On and Test

Slide the sleeve back on the socket until it snaps into place. Test the wire by plugging it into an outlet.



After reading this I am definitely going to give it a try!