Lamps!

A few months ago I bought two ceramic vases because I thought they would make good lamps. 

Now I had no idea how to actually turn said vases into lamps.  I wasn’t sure how I would cut a hole in the bottom for the wiring.  I wasn’t sure how I was going to make a base and I wasn't really sure how to wire it. 

Luckily I don’t let things like my complete ignorance about how to do something stop me from attempting to do said thing.

I laugh in the face of DIY failure! 

I can do that though, DIY failure and I are old friends. 

My other problem is that I live in a small condo and don’t really have space for two more lamps, or two vases for that matter.  Luckily, my friend Alison has a larger house and was kind enough to humor my lamp proposal with great enthusiasm and agreed to take the lamps off my hands, even if it is just to put them in the basement.*

* Alison, if your agreement was only the beer talking, I understand.  Don’t worry.  I have also pitched this idea to Kristen. She was agreeable, but less enthusiastic.  Probably because she doesn’t have a basement. 

So I finally made these vases into lamps.  Here are my instructions if you want to make your own.  (I don't blame you for not clicking, I wouldn't trust my instructions either)

I’m pretty pleased with how they turned out. 


Even better, making these two lamps only cost me about $70 total.  That's $35 a lamp.  If you’ve been shopping for ceramic lamps recently, you know that's a pretty good deal. 


If you haven’t been shopping for ceramic lamps,  they now cost ONE MILLION DOLLARS!

Yes, I realize that all my pop culture references are about ten to fifteen years old.
Now don't you feel really cool in comparison? 

Seriously though, they’re pretty pricey, or pricey by government attorney standards.  Here are a few examples from around the internet.  



$169 from Ballards

 

$230 from Lamps Plus

$205 from Napa Home and Garden

Here are a few I found in a local lamp shop.

Yes, that's $595

Only $295. 

Anyway, Alison, I hope you like them.  If not, I'm sure Jesse will appreciate the additional light in the basement!