Friday, June 10, 2011

Paint stir sticks - a new look in lighting




Riddle:
What do you get when you cross an old thrift store lampshade with 50 million paint stir sticks?



This



Okay it was more like 42 stir sticks but who's counting? Probably the paint desk people. When I asked if they sold them in bulk, they answered, "No, take as many as you want." I told them I needed a lot and they said, "Go on, go ahead, take a bunch."



So I grabbed a bunch, pretended I didn't notice they were looking at me funny and ran out. I did this over and over until I had the amount I needed. Sometimes I tried to be a little more nonchalant about it by saying "Oh, how did 12 paint sticks end up in my cart?? Crazy kids, ha ha ha." during checkout. When in doubt, blame the 5 year-old.



I'm sure there is a picture of me behind the desk warning the clerks of the crazy lady with a stir stick fetish. No fetish, just an idea I had to see through.
(But if you've ever worked retail there are those pictures behind the desk of serial returners, bad check writers, irate customers and other types. Just a little fyi.)

Anyway, I have had this idea on my mind since I saw it on HGTV about 3 years ago. And when I found this huge lampshade, I knew what I wanted to do with it. Then I made a mistake by dismantling it and couldn't put it back together correctly even after several attempts.




So, I found another shade ($2.00) which was smaller but left it intact and just hot glued the stir sticks to the outside, adjusting each one in order for the sticks to go around as straight as possible.



After I give it a coat of stain (since the stir sticks are made out of wood) and prime and paint the underside so the logo doesn't show, she will be ready to put into place. I am using the existing light fixture in the entrance so it will need to be painted as well (see 1st picture) and then I can finally see how this will all turn out and you'll be the next to know.

1 comment:

Brandy J. said...

I just found your blog and am your newest follower. This project is fabulous! Thanks for leaving me totally inspired.