Lampshade Renovation

RebekahR

HI Guys,

I have a plain lampshade I want to decorate for my girls bedroom. But I don't know how/what to stick stuff onto it with. Can you use any glue? Or does it need to be something special as it's a heated light source?

Thanks in advance!

Ruski

I would imagine Copydex would be a good start, but I'm sure someone has experience of 'blinging up' a lampshade

Russ

sew_what

What is the shade made of? Fabric bonded to plastic, glass, paper, card, fabric stretched on a frame or something else? What are you sticking on?
I used to work for a fabric shade manufacturer - the trims were glued on with a white pva - similar to school glue or "tacky glue"
Remember the wattage rating on lampshades is relevant to the heat output of the old-fashioned tungsten lightbulbs - modern LED or low energy bulbs are a lot cooler so probably wont affect the glue so much.

RebekahR

Hiya! It's an Ikea cheapie job. I think the middle is some kind of plastic something. The outside right now is just some white basic fabric. Her room is rainbow themed so I wanted to put something on. But tbh I don't know what! I tried stickers but they just fell off as it's kind of brushed on the fabric thats on there now. She has a energy saving bulb but unsure on the wattage. Takes ages to heat up though lol! Hubby said we could get her to paint it herself?! Can you even paint a lampshade lol!

sew_what

I think you'd be OK with PVA glue then - you could stick on fabric, paper etc.
Yes you could paint, but remember it'll be like painting fabric - expect wet paint to bleed a little, although this can create a lovely water colour effect. You don't need special fabric paints as you're not going to wash it and flexibility isn't an issue.
Lots of ideas for decorated shades on Pinterest! https://www.pinterest.co.uk/search/pins/?q=decorated%20lampshades&rs=typed&term_meta[]=decorated%7Ctyped&term_meta[]=lampshades%7Ctyped

RebekahR

Thank you! I'll go take a peek!

mycleverbunnies

I've used both pva glue and mod podge (which is a specialist craft glue). Pva works but I prefer the way modpodge looks - more robust & professional I would say. I've used both for fabric,wallpaper, wool and trims on wood,lampshades.furniture & canvas. I would reccomend modpodge.
Upcycling is great.I'm about to do a door !!!128522;

mycleverbunnies

Forgot to say modpodge will stick your stickers down no problem if you still have them.Google how to use it if you aren't sure. That nonsense of symbols at the end of my last message was meant to be a smiley face!