18" Doll: Bedside Lamp

Yes....It REALLY lights up!!!!

This is a fun little project that re-uses simple items.  You may even have some (or all) of these items at home already!  

SHOPPING LIST:

4 - bendable drinking straws

1 - empty plastic bottle (like for vitamins)

1 - clear plastic drinking cup

1 - LED battery powered tea light (sell at craft stores in candle section - $1?)

scrap of paper (to decoupage onto bottle)

light-weight scraps of tissue paper (I used pieces of paper from a pattern I was cutting out)

decoupage glue

hot glue gun

white rice, pebbles, or even sand (something to add weight to the bottle)

INSTRUCTIONS:

1.    Cut out a strip of paper that will fit around your selected bottle:

(I'm sorry I can't specify a size to cut....it all depends on the size and diameter of the bottle you choose.)

Glue the strip of paper to your bottle using decoupage, and let dry.

2.    Meanwhile, cut off the rim of your plastic cup so that it is more to scale for your lamp:

(If your bottle is LARGE, you may not need to cut the cup, or if your bottle is smaller, you could use a smaller DIXIE cup to get the scale correct.  Just play with it until the "scale" looks right next to your doll.)

3.    Cut your tissue paper into small random pieces, about 1"x1".  You will need enough to cover the surface of your plastic cup.

4.    Glue your pieces onto your plastic cup with decoupage medium.  I placed them randomly, making sure to cover all of the cup from top edge to bottom edge.  I may take 2-3 "layers" of paper to get it covered and looking right.  Let the cup dry.

5.    When your bottle is dry, fill it with something to give it weight (rice, sand, pebbles, etc.):

 6.    "Tamp" the bottle on the counter or a table to make the contents settle in the bottle, and then top it off with your "weighted material" to the brim of the bottle:

7.    Have the bottle cap ready to put onto the bottle.  Add hot glue around the rim of the bottle, through the threads, and then quickly screw on the bottle cap.  Let the hot glue dry.

8.    Take 2 straws.  Insert one short end into the other straw (short end), creating a U shape.  Repeat with the other set of straws.

9.    Arrange the straws on top of the bottle cap (as shown) perpendicular to the other set of straws.  (You will hot glue one set onto the bottle cap, and then spin the bottle 90 degrees and hot glue on the other set of straws so that they sit in a "box" shape on the bottle cap.  Add enough hot glue to hold them down well, and to make the surface more "level" for the next step.

 10.    Once the hot glue is DRY, place the LED tea light onto the bottle cap.  (This LED tea light IS NOT GLUED DOWN so that you can turn it on and off or replace the battery.)

11.    Once DRY, place the lamp shade (plastic cup) over the straw armature.  You will likely need to cut the straws shorter to make the lamp shade sit at the right height over the LED tea light.  (THE LAMP SHADE IS NOT GLUED ON so that you can remove it to get to the LED tea light.)

12.    Your lamp is finished!

***** Want a LARGER LAMP???  Use a larger bottle!  It would be a better size for the "living room"!****

My 3 year old daughter is IN LOVE with this lamp!  It is simple enough for her to turn on and off, and sturdy enough for her to play with.  I think kids of all ages would love to have this....even me! :)

Please feel free to use these plans to build furniture, for sale or for pleasure, but please do not sell the PLANS as your "own".  Please also give credit to me and link back here!  I hope you enjoy them!!

***I am NOT LIABLE for any plans featured here. Please take every precaution and use your own discretion to make sure these toys are safe for children to play with them.