I picked up one of those battery powered plastic camping lamps at a yard sale for $3. It didn’t come with the 6 volt battery, but we happened to have one of those at home in our battery stash. Not sure if either the battery or the camping lamp would actually work, I put the battery in lamp when I got home and, voila! They both worked.
I gave it to Ken to add to his camping supplies, but instead of putting it in the pile with the rest of our camping gear, he left it sitting out in the open… where I could see it…everyday.
Since have-lamp-will-decorate has been my motto lately, this plain old plastic camping lamp has since gotten a makeover with some fish netting, scrapbook paper and decoupage.
Supplies:
Plastic camping lamp/ lantern
Camping themed scrapbook paper (1 large sheet)
Decoupage (I used Mod Podge Matte)
Decorative fish netting
Office type clips (2-3)
Foam craft brush
1) Measure and cut a piece of fish netting to wrap around the lamp shade, but allow a few inches for overlap.
2) Unscrew the lamp base bottom from the lamp base top section. Measure a piece of scrap book paper that will wrap around the lamp base. Since my paper was on the thick side, I did it as two halves that wrap around the base and meet.
Also, I ripped the paper, rather than cut with scissors because I find that ripped edges always adhere better with decoupage.
3) Slather plastic lamp shade with decoupage and immediately wrap the fish net piece around the lamp shade. Pat into place, attach several clips, trim off the excess netting along the seam and then let dry. Apply two more thick coats of decoupage, letting each coat dry.
4) Slather the bottom section of the lamp base with decoupage, then the back side of the scrapbook paper with decoupage and immediately apply the paper to the lamp base. Line up the design of the two halves, if needed. Pat and let dry.
5) Apply another coat of decoupage to the lamp base, dampen hands and gently rub down the wrinkles and then let dry.
6) Rip or cut off the excess paper along the base of the lamp where it meets the screw on section of the lamp base.
Note: I didn’t do this on mine, but I was thinking that trimming the edge out with trim, such as washi tape, would be a nice finishing touch.
Update!!!
Camping lamp now has trim ——>
Although Ken thinks I’ve gone and ruined a perfectly functional piece of camping gear, I would have to say that I think this lamp is cute and campy enough as a gift for
Father’s Day, a fisherman or the camper/glamper.
Hoping your day is “nothin’ but net”!! ~ Amy
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Anne says
That’s a cute idea Amy! Turned out great!
Shanna Gilbert says
I have never seen a camping lamp before. You made it darling!
Mel says
Hey that’s really cute for camping so much better than before. Men just not get cute 🙂
Feral Turtle says
It would take you to turn something…well not so pretty, into pure cuteness! Ken is so lucky to have such a genius wife! He will probably want to run out and get you flowers or chocolates…..
heather f says
You are kind of awesome. 🙂 This is just perfect for glamping and I think you are the cutest for turning a camping light into something special.