Melted beads = stain glass-esque lamp shade

[sweets4ever]

We have all of these ugly floor lamps.  I have no idea why/where they came from, but I think we have 4 or 5 of them that aren't being used & are randomly stored in closets - I think they breed like gremlins after midnight.    So with lots of beads, aluminum foil, a round cookie sheet, and the oven...here's a new shade for one of them.  

I used this tutorial with a few tweaks to fit my needs.  
http://www.hgtv.com/hgtv/cr_home_accessories/article/0,1789,HGTV_3255_3280447,00.html

I'm off to buy more beads, because these colors don't really match anything, I just wanted to goof around...  I hope to make a blue/green and maybe a red/purple this week.  I suppose it depends on the bead selection/sales.

The original is on the left (I hope that's obvious...hehe).

 

Off its base/bottom view...

Off its base/top view...

See next post for more images/info...

My addictions to melting things...
Bowl http://www.craftster.org/forum/index.php?topic=100619.0
Misc. Stuff http://www.craftster.org/forum/index.php?topic=103694.0
Lampshade http://www.craftster.org/forum/index.php?topic=100703.0
Starry Night http://www.craftster.org/forum/index.php?topic=101446.0
Starry Night...part deux! http://www.craftster.org/forum/index.php?topic=117155.0

[sweets4ever]

More pix...

All beaded & ready to bake!


15 mins in @ 350, things are gettin' mushy...


Half-hour or so in...


45 mins (?)... is that creamed corn?...
(I had to dremel the center hole out once it cooled, 'cause it closed a tad too much )


The old shade is good for something finally...a mold for the new shade...


Glittery beads rule my world...

Edited:
Added more pix on Page 4:  http://www.craftster.org/forum/index.php?topic=100703.msg955821#msg955821

[Krysta]

Woah, that thing is so cool! I should try that sometime...

did you just use regular pony beads?

[sweets4ever]

Yup, mostly. 

Red, Yellow & white were pony.  The glittery iredescent are lil' ponies?  Then I had some stands of old necklace beads, that turned out to be dark grey coated beads...but they were really metal - they turned out kidna neat though.

[jodilee]

  WOW  I'm sick with jealousy!!!  Its beautiful and I wanna make one too. Have you used a certain type of beads or just any so long as they are plastic and therefore meltable  ( is meltable a word??)

Please let me know what sort of beads if they are a special sort. Its such a good idea so thanks for sharing and giving me a sleepless night cos now I have seen this I won't be able to sleep for planning how I'm gonna make one and its 11.10pm here in Holland and I have to be at work at 6am and I'm gonna have to wait until weekend before I can get busy and oh God how am I gonna last until then??

[aliastriona_angerboda]

Melted beads are taking over Craftster!

That's really pretty, and the in-progress pics are cool.  It's neat (and helpful!) to see how they look as they melt.


                          ...and you could always send it my way...it matches my stuff perfectly 

[sweets4ever]

Hehe!!  You're too funny!

Pony beads worked GREAT here.  The solid colors melted faster, but neither solid or translucent caused any probs.
Octagonal beads work... tiffie1023 used them, http://www.craftster.org/forum/index.php?topic=16740604.0
Triangular beads work but they took a long time when I made an itty bitty bowl (my first one!) yesterday... http://www.craftster.org/forum/index.php?topic=16740604.0
Random chunky plastic beads & things... even plastic army men.  

Seed beads suck.  

Mardi gras necklaces are your friend, as well.  

Careful of fumes... I opened all windows, had the turbo exhaust fan on & didn't go on that level of the house unless I had to.    You never know what's toxic & what isn't... (or I don't at least!).

[jMi]

Holy moly Jean, that is AWESOME! I so have a similar, but way worse, lamp and I think I might need to try something like that.

[sweets4ever]

Melted beads are taking over Craftster!

                          ...and you could always send it my way...it matches my stuff perfectly 

They ARE taking over!  I, for one, am addicted.  Hehe.. I don't know if the stained glass-like appearance, or just the actual productive nature of getting to melt stuff?  tee hee!

I might send it to you!  I'm gonna hold on to it for a week or so, my MIL wants to see it when she visits next week.  But unless my boy wants it... I don't really know where I'm gonna stick it anyway

Holy moly Jean, that is AWESOME! I so have a similar, but way worse, lamp and I think I might need to try something like that.

They really do multiple...!!  I can't wait to make a blue green one... I'm so excited!  I never left the house though..   I hate the busy road to drive down to get to the good bead store.

Hmm... I'm calling Country Dollar (it's just like a Dollar General, but craftier!) they are just a block away...buhaha... they are gonna think I'm fruity.

[retroeva]

Holy moly Jean! Those are incredible! I planned on a pretty damper evening scrounging through my craft closet to see what I wanted to do, and now I know!!!!!