Intercultural Project (1 of 2), Chinese Lamp

Introduction

This craft is part of an intercultural project from our English class at the Universidad Iberoamericana Puebla. In this project, we will create a traditional Chinese lamp, combining two representative colors: red, which symbolizes good fortune and prosperity in Chinese culture, and yellow, which adds a decorative and elegant touch. This exercise not only encourages creativity and manual work, but also brings us closer to other cultures, celebrating their symbolism and art.

For this project, we will use simple and easy-to-find materials, but they are essential to give the lamp the right structure and design. Make sure you have the following items:

- Scissors

- Cutter

- 2 red sheets

- 1 yellow sheet (preferably golden)

- Double-sided tape

- Ruler

To begin, cut the red sheets into the following dimensions, making sure to measure precisely:

- 16 × 28 cm

- 13 × 28 cm

Use the ruler to mark the lines before cutting, and make the cuts with scissors or a cutter to achieve a clean edge.

Marking the edges

On the larger sheet (16 × 28 cm), mark two 1 cm wide edges along the longer sides of the sheet. These edges will be used to fold or join the pieces during assembly, so make sure the marks are clear and straight.

Mark 2 cm wide edges along the longer sides of the sheet.

In the center of the larger sheet, mark 1 cm wide lines spaced evenly apart. These lines will later be cut to create a pattern in the lamp's structure.

Cutting result

After marking and cutting the 1 cm lines in the central part, you will achieve a result similar to the image. The cut paper strips will form the characteristic design of the Chinese lamp, allowing light to pass through the slits once the lamp is fully assembled.

Applying the double-sided tape

Now, apply the double-sided tape along the longer edges of the large sheet that you previously cut and marked. Make sure the tape is well-aligned with the edges so the assembly is clean and firm. This step is important to ensure that the pieces adhere properly during the final assembly.

Next, take the other sheet (the 13 × 28 cm piece) and attach it to one of the edges where you applied the double-sided tape.

Attach the loose edge to the other end of the sheet that is already adhered. Make sure to align both edges well before pressing firmly.

On one of the shorter ends, apply double-sided tape along the edge.

Final curvature and separation of the lines

When joining the last edge with the other, the lamp structure will take on a cylindrical shape. It's important to carefully separate the cut lines in the middle of the sheet to give the lamp its characteristic design. These separations will allow the light to flow through the cuts, creating an attractive and traditional visual pattern.

Cutting the yellow sheets

Now, using the yellow sheet, cut the following strips with the specified dimensions:

- One strip of 2 × 19 cm

- Two strips of 2 × 30 cm

Placing the yellow strips

Take the smaller strip of 2 × 19 cm and use it as the handle for the lamp, attaching it to the top of the cylinder. Then, place the larger strips of 2 × 30 cm on the top and bottom edges of the lamp, ensuring they are well-adhered. These strips will not only reinforce the structure but also add a decorative contrast to the lamp, giving it a more attractive finish.

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