Wooden Sticks Lamp

I like this kind of lamp because it is quite easy to build, even without the help of machines and you could adjust the design in many different ways, like stain your wood sticks, color you wood sticks, change the arrangement, mix thin and thick sticks, and much more ...

This one was made all by hand.

Supplies:

• thin wooden slats
• I took 10mm by 20mm
• a ready made standing lamp holder
• e.g. like this
• a light bulb of your choice
• maybe vintage, maybe not - you decide
• wood glue
• optional: hard wax oil (to seal the wood)
• optional: dark wood stain and a paintbrush

Tools:

• a handsaw or a circular saw
• sandpaper grit 150 or 180 or a grinding machine
• optional a mitre box
• cotton cloth or paper towels
• right angle
• one or two bar clamps

First you need to cut your wood sticks from your wood slats. To find out the length and the number of sticks, you need to measure the width/depth and the height of your lamp holder including the light bulb of your choice.

Calculate the length of your sticks

The size depends on the width of your lamp holder. You should leave at least one centimeter space at each side. Also don't forget to add on double the width of your wood slats and double the height of your wood slats (for the overhang at the corners).

So my lamp holder has a width and depth of 8cm. My slats where 1cm by 2cm.

This calculates to: 8cm + 2*1cm (space) + 2*2cm (width of the slats/sticks) + 2*1cm (for the corners) = 16cm length

Also you need to keep in mind, that if you want to finish the top with sticks as well, you need to calculate your length by counting your top sticks and the space between.

In my case I wanted to cover with the side sticks and three more in between = 5 (sticks)*2cm + 4 (spaces)*1cm + 2*1cm (for the corners) = 16cm length (fits perfect to my former calculation).

Calculate the number of your sticks

The number of your sticks depends on the height of your wood slats and the height of your lamp hold plus light bulb plus some space above. Keep in mind that you stack two sticks on every level.

I have a height of 16cm so I decided to build the lamp cover with a height of 20cm.

This calculates to: 2 (sticks)* 20 + 3 (sticks for the top) = 43 sticks needed.

It's a good idea to cut some more sticks than you need, so you could replace bad looking or damaged sticks.

Grinding

After cutting your sticks, you should grind the edges smooth.

Now you could apply wood stain or some color. I colored half of my sticks to create a zebra like look.

I applied the stain with a paint brush and let the sticks dry upon two triangular wood slats.

For the first two levels you should use a right angle or something which helps you keep the angle at 90 degree. For the corner space you could help yourself with another wood stick if you've choose for the same corner overhang as the height of your sticks is.

You decide which color you like to start with.

Put a drop of wood glue on each end of the two bottom sticks, but leave the corner space left. Then put the second level of sticks on top and press both levels together. You could cover it with some piece of wood board or plate and use bar clamps to keep it tight together.

Maybe you need to clean off some wood glue pressed out between the sticks. Use a folded paper towel or cotton cloth for this.

Then wait for the glue to dry and release the clamps after. Now you have a stable base to build on.

Continue building level by level the same way. It feels like building a Jenga tower ;) If you press your sticks hard against each other by hand and work carefully and fast, you could build your lamp cover without having to clamp in between.

You could use your leftover sticks to help aligning your sticks right.

Don't forget to clean squeezed out glue immediate.

At the top you could use your sticks again for the right space between all top sticks. After all, put some heavy weight on top or use your clamps again and let the glue dry for a while.

Now your are done. Find a nice place for your lamp. Place the lamp holder (with the light bulb mounted) and cover it with your new lamp cover. Turn the switch on and enjoy!