From Freecycle to Fabulous Lamp

As I was scrolling through my Google Reader this post from Copy Cat Chic caught my eye. (I love that site! Reichel Broussard does the comparison shopping for you on home decor items. You should go check it out for yourself.)

The post in question white versions of these lamps.

The one on the left, the Robert Abbey Rico Espinet Fuzo Koffi Table Lamp, is a bit over $200. The copy cat, on the right, the Ashanti Table Lamp, is almost $100.

This is where it gets interesting…

Take a look at these ridges.

Don’t they look similar to the ridges on the lamps above? I thought so too.



Well, I can tell you that these ridges didn’t cost as much as the ones above since it this is my Freecycle table lamp. I got this ridged beauty and this lamp for free a couple of years ago.

When I picked this baby up, she had no shade and was a “lovely” shade of yellow-y brown, with several chips and scratches. I would regale you with photos of her original ceramic loveliness but, alas, I can’t find any before photos. (bad blogger, bad!)

Needless to say, all that she needed was a couple coats of Rust-o-leum Hammered Bronze spray paint to cover up her flaws and a new shade.

It was a very easy, if slightly time consuming process.

1. I wiped down the ceramic parts first with a damp cloth, then with a Clorox wipe. She was pretty dusty and dirty so I wanted to make sure to get all the grime off.

2. I taped off the light sockets and cord. The plastic grocery bags work great for this since you can put the entire cord inside and just tape off the top of the bag.

3. Using a sanding block, I gave it a light sanding, then wiped it down again.

4.  I did put a coat of primer on.  But I am still not convinced that this step is necessary with ceramic pieces since I have done some items with primer and some without and haven't been able to tell the difference.

5. Then it was time to spray her down. It took a number of light coats to get complete coverage – at least 5 or 6. If you have used the hammered metal spray paints, you know that this is often the case.

6. I let her dry for 24 hours before adding the light blubs and shade (from Target though I no longer see it listed on their website) and taking her for a test run.

Gorgeous!

Cost of the Project:

$ 0.00 Lamp (from Freecycle)
   6.00 Rust-oleum Hammered Bronze spray paint
  20.00 Lampshade (from Target)
$26.00 Total Cost

I like this price versus the $100 or $200 price tags on the other, similar, lamps.

If you like the framed coins, you can see how I put it together here.

Linking up to the following parties.

Making the Word Cuter, DIY Home Sweet Home, A Round Tuit,The Girl Creative, Mad in Crafts, Keeping it Simple,Sumo's Sweet Stuff, Singing Three Little Birds, Skip to My Lou, C.R.A.F.T., Craftomaniac, Marvelously Messy, Coastal Charm, Northern Cottage, Hope Studios, Tip Junkie, A Bowl Full of Lemons, Sugar Bee Crafts, Homework, Today's Creative Blog, Confessions of a Stay at Home Mommy, The Thrifty Home, Blue Cricket Design, Passionately Artistic, Not Just a Housewife, Type A, Crafty, Scrappy, Happy, Brassy Apple, Homemaker on a Dime, Sisters of the Wild West, Tutus and Tea Parties,Dwell on Joy, The Blackberry Vine,Serendipity and Spice,Vintage Mauve,