Practically Free Pom-Pom Lamp!

My mom is great. She's always bringing me random things saying, "I thought you might be able to make something out of this!". A couple of weeks ago she brought me a 2-pack of microwave plate covers from the Dollar Tree. I knew just what I was going to do with it....

A lamp, of course!!

Materials List:
-1 yard of tulle in the color of your choice (I wish I'd had pink!)
-2 plate covers
-1 strand of white twinkle lights

I already had the tulle and lights, so this project only cost 100 pennies! Nice!

1) Cut your tulle into small squares, about 2-3". No need to be exact, just whack away!!

2) Cut a small flap in the side of one plate cover, large enough for your plug to fit through.

4) Stuff your lights into the plate cover and pull the cord through, stopping just before the first twinkle light comes through the flap. Then shut the flap as much as it will go and put a small piece of clear packing tape over the flap.

5) Set the other plate cover on top, so they meet at the bottoms, with the lights in the middle, and tape all the way around to hold them together.

6) Lay 4 or 5 (again, no need to be exact!) squares of tulle on top of each other and pinch them in the middle, making a little pouf shape:
7) Glue the bottoms of the poufs to the plate covers, starting in the middle and working all the way around, leaving the back side(where the cord comes out) bare. Glue them fairly close together, that way they will keep their shape and hide the lights.

8) Drill, cut, or punch a hole in the back side for a nail to go through. Or glue on a picture hanging hook if you have one!

7) Plug the lamp in first, and then see how far your cord will reach, then hang on the wall!









Unfortunately these pictures don't do justice to this lamp at all! It's so pretty when the lights are low! It reminds me of those dandelions that kids love to blow on :o)


*I love that so many people have enjoyed this idea, but I just want to add a little disclaimer here: this is a fun diy project but should NOT be used as an all-day light source, and definitely not as a nightlight. I've never had any trouble with mine overheating, but you just never know about these things and I want you guys to be safe!
Thanks! :O)

Comments

  1. I absolutely LOVE this idea! Thank you so much for sharing it with us....

    ReplyDelete
  2. Wow you are so creative!! That lamp is genius and beautiful!

    ReplyDelete
  3. This is SO cute!!! :) I'm adding it to my list of things I'd like to make.

    ReplyDelete
  4. What a cool idea - can't wait to do this!!!

    ReplyDelete
  5. I do believe I have to make one of these! Thanks..It's too cute.

    ReplyDelete
  6. How cute is that!! Oh, I love it! Thanks for sharing

    ReplyDelete
  7. I absolutely love this!!! I love how your mind works! :)

    ReplyDelete
  8. It looks really neat when lit up. I can tell that your daughter is thrilled by it. Another project to put in my ideas' binder of things I want to try. The binder is mostly filled up with ideas I've gotten from you.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Oh my goodness that is just so pretty!!!!

    ReplyDelete
  10. It's so lovely! You have such great home ideas! My girls would go crazy if they saw this!

    ReplyDelete
  11. absolutely brilliant! adding to my to do list!!

    ReplyDelete
  12. That is such an ingenious idea! I love love love it! Thanks for all the great ideas!

    ReplyDelete
  13. I love it Disney! I was thinking the same thing that it looked like a dandelion. It would be so cute to put several in a row and then it would look like a field of dandelions. You never cease to amaze me with your creativity.

    ReplyDelete
  14. I love everything! could not stop till the 1st post!

    ReplyDelete
  15. This is so adorable. This would be perfect for a winter wonderland theme. We are using Cronicles Of Narnia theme for Advent at me church so I think I will try this as part of the winter wonderland.

    ReplyDelete
  16. Oh my gosh...I love it when SIMPLE=GORGEOUS!!!

    ReplyDelete
  17. Ummm, I seriously can't handle how dang cute this is! I need some daughters in a major way (though, don't you think this lamp could possibly even transition into an office? or craft room?).
    Also, you live AN HOUR from Target??? That's tragic my dear... :)

    ReplyDelete
  18. So cute!

    You do not stop with the creative ideas! I am totally giving that book/clock thing a go when I get the chance:)

    ReplyDelete
  19. That's super cute. Great idea with the plate covers!! You rock.

    ReplyDelete
  20. You have got to be the MOST creative person I have ever seen! I love this project (and all your other projects for that matter!) :-)

    ReplyDelete
  21. oh disney super cute idea, I wish I had a little girl's room to put it in, only boys here!

    ReplyDelete
  22. I'm new to your blog and let me tell you I'm so impress with all of your creations!!! I wish I new how to sew like you do, your blog gives me a lot of inspiration...
    keep it up
    Erika
    (I'm in love with your blog)

    ReplyDelete
  23. You could easily make this lamp look more like a dandelion if you made a scrunched green fabric tube to cover the cord with.

    ReplyDelete
  24. I love this idea! I am definitely going to be making this soon :)

    ReplyDelete
  25. I LOVE it!!! So, so, so cute!

    ReplyDelete
  26. i just started following your blog and you are so creative! i just loved that i was looking at my feeds just now and saw this featured on craft! way to go.

    ReplyDelete
  27. HOW CRAZY AWESOME ARE YOU! This is sooooooo COOL!

    ReplyDelete
  28. A D O R O, amo, estas ideias lindas e simples que voce apresenta!
    O máximo!
    esta eu vou fazer AGORA!

    ReplyDelete
  29. can we say Christmas Presents?!! soo cute!!
    Can't wait to make it!!

    ReplyDelete
  30. I LOVE this idea. Now, I just have to figure out where to use such a lamp...

    ReplyDelete
  31. NO WAY! This is incredibly simple and fantastic! I am SOOOO going to have to try this at home folks :) Thanks for such a great tutorial.
    Hi from Cape Town!
    Helen
    Firenze Cards

    ReplyDelete
  32. it is so cute you are a true crafter at heart!! lynne

    ReplyDelete
  33. What a great idea! I can see using these as a table decoration for the holidays.
    Thanks for sharing!
    Carol (mamababy- queen of hearts)
    RN2momsanbabies on twitter

    ReplyDelete
  34. I absolutely love your blog! Can't wait for the next post!

    ReplyDelete
  35. We love this and are going to try it! Thanks

    ReplyDelete
  36. amazing!!
    How blessed your daughter which has a such a great mom!!

    Thank you and bless you.

    ReplyDelete
  37. If I had a little girl, I would SO make this to put in her room! (If I'm feeling wild and crazy, I just might make it for myself for my craft studio!)

    I just found your blog via Dollar Store Crafts and I love it! I don't have any children, but seeing the things you make for your little girl make me want one of my own! (my husband and I can't have children, but we're hoping the Lord leads us to adopt someday).

    Keep up the good work!

    ReplyDelete
  38. well that is just the most creative thing! wow, what talent...and the lamp is so adorable too.
    really, i'm so impressed!
    xox

    ReplyDelete
  39. Um, I am SO thinking "Christmas present" with this!!!!!! My girls will LOVE it! Thank you so much for the tutorial!

    ReplyDelete
  40. lovely! thanks for sharing - came across it on TipNut... we're redecorating my DD room in a Spring Prarie theme.. this is PERFECT! and easy for the non- Martha Stewart mommy that I am. ;)

    ReplyDelete
  41. Soooo clever! I am painting nursery rhyme scenes on my grankid room - this lovely glowing orb would be a perfect moon for the cow to jump! Is it too bright for a night light? Also, do the lights fall to the bottom inside the plate covers when you hang it?

    ReplyDelete
  42. I am so blown away with your ability to turn stuff into something magical. This is gorgeous! Thanks so much, I'll be linking.

    ReplyDelete
  43. Fantastic! Gee, you do have a keen eye!

    ReplyDelete
  44. I had a house fire recently - this lamp scares me stiff!

    ReplyDelete
  45. Oh that's terribile! I'm sorry you had a house fire! Scary!
    That's why I chose to do it out of microwave plate covers, they're meant to hold up under tons of heat. So if they don't burn down my plastic tree, then they shouldn't burn this either! :o)

    ReplyDelete
  46. I WANT to do this!!! But I didn't find the plate covers at the dollar stores near me :-(

    ReplyDelete
  47. What an awesome idea! I'm definitely going to try this.

    ReplyDelete
  48. Count me among those who think this is absolutely adorable! (Though I'm curous - what kind of glue did you use?) I linked to this on my weekly roundup (bit slow in letting you know, sorry!), and it may end up on my handmade Christmas post as well. Thanks so much - and happy Thanksgiving!

    ReplyDelete
  49. this may be a silly question, but what is a plate cover and where do I pick some up?!?!

    ReplyDelete
  50. A microwave plate cover is something that you use to cover you food in the microwave so that it doesn't splatter everywhere. Like if you're warming up spaghetti or something :o) I got mine at the Dollar Tree, but you can get them at walmart, or any kitchen-y store I think!

    ReplyDelete
  51. I LOVE this idea! I'm going to try it out with a gallon water jug that I keep trying to find something to do with. Then hang it on my porch. I'll put a link to your tutorial though, of course. Since you asked what tutorials you should put on your side bar, I vote this one. If I find any others I'll comment. :)

    ReplyDelete
  52. This is truly darling!

    I didn't get to read the entire tutorial. I just got to the part where you said you wished you had pink tulle.

    I used to work in a flower shop. Typically we only had white, ivory or black tulle in stock for bows. If there was an occasion that another color was needed, we used spray paint to achieve the desired color!

    ReplyDelete
  53. Thanks for the inspiration! I've had this bookmarked for a while and I am in the process of gluing the tulle on right now. I've found that the cutting and gluing is a little time consuming, but it's totally going to be worth it! LOVE IT!!

    ReplyDelete
  54. I cant believe this! You actually make stuff up on your own: RARE!! Keep up the great job! Thanks for sharing with us

    ReplyDelete
  55. Are you kidding me with this? ADORABLE. Found your blog from pancakesandfrenchfries. Love it.

    ReplyDelete
  56. Looks like so much fun!

    I will be making this soon and sharing on my blog.
    http://justlivesimple.blogspot.com/

    ReplyDelete
  57. Merci pour ce magnifique tutoriel.
    Votre blog est une vraie mine d'idée, à très bientôt, bonjour de France.
    Miette

    ReplyDelete
  58. Fun idea. I love cheap lighting projects! I'm linking on 1/23. :)

    Heather

    ReplyDelete
  59. I know this might be a strange question, but I bought all the things to make two of these lamps and I am wondering what kind of glue you used? I NEED advice - I feel like hot glue might make a mess - but other kinds would take too long to dry. Thanks.....Erin

    ReplyDelete
  60. This is totally adorable. I would also like to know what kind of glue you used as well as more detail on how they were formed and attached. Did you just gather at the bottom, soak with glue and press to plate cover. Thanks so much for your inspiration! Stacy

    ReplyDelete
  61. That is so gorgeous. And easy, and thrifty. I got here from the Dollar store crafts blog. Now I can't wait to see what other creative things you've done.

    ReplyDelete
  62. You are a freaking genius! I bow to your crafting expertise!

    ReplyDelete
  63. oh~!
    love it!
    this is soooo cute!!!
    thank you for sharing =D

    ReplyDelete
  64. By far one of my favorite crafts I've seen lately! You have such awesome stuff on here though, it may change in a few minutes! :-) Thanks for sharing! -Ashley

    ReplyDelete
  65. I love this idea! This immediately got me thinking of all those colorful scraps of tulle i have in the work room... little swirls of color? Thanks for a great tutorial!

    ReplyDelete
  66. i love this so much! my night light recently stopped working, and this would be great to replace it with! on top of that, i'm planning on redoing my room in the summer, and this will go nicely with the colors i had in mind. thanks for sharing your ideas! i love reading all your DIY ideas!

    ReplyDelete
  67. What kind of glue did you use? I want to make sure when I make it the glue doesn't melt... thank you!!!

    ReplyDelete
  68. This is just too cute! Will do very soon :D

    ReplyDelete
  69. Is it a fire hazard?

    ReplyDelete
  70. I finally got one made, but I didn't make sure my dollar store had those covers! So I used what they DID have - paper plate holders. There were a few other twists, too... :>) I posted about it here. Thanks so much for the inspiration!

    ReplyDelete
  71. i so want to make these for my room!! all i'm wondering is what glue to use????

    ReplyDelete
  72. HELPPPP!!!! I made 3 lamps - and they are everything you promised and more - so cute! and my 3 year old LOVES them...and then...after being plugged in for about an hour, the glue melted and the lamp started to "wilt" - i took it off the wall - and the lights were SO HOT! So, what specific glue did you use and what specific lights? I haven't given up...but i need some more help. thanks! ps. LOVE your blog. fan-freakin-taskic!

    ReplyDelete
  73. I am ready to do this project, but I am going to wait until we hear back about the glue, since I don't want mine to wilt when they are done.

    ReplyDelete
  74. OK< I need to be a stick in the mud and ask this question. How hot does this get? Is it a fire hazard? I would love to make one for my granddaughter but am worried it would get too hot and catch fire.
    Teresa aka Tess
    tkm1960 (at) cox(dot)net <fill in the parenthesis with the correct characters. I do this to prevent spam.

    ReplyDelete
  75. I love this but plan to make it with a battery-operated push light instead.

    ReplyDelete
  76. This is awesome!!! Thank you for sharing!!

    ReplyDelete
  77. I really like this!!! I do want to know what Tess want's to know too... Is it safe... I was thinking of putting in some vents to let the heat out and then plugging it into a timer so it only stays on like an hour at a time? Or maybe use those LED lights that give off almost no heat...? Thoughts or ideas please...

    ReplyDelete
  78. This is such a cute idea! You should copyright things like this. FYI, someone is ripping off your pictures and ideas: simplyjunehaskell.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  79. some other lady copyrighted this just this week. It's like word for word!

    http://myfreecopyright.com/registered_mcn/BB82M-CX1H5-6ABUF/January_2012/EYSX7-6ESC1-GXWS8

    ReplyDelete
  80. this is so nice and pretty! it almost looks like a delicate dandelion with the wire hanging down. have you tired using coloured tulle? or tried using tissue paper instead? let me know!

    ReplyDelete
  81. I've noticed everyone is asking what kind of glue you used but I haven't seen a response. Would you mind sharing with us? I bought everything I need (including pink tulle!), but I'm afraid hot glue might melt the plate covers. Also, how'd you keep the lights from gathering at the bottom?
    Thanks!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh my goodness, everyone, I am so embarrassed. I cannot believe I have never responded to the glue question!! (This is me being LAME!) I used just regular ol' hot glue, and it worked great. A microwave plate cover is made to withstand some pretty crazy heat, so that works in our favor. :O)
      As far as the falling to the bottom problem, I used enough lights to pretty much fill it up, but if you wanted to use less maybe wrap them around a large square of styrofoam in different directions? I don't know if that would be highly flammable or not though. Just throwing out ideas.

      Delete
  82. No worries! Thanks so much for answering me though. The only reason I asked about the hot glue melting the plastic, is because my stepmother somehow managed to melt hers... it had something to do with a burner on the stove and her absentmindedness.. hehe. I knew hot glue didn't get THAT hot, but I wanted to make sure before I started.

    As annoying as I find it that stores start putting out Christmas decorations before Halloween, I found it even more annoying that I went three places last night to find a string of lights and not one store had them. How dare they not have Christmas lights in August!! Guess I'll be making a run to Hobby Lobby today since I saw last week they've been putting them out since July. Can't wait to make this!

    ReplyDelete
  83. THIS IS SUPERCUTE!!!!!how creative..<>

    ReplyDelete
  84. Hi! Just wanted to say that I loved your tutorial and I used it as inspiration for my own version of this lamp. I wrote a blog about it and linked to your tutorial. Just so you know :)
    Thanks for the inspiration!
    http://www.dreamandmore.com/5/post/2015/01/cheap-diy-tulle-pom-pom-lamp.html

    ReplyDelete
  85. Awesome, can't wait to tryout for my granddaughter!

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Thanks so much for leaving a comment! I just love finding them! Comments on older posts are moderated, so if your comment doesn't show up right away, it will soon! :o)