Patterns for Making Ceiling Light Shades

Stained Glass Ceiling Light Shade

• Craft stores are the epicenter of templates and patterns, so channel your adventurous side when you set about finding the right pattern for your new shade. Make an inexpensive vintage shade of stained glass, but before you panic and start fretting about Band-aids and sharp implements, ask a store clerk to show you stained glass kits that include the pattern, leading liquid and color stains. Follow the pattern to lay down a ribbon of leading on a plain glass globe, pour color into sections and, voila -- the right pattern can turn you into a latter day Louis Tiffany.

Tin Ceiling Light Shade

• Design your own tin ceiling light pattern using a computer or a pad and paper. Use your existing ceiling light as a starting point. Outline the shape and then trace any pattern you like – from those made for needlepoint projects to woodcraft silhouettes that come in all sorts of shapes – on the paper. Tape down the tin so it doesn’t budge. Position your paper pattern over the shade and tape it down, too. Grab a hammer and an ice pick or another pointed tool and hammer uniform holes along the lines of your pattern so when you rip off the template and mount the shade, light will shine through the holes and flood your room with shapes replicating the pattern.

Cloth Ceiling Light Shade

• Re-purpose a ravaged child’s drum, a ripped lampshade or another wire frame that’s suitable for hanging from the ceiling. Dip the fabric into starch and pull it over the frame or pin it to the armature and spray the fabric. Once the fabric dries, it will be taut and you can begin to decorate it. Your room is your guide: Imagine a merry-go-round of animals running around the shade or choose other patterns and templates that allow you to transfer line art to the fabric shade. Alternately, use a pattern to outline shapes and glue faux bling to a shade targeted for your teen’s ceiling light. Your original shade makes fun work of an item that was headed for a landfill, too.

Found Object Light Shade

• It’s a colander. No, it’s a ceiling light shade – with modifications. Turn an old colander or found metal object into a ceiling light shade using metal paints and imagination. Delight your automobile enthusiast by tracing car-shaped patterns around the outside of a colander before choosing enamel colors that match the room décor. If the car silhouettes are too big, no worries. Shrink down the patterns on a copy machine and output the autos on acetate sheets rather than paper. Cut out the auto shapes with a craft knife, paint the shade and satisfy your car lover’s need for speed now that you've satisfied your need to make something unique.