How to Make a Birdcage Lampshade

Select a birdcage that is large enough to fit over the support posts at the top of the lamp. The cage should be big enough to slip over the bulb, but not so large or bulky that it tips the lamp over.

Cut the solid bottom off the cage with a pair of heavy wire cutters. Set the cage down on a flat surface and cut each wire just above the upper edge of the base. Discard the bottom of the cage.

Remove the hanger from the top of the cage. Grasp the top of the hanger in one hand and twist it firmly to unscrew it from the cage. This leaves a small opening at the top to screw on the lamp finial.

Drape a piece of fabric over the top of the cage and trim it to size. Trim the fabric 1 inch larger along the top and bottom edge and 2 inches longer to allow for folding as you complete the shade.

Run a line of fabric glue along the wires at the top of the cage and press the fabric onto the glue. Fold the extra inch of fabric at the upper edge down through the hole in the top of the cage for a neat appearance. Glue this excess fabric down along the inside of the cage.

Add a line of glue all the way down each wire and glue the fabric along the entire length of the cage. Hold it firmly against the wire for 60 seconds until the glue sets up. Pull the fabric gently from wire to wire to keep the fabric taut and prevent wrinkles in the lampshade.

Fold over the excess fabric at the bottom and glue it along the wires inside the cage. Set the shade in a warm spot for at least 24 hours to give the glue plenty of time to dry.

Slide the shade over the top of the lamp and screw it down with the finial.