How to Make an Oyster Lamp

Turn the lamp off and unplug it. Remove dust and surface debris from the body of a table lamp with a soft, dry, clean cloth. Remove the shade from a hanging lamp and place it on a flat working surface before you dust it with a clean, dry, soft cloth.

Sand the vase or body of your table lamp or the glass or metal shade of your hanging lamp gently with fine sandpaper. Wipe the sanded surface with a clean, soft, dry cloth to remove all debris.

File the bottom edges of an oyster shell so that the edges rest flush against the surface of your lamp body or shade. Gently sand the filed edges with light sandpaper to smooth them.

Apply a light, even bead of silicone- or rubber-based craft adhesive to the edges of the bottom opening of the first oyster shell you want to attach to your lamp. Gently press the shell onto the surface of the lamp.

Position another shell so that it rests upside down, with the curved top of the second shell resting directly on the surface of the lamp body or shade and either side of the second shell resting on top of the first shell.

Remove the second shell. Mark a line in the center of the first shell to approximate where the second shell meets it. Apply a thin, even bead of adhesive to the line. Press the second shell very gently onto the first shell, with just enough pressure for the shell to rest on the glue line.

File the bottom edges of another shell to match the contour of the lamp body or shade and slide it under the side of the second shell that is not glued to the first shell. Remove the third shell. Mark a line on the surface of the third shell to approximate where it meets the surface of the second shell. Apply a thin, even bead of adhesive to the line and gently slide the third shell under the second shell.

Repeat the patterns of the first, second and third shells, alternating as necessary so that the inverted top of one shell rests on top of the shell adjacent to it.

Allow the glue to set for the amount of time recommended on the package directions. Spray the completed shell lamp with a gloss or matte acrylic sealant if desired. Allow the sealant about two hours to dry before you touch the surface of the lamp or mount a decorated shade back onto a hanging lamp.