How to Make a Zen Lamp

Select the design and dimensions you want for your lamp. The most prevalent Zen lamp styles are taller-than-wide rectangular designs of 6 by 12 inches, but they can be sized to suit specific needs, depending on the space where you plan to place the lamp.

Use a T-square and pencil to draw out the dimensions of one of the four side panels on cardboard. Cut it with scissors to produce a one-panel pattern.

Place a sheet of parchment paper on a work surface, design-side down. Lay the side-panel pattern on the parchment paper and lightly trace a pencil line around the pattern. Move the pattern to the right of the outline and allow a 1/4-inch space between the edge of the outline and the edge of the pattern. Trace around the pattern again. Repeat this process two more times, producing a four-panel outlined piece of parchment paper. Use a T-square and straightedge to measure and draw a horizontal line 1/4 inch above the top horizontal line of the outline. Use a straightedge and craft knife to cut along the lines of the 1/4-inch-enlarged outline, producing a single, four-panel piece of parchment paper.

Place the wood square on a solid work surface. Hold one end of a straightened wire coat hanger or steel wire at an outside corner of the wood square. Wrap the wire around the outside edge of the wood square, bending and shaping the corners squarely. When the wire touches the starting point of the wire, use wire cutters to cut the wire at that length. Pull the wire square from the wood square and use the soldering iron to connect the two points of the wire square. Repeat this process to produce a second, identical wire square.

Measure and cut four straight 12-inch pieces of coat hanger or steel wire.

Solder both ends of the four straight wires to the corners of both wire squares, forming a 6-inch-by-6-inch-by-12-inch rectangular frame.

Wrap the rectangular piece of parchment paper around the wire frame, starting and ending at one of the corners. The excess 1/4 inch of paper should extend above the top wire. Trim the excess paper where the ends meet, allowing a half-inch overlap. Remove the paper and wet a half-inch band with super epoxy glue along the inside edge of one end of the parchment paper. Rewrap the paper around the wire frame and overlap the glued edge and the bare edge. Press the overlapped edge firmly for several seconds until the glue holds.

Use scissors to make a tiny cut in the upper, extended corners of the 1/4-inch parchment paper. Glue the inside of the top edges of the four side panels and wrap them around the upper, lateral wires of the frame.

Slide the four-sided, framed parchment shade down over the wood square. Place a small, battery-operated light on the inside surface of the wood square.