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How to Make a Sugar Bead Lamp

When sugared images dance through your head, you either have a sweet tooth or are fond of Victorian sugar lampshades. Sugar shades are not really made of sugar. Instead, tiny glass beads the size of sugar grains are applied over an image on the lampshade. Often these designs are repeated several times on the shade and accented with heavy lace, scalloped trim and beaded fringe. Victorian lamp bases are marked by intricate designs and metallic finishes.

Things You'll Need

  • Lampshade
  • Lamp base
  • Pre-strung bead fringe
  • Decorative scalloped trim
  • Tiny clear glass beads
  • Hot glue gun
  • Tacky glue
  • Glass bead adhesive
  • Fabric markers or stamps
  • Stamp ink pad
  • Fabric dye
  • Foam brush
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Instructions

  1. Sugar Beading a Lampshade

    • 1
      Embellish a plain, square lampshade to create a Victorian sugar beaded reproduction.

      Choose a lampshade in a desired color or dye it. To dye it, follow the instructions on the back of your chosen fabric dye. Popular Victorian hues are shades of violet and pink, burgundy, pale olive green and off-white.

    • 2
      Add traditional Victorian imagery to your lampshade.

      Draw or stamp images onto your lampshade as desired. Traditional Victorian shades have a few large images rather than many small, scattered ones. For an authentic look, find stamps depicting floral designs, cherubs or Victorian women. Use a fabric marker if you wish to add more color to your stamp designs.

    • 3
      A variety of glues are needed to complete this project.

      Paint tacky glue onto your ink images with a foam brush. Carefully paint the glue only within the space where you wish to apply glass beads. A circle or oval shape is a traditional choice.

    • 4

      Apply a glass bead adhesive such as E600 to the tacky glue, and sprinkle your tiny glass beads onto the area. E600 takes 30 minutes to an hour to bond, but it takes 24 hours to cure.

    • 5
      A sugar beaded lamp typically has an abundance of lace or scalloped trim.

      Use a glue gun to adhere decorative scalloped trim around the glass beaded area. This will make the image stand out.

    • 6
      Beaded fringe trim at the bottom of a lampshade gives it an added Victorian era quality.

      Glue the scalloped trim to the top and bottom of your lampshade, or glue pre-strung bead fringe to the bottom for added flair.

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