Upcycle Project 2020: Initial Progress

When I started brainstorming on aesthetics and concepts for this project, I had a few ideas come to mind. Namely, I thought of using wine corks to create a koozie, broom bristles and rubber bands to make a pencil holder, a wine rack made from old cans, and plastic spoons and plastic bottles to make a lamp. Refer to my Upcycle Inspiration 2020 post for more details.

I narrowed my ideas down to two: the koozie or the lamp shade concept. Because I would like to make something that I will be able to use after this class, I’ve decided to go with the lamp shade idea. The idea is that a plastic bottle is used as the main structure, and the plastic spoons are hot glued onto the bottle, overlaid in a certain manner to give an interesting look. When the light shines through, it refracts and reflects through the plastic materials, giving a cool glow and gradient of color. Here are a few photos of what I am going for:

This one has a flower aesthetic to it[1]
This one reminds me of a Chihuly piece I would see in a botanical garden (like the one below)[2]
Dale Chihuly piece in Denver[3]
This one resembles a pineapple[4]

I am not sure exactly what shape or size I want to make yet, but I want it to be small enough to be a desk lamp. I really like the 2nd photo with the botanical garden aesthetic and how the creator left the stem of the spoon on to give it a “spikey” look. I recently went to a botanical gardens light show that featured a bunch of Chihuly glass sculptures and really appreciated the aesthetic. I am fascinated by blown glass works especially the funky shapes Chihuly incorporates. I have also been thinking about using a bottle in the shape of a fish and the spoons to represent the scales, but I don’t know if I want a fish lamp necessarily. The color of the light can be changed along with the color of the plastic spoons to give a different look.

Moving forward, I need to decide on the shape and size of the water bottle, what color spoons I have available to me, and how to mount the light inside of it. I will be making two of these (maybe one with white spoons, one with black spoons) because my lamp fixture has ports for two bulbs. I already have the lamp fixture and bulbs, but I am in the process of collecting spoons. Please let me know if you know of a good place to get plastic spoons or have any laying around. Also, reply and let me know if you have any other suggestions for me.

[1] DIY Plastic Spoon Lamp | Easy Step By Step. Accessed February 3, 2020. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YcB7CIHVKP4.

[2] “DIY Pendant Shades.” Accessed February 3, 2020. https://www.bltdirect.com/10-diy-light-fixture-ideas-to-brighten-up-any-space.

[3] Denver Botanic Gardens. “Chihuly,” August 12, 2015. https://www.botanicgardens.org/exhibits/chihuly.

[4] “How To Make A Pineapple Spoon Lamp.” Accessed February 3, 2020. https://diyprojectsforteens.com/how-to-make-a-pineapple-spoon-lamp/.

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4 Comments. Leave new

  • The idea of using the spoons is very impressive. Would love to know how the koozie idea would have come out tho. Looking forward to the lamp, the pattern on it looks very unique and eye-catching. Great work, hoping for an excellent product at the end.

    Reply
    • Thanks, Sarthak! I figured the lamp was a little more involved and it was something I would use after this class, so I decided to go after that concept.

      Reply
  • Danny-

    Disappointed you didn’t go with the koozie idea, but this idea looks great as well. The spoon pattern almost looks like the scales of a dragon egg, like one from Game of Thrones. I don’t know if you like that series, but that could be a very cool aesthetic, if you wanted to do something besides the fish lamp. But the fish lamp sounds very interesting as well, looking forward to seeing it.

    Reply
    • Yes, I love GoT. This is a really good idea. I hadn’t thought of it. Thanks for the suggestions. I have already built my lamps, but this is definitely an idea I will keep for a future project. Thanks, Will!

      Reply

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