Thursday, December 3, 2009

Keychain Lamp Project

Steve and I both are serious collectors of stuff. I have been trying to get away from just storing stuff and actually displaying collections (or getting rid of them). I have been collecting keychains for many years and have amassed quite a collection. I had a thought that it might be interesting to make them into a chandelier of some sort but had just been sitting on the idea for awhile.

On a trip to Target, Steve and I came across these lamps significantly on sale.

It’s easy to see why they were on sale. They were pretty darn ugly. But we both saw the potential in the structure and took two of them home.

I started by removing the outer layer of shiny copper discs.

And once the inner layer was removed, I was left with a blank slate.

Using the rings that held the copper discs together as well as Christmas ornament hooks, I strung my collection onto the frames.

For a side-by-side comparison:

The finished lamps:


Of course, as soon as I finished the lamps and was satisfied with them, I found half a dozen more keychains in a box. Oh well. I’ve at least corralled most of them. The lamps now sit on my desk and I am enjoying the admittedly bizarre and eclectic look of them.

Lamps lit up:

6 comments:

Unknown said...

Can we get a picture of the lamps lit up?

Natalie said...

Very odd yet cool at the same time.

Lisa said...

I edited the post to include the lamps lit up. The room was really bright, so it didn't quite work, but you get the idea. They're not ideal for reading by or anything, but they work for a little soft light.

Carolyn Loveridge said...

Great way to display your collection.

Unknown said...

great idea! Sage collects them as well. She keeps adding them to her backpack, but it is getting really loud and heavy...this gives me an idea

Jenjenbug said...

Cool! I saw those lamps in a different color at our Target and am not surprised you got them on clearance! Great idea!