Make a cherry blossom lamp

DIY - $50 (Have it done for $450)

Skill - 2/5

Time - 1 day

 

The timber frame of this lamp is made from Tasmanian oak stained black and is designed for a 100 x 100 x 220mm table light. 

 

Panels in traditional Japanese lamps are made with rice paper but plywood is stronger and easy to carve with the cherry blossom motif.

 

Use pale 1.5mm thick AB hoop pine plywood cut to 230mm high to slide between the frame’s uprights.

 

TIP Mark the motif on the panel then carve it with a small rotary tool like the Dremel 8200, $149 (www.dremel.com).

 

The frame is constructed without using fasteners as the parts are secured with half-lap joints and adhesive.

 

Make a jig to mark around three faces of the timber in one action.

 

MAKE THE JIG using 20mm panel pins to secure two 25 x 18 x 18mm timber offcuts to a 250 x 65 x 12mm piece then add a 50 x 18 x 9mm top piece.

 

When the cuts are marked, add a 50 x 18 x 12mm stop piece to the end of the jig to mark the half-lap joints.

 

Sand the frame with 180 grit abrasive paper then use a cloth to apply a black stain, slide in the panels and secure with PVA adhesive then position the lamp in the frame.