Instructions to Make an Antler Lamp

Wash any dirt away from the antlers with soap and a scrub brush. Allow to dry.

Coat the antlers with polyurethane using a foam brush. Allow to dry. Add one or more coats as desired.

Arrange and lock the antlers together so that the they will stand together on a tabletop. Each antler has a unique shape, so try different arrangements to get the antlers into a position so that they lock together (picture two males locking horns in a fight) and can stand steady when you rest them on a table top. Also, be sure to arrange the antlers so that a lampshade can rest on top. Bend several lengths of wire around the locked antlers to hold them in place temporarily.

Find a wide spot on an antler that is somewhat perpendicular to the table top. Look for a spot about 3/4 of the way up on the locked antlers. On this spot, drill a hole through both sides of the antler that is wide enough for the light socket to fit into.

Pass the light socket cord through the hole and put the socket into the drilled hole. Using your fingers, pack sculpting clay around the socket and the antler hole to hold the socket in place. Allow to dry.

Remove one of the wires holding the antlers together and add flux between the antlers with a cotton swab. Place a piece of solder and solder it in place with a soldering gun. Repeat for all the places where you want the antlers joined together.

Place double-sided tape on the light cord and affix it to the antlers. Start at the point where the cord comes out of the light socket and position it along the back side of the antlers until you reach the table top, concealing the cord from front view and side view as much as possible.

Screw in a light bulb. Set the shade on top of one of the antlers, resting evenly over the top of the bulb.