How to Make a Canvas Lamp

Canvas is a sturdy, hard-wearing fabric often used for drop cloths and work clothes. It takes paint and dye well, often serving as the base for painted portraits. However, canvas frames can become more than simple wall art. You can also use them as lighting. These flat, canvas lamps coordinate with your décor during the day and offer diffused, glowing light in the evenings. They're perfect for a night of relaxing. You can even use them as original night lights.

Canvas frame (unprimed)
Stencils (letters, filigree designs, birds, etc.)
Painters tape
Spray paint
Parchment paper
Glue dots
Twinkle lights
Staple gun
Nail or picture hook
Extension cord

Instructions

- 1
  Lay the canvas frame on a flat, sturdy surface. Arrange your stencils on top of the canvas. Stencil choices could include complex filigree designs, simple bonsai trees, birds or lettered messages, such as "Welcome to Our Home." Secure the stencils with painters tape.
- 2
  Hold a can of spray paint about 6 inches from the canvas and spray, moving the can constantly. You may choose any color you like, except white or cream. These colors will blend too much with the natural hue of the canvas. Allow the paint to dry overnight.
- 3
  Turn the canvas over and place a glue dot in each corner of the frame. Press a piece of parchment paper into place. The paper will help diffuse the light and make it look more even.
- 4
  Staple a string of twinkle lights along the inside of the left edge of the back of the canvas frame. Staple about 1.5 inches of the light string along the bottom of the frame and bring the lights up to the top of the frame. Staple 1.5 inches of the lights to the top of the frame and bring them back to the bottom.
- 5
  Continue zigzagging the lights over the back of the frame until you run out of lights. The switch and plug for the lights should hang down from the bottom of the frame.
- 6
  Hang the frame from a nail or picture hook and plug the lights into an extension cord. Plug in the extension cord and flip on the lights to see your canvas lamp glow.

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