Lampshade Safety

• Lampshades must be functional and beautiful. Embellish an existing shade instead of creating one from scratch so that you meet flammability requirements. Make sure that any additions to the lampshade don't touch the light bulb. You'll need to use a low-watt bulb under a homemade lampshade for safety. The Home and Garden Television website suggests using a 25- to 40-watt bulb for crafted lampshades.
  
  

Fabric and Ribbon Crafts

• Fabric or ribbon can quickly customize a lampshade. This allows you to bring the curtain or furniture fabric onto accessories. An entire shade can look like you made it out of ribbon for a pleated effect. Wrap the ribbon vertically around the shade so it overlaps. Fabric tape on the end of each ribbon strip will keep it in place.
  
  Decorate a plain lampshade with a few yards of ribbon. Vary the colors and sizes for interest and place a few ribbons evenly spaced at both the top and bottom of the shade. Add pattern to a lampshade with fabric. Measure the lampshade by rolling it on the wrong side of the fabric and tracing the arc of both sides. Leave extra fabric on both sides to create a clean edge. Apply the fabric with spray glue. Make a trim from a coordinating fabric and fold it over the edges of the shade. For a fuller look try sewing a lampshade slipcover. Sew elastic into the top of the shade and hem the bottom. This allows you to easily take off the cover and reinvent the lampshade for different holidays or seasons.
  
  White shades will cast a brighter light. You may just want to add embellishments to an existing shade for a custom look that still lights up the room. A hot glue gun can add embellishments to a fabric covered shade. Add dried hydrangeas around the base of a shade for a garden room or nursery. Fabric stores carry seashell and bead trim that will add more texture to your project.
  
  

Paint Crafts

• Stencils allow you to customize a lampshade regardless of your artistic expertise. Home maven Martha Stewart recommends painting on book cloth. Affix the book cloth to the outside of an existing lampshade. Book cloth won't buckle under the painting project. Use circles for a modern lampshade. Place the dots around the edge of the shade or all over. Dab a sponge on a paper towel before you apply the paint to prevent paint globs. Apply several light coats of paint in various colors like white or blue for a tonal effect. You can also stencil a monogram on a shade for a traditional or elegant lamp. Affix the finished painting to the shade with craft spray glue. Clothespins will hold the paper in place while it dries. Finish the edges by applying seam binding.