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How to make a Hanji lamp .....

I had a query this week from someone who doesn't live in Korea anymore but he's wanting to know how to make this lamp. So in case anyone else was wondering, it's quite a simple process which I will share with you.

  1. Get a piece of perspex, or a very sturdy plastic sheet around 2 - 3mm thick and cut into 4 equal sizes, depending on the size of the lamp you want to make.
  2. Glue the sides together with an instant glue to make a perfect square and being careful not to get the glue outside of the joins or on your fingers.
  3. Paper the perspex using one whole piece to minimize the joins in the paper.
  4. Leave to dry.
  5. Cut a base out of 3mm thick cardboard so the sides fit into it and it has a small plinth. (Don't forget to put the hole in the base for the electrical fittings).
  6. Cut small strips of cardboard for around the outside. One with a hole in it for the electric cord to come out of.
  7. Cover the strips of cardboard with different coloured papers.
  8. Glue the strips onto the base as shown ensuring all the cardboard is covered.
  9. Cut a top out of either cardboard or perspex with a large enough hole, or square in the top to be able to get your hand in and change the light bulb.
  10.  Glue it to the top of the lamp.
  11. Paper the top.
  12. Finish off with strips of paper around the join at the top.
  13. Varnish.


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