Christmas Decorations
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Star shades with Tissue Paper
 Star
shades
made from tissue paper are both attractive and functional. The soft folds of the
tissue paper filter the harsh glare of electric light and produce a glow that is
warm and pleasing. The use of natural materials and simple frameworks creates
a look both rustic and sophisticated. Star shades make impressive
seasonal decorations.
Naturally since paper will burn, certain
precautions are necessary. Choose only materials tested
and if you have never wired a lamp before, get advice from an electrical supply
store or from a licensed electrician.
The star lamp shade here is
based on a geometrical model of a simple icosahedron, a solid figure with twenty
faces of three sides each. Pyramid star points are glued to the sides of an icosahedrons
cut from two ply Bristol board or heavier paper. Holes are cut in the icosahedrons and covered
with tissue paper. Since the light is filtered through two layers of tissue
paper, the resulting effect is diffuse and glowing.
Pattern for an icosahedron-based
star lampshade. Cut the pattern from two-ply or heavier paper. All
the sides of the triangle should be equal. Say 2.5cm or 5 cm each and so
on.
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Cut out circles
and cover the shape with tissue paper
to filter the light. The figure is then drawn up and glued into its
finished shape. |
To make the pyramids, cut
out quarter circles from dark colour tissue paper and as shown in the
figure, and glue to a second sheet of lighter colour tissue. |
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Glue on
wooden dowels to form three triangles and shape to form a pyramid. Twenty
such pyramids are needed
for a star. Dowels can be bamboo skewers, tooth picks or medical
applicator sticks cut to size. The Pyramid star points are glued at
their bases, to the sides of the icosahedron shape, one pyramid
occupying each triangle. The figure is then drawn up and glued into its
finished shape to make the star shade. One of the
pyramids is left unglued on two sides of its base so that the shape can
be opened to admit a small light. |
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