How to Turn a Wicker Cloche Into a Lamp

Crafts· Decor & DIY· DIY Projects & Tutorials

If you saw my Valentine’s Vignette post, then you already know that I’ve developed a fondness for cloches.

On our last group outing to Jeremy’s, I picked up this wicker beauty even though I didn’t know how I was going to use it at the time.

As much as I adore it, I never could figure out how to work it into a vignette of any kind. I mean – you can’t exactly display anything under it and its large size overpowered anything that I tried to pair it with.

Then! I had a lightbulb moment! It would make a great lamp base and the texture and color of it would work well in my basement redo. And all I had to do was run up to Lowes and pick up a lamp kit – right?

Ummm…no. Silly me. You need these parts too!

And then after two trips to Lowes, you realize that you also have to make a trip to the lamp store to pick up these specialty parts.

And then you get to make a trip back to the lamp store to pick up the piece of electric cord that you accidentally left there. Sheesh!

Anyway – back to the how-to.

The part that I was the most afraid of was actually cutting a hole in the wicker to run the threaded pipe through. I had visions of the wicker coming all apart, but I was very careful and had no problems.

First, I positioned the pipe where I wanted it to be and then drew around it with a Sharpie. Using nippers and a pair of tin snips, I snipped away at the wicker from both the top and under side of the cloche.

Here’s how the threaded tube looks in place from the top and from the under side.

Now for the actual assembly.

Here’s where Pookie stepped in and became my hand model. HaHa! I kid. He did the work while I snapped the pics.

Step #1

Add a large washer, a lock nut and a lock washer to the threaded pipe.

This will go on the under side of the cloche. Since I was using wicker for the base, I needed something like a large washer to provide stability for the lamp parts.

Sorry for the blurry pic.

Step #2

Insert the electric cord through the threaded pipe.

Step #3

Insert the threaded pipe through the hole that was cut into the wicker from the bottom side. This is what it will look like.

Step #4

Add another lock washer and lock nut to the top side and tighten everything up.

Step #5

Add the check rings and hollow tube that is used to cover the threaded tubing. {A check ring is simply a washer with sides that holds the decorative tube in place. You need one on the bottom of the tube and one on the top.}

I chose to spray paint the decorative tube and check rings with bronze paint instead of leaving the bright brass finish.

Attach the U-shaped bracket that holds the harp in place.

Step #6

Pull the light socket apart so that you can attach the wires from the cord to the posts. Reassemble the socket after the wires have been attached.

Make sure to follow the manufacturer’s directions for attaching the electric cord.

Step #7

Add the harp, the shade, the finial and voila!

Can I just say that I love, love, love how it turned out!

It looks just as perfect as I thought it would in its new home.

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Comments

Sherry @ Thrift My House says

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I love it too Suzy! You did an awesome job and you made it look so easy. So pretty sitting there in your vignette 🙂

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Stacey says

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That is awesome!! I can see how it wouldn’t really work as a cloche so you made it better. 🙂 You made it look easy too.

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Cynthia says

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This was a great idea and I love the texture of the base with the shade. Just beautiful.

Cynthia

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Savvy Seasons says

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What a great idea. I saw something similar recently, but I like yours better. I love the shade, too! Thanks for sharing, I may have to attempt this idea! XOXO ~Liz

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Shirley@Housepitality Designs says

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Love, love it Suzy!!…great job…..so nice to be able to share a project with Mr. Worthing!…it turned out beautiful!

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Laurie Ritchey says

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Suzy, this is just brilliant. What a great looking lamp, and such a pretty vignette and tablecloth you have with it! laurie

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Carol says

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That is so adorable, Suzy! I think that’s a much better way to use it.

Carol

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Designs By Pinky says

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LOVE, love, love it!!!!!!!!!! I have fallen in love with cloches too, and this is fabulous. Can’t wait to see the rest. XO, pinky

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Yvonne @ StoneGable says

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Suzy, I love this! I can’t wait to make one of my own. Thanks for the great tutorial. I hope you will share it at TUTORIALS TIPS AND TIDBITS. Link goes live Wednesday at 8:00 pm. This is a project everyone will love!

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Babs says

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I LOVE it! Now you can use the wicker cloche all the time instead of sometimes, Great look and tutorial. Gotta show this to my husband. He’s handy with doing “lamp things”..rewiring,etc.

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Carol Z says

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This looks fabulous. Thanks for all the pictures. You make me think I could really do this.

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Kim @ Savvy Southern Style says

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So cute and you sound like me making a gazillion trips.

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Laura Janning says

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Brilliance !! I just love this project. including in my weekly wow’s on Saturday!! Laura

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Wendy's World says

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So pretty. I think you’ll enjoy it for a long time. I’m going to be on the look-out for a wicker cloche.

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Zuni, Chickadee Home Nest says

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I agree–it turned out GREAT!! And thanks so much for the tutorial. I’ve been thinking about making a lamp and this gives me the go-ahead! ~Zuni

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marty (A Stroll Thru Life) says

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This is such a great idea. Love your tutorial. Thanks for joining TTT. Hugs, Marty

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Christine Vandormolen says

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wow, what a masterpiece…love it, pinned it

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On Crooked Creek says

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Suzy,
Amazing use of your wicker cloche!
Had to giggle at all the trips to get parts…sounds too, too, familiar! 🙂
Great tutorial!!!
I’ll visit again soon, to see it’s new home!!!
Fondly,
Pat

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karen@somewhatquirky says

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The lamp looks great! Nice use of the cloche. I’m not sure I would have known what to do with it either…

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Inspire Me Heather says

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What a fantastic idea! I have 2 of those wicker cloches too – hmmmmmm, thanks!

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Judy K says

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What a great idea. I will be featuring this tonight at my Winter Blues Wednesday party that opens at 8pm EST. Please stop by and pick up an I’ve Been Featured button. Thanks.

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SavannahGranny says

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Awesome lamp. Like I said, you are so creative. xo Ginger

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CreativaCale says

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Great,great ,great post.I need this instruction.Thanks!May I put this post and your link on my blog?

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