Host Kathi Cardinalli demonstrates how to create a fabulous copper lampshade with a hammered-beaten finish.
Materials:
round-wire lampshade
sheet of copper (weight of flashing, not tooling foil, from roofing supply)
china marker
gloves
tin snips
soft towel
hammer
sandpaper
tape
black wrought-iron or natural wooden lamp base
Steps:
- Use a wire lampshade base as a pattern to make the lampshade shape by laying the shade on its side, centered on top of a sheet of copper.
- Roll the shade, marking lines with a china marker (figure A) along the top and bottom of the shade onto the copper to create and arch that will fit over the form, adding one inch where the seam meets at the back to overlap.
- Add 1/4 inch to the top and bottom edges of the shade drawn on the copper sheet.
- Wear gloves and use tin snips to cut out the shade shape (figure B).
- Place the shade shape on a soft towel and use a hammer to lightly beat or dent the surface (figure C). Go over the surface lightly with sandpaper (figure D).
- Re-fit the shape over the wire shade and adjust it to fit. You may need to re-cut somewhat, as hammering will reshape the form.
- Using tin snips, cut at regular intervals along the top curve of the copper shade shape. Cut into the edge 1/4-inch along the curve.
- Fit over the lamp wire form and overlap the back seam. Secure with a piece of tape.
- Bend the cut edge under to the inside of the shade around the wire. Press to secure. The shade will now hang from this edge.
- Cut along the bottom curved edge of the shade and bend to inside around wire (figure E).
- Remove tape. Wrapped edges will hold shade firmly to form.
- Place over the base.
Tips
- Be sure to use safety goggles when hammering onto copper.
- You can add a punched trim to the top or bottom edge if desired.
- Another option is to patina with a patinating fluid to age the surface.
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