DIY Clear Glass Lamp

Sooo...Pregnancy took the domesticity out of me real quick. Actually that's not true, it took the "crafting" part out of me. I was all about cleaning, cleaning, and more cleaning. I was super O.C.D. about it- I would re-clean something that I had just deep cleaned the day before. I had this feeling throughout most of my pregnancy that I had to be prepared in case he came early... and of course he was a week late. Well now that he is here, and we have settled into each other a bit- I'M BACK- and it feels great. I have a million projects started around the house, and not too many are finished. Here is one that is:

I have seen clear glass lamps all over the place and LOVE LOVE LOVE them, but I don't love the hefty price tag that comes along with them. Why in the world are lamps so expensive anyways?!?!??! I don't get it.

Let me back up a minute... During my middle of the night feedings I usually google ideas that pop in my head, and end up browsing through blogs of course (on my phone- one handed). It keeps me awake so I don't fall asleep and drop Liam. Well I have no idea how I came across it (blame the drowsiness for my lack of memory) but I found this blog called Triangle Honeymoon and their post about a DIY clear glass lamp inspired by Crate & Barrel's Zak lamp that costs $229!

 Crate & Barrel

They made one themselves....so why couldn't I?

Here are the supplies I used:

• Large clear glass vase- Home Goods $12.99
• Lamp kit from Lowes $10
• White drum shade from Target $14.99
• Drill bit for glass and tile from Lowes about $8 
• Gorilla glue -already had. 

I turned the vase upside down and started drilling a hole in the middle of the bottom of the vase (soon to be the TOP of my lamp base). Ryan saw me doing this and decided it looked fun and wanted to take over... be my guest! So actually RYAN drilled the hole with lots of input (aka nagging) from me. Keep the area wet- thats what google said... dont go to fast it will crack... slow down.... don't put too much pressure on it. I'm sure I was a little bit annoying. =)   It came out perfect and it was a good inch thick of glass on top.
Once the top hole was drilled, he drilled one on the side, closer to the opening of the vase. This is where the cord would come.

 I stuck the wire through the side hole, then slid on the white rubber end cap, then stuck the end through the hole on the bottom of the vase (top of the lamp).

Once the wire is through the top hole, attach the rest of the lamp kit in the order that the instructions (that come with the kit) say. I would go over them, but its pretty self explanatory.

 This is where I added some Gorilla Glue. I put a bit of glue on the screw and on the bottom of the metal piece (technical term), to make sure it didn't twist around.

And here is the finished lamp, sitting in my living room....

I have been working on a gallery wall behind my couch, s o excuse the empty (or store photos) frames I finally got all of the frames up, but haven't finished putting art inside them yet. More on that later.

Since there is so much going on on the wall I really wanted an understated lamp that wouldn't be "too much" in front of all those frames. This is perfect!