DIY Lampshade Pendant {Budget Friendly}

 Today is a fun DIY post on how to create custom pendant lighting, using a lamp shade and about $5 worth of items from your local home improvement store. (this post contains affiliate links)

 

This all started when my best friend Heather sent me a picture via text asking me if I wanted these lamp shades for $2.99 (for the set)!   Mustard quarter foil Threshold shades from Target.... wrap them up and put them in the cart!  YES! 

In fact the only reason Goodwill had them was because the shipping tags messed up the bar codes, and at this exact time those same lamp shades sat on the shelf in Target for $24.99 EACH!

I ran to my local Home Depot to look for the plug in bulbs that you can use for the paper lanterns, and was told a little secret on how to create this for much less.

Here is what you need.

 

• Indoor extension cord (the length you need to reach your outlet)
• Bulb socket
• Cord switch

 First you will need to cut off the female end of your Indoor extension cord.  Toss this, you will never need it again.

 

Next, split the end of the cord down the center, about an inch or so long.
 

Your Bulb socket  has a twist off top. Take that off and you will find 2 channels with metal prongs where you cord will go.
 

Place your cord into both channels. There is no right or wrong way to do this step.
 

Twist your cap back on tightly and you are done!  You now have a plug in light bulb for about 1/4 of the price you would have paid elsewhere.
 

But who wants to have to plug in their light every time they want to use it?  Not I, so let's move on!

  See below how to properly assemble the bulb and cord.
 

Now its time to add the Cord switch .  Locate the place that you will want the switch to be, and slit only ONE side of the extension cord.
 

Tear back each side about an inch as shown below.
 

You will then carefully need to strip the plastic from with wires.  It works best to use a wire stripper, but if you do not have one, you can very carefully do this with scissors.
 

Unscrew your switch box, and place your cord and wires in as shown.  The wires will be wrapped around the screws. (there are directions in the package on how to do this)
 

And that's it!  Put the cover back on the switch and you are good to go!
 

Here is one of the lights hung next to the bed.
 

And here is my instagram picture I shared when this was finished!  I LOVE the way it lights up my white plank wall.
 

You can't see the cord, but they run down into the corners, and the switches are at the end table height.  Makes bedside reading and blogging much easier when you don't have to climb out of bed to turn off the light.
 

Thank you to my readers for stopping by today.   Don't forget to follow me on Facebook and Pinterest, and you can find me on Instagram and Periscope @OneThriftyChick.

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