I turned a tiny teapot into a lamp in minutes without cutting, gluing or electrical wiring.
Here's my quick and easy tutorial that won't damage your teapot in any way at all.
Well hello friends and Happy July!
My oh my, is it hot outside!
My oh my, is it hot outside!
I've been spending tons of time poolside, enjoying my favorite season.
However, I've also been crafting in the AC when the heat gets to be too much.
And today, I have such a fun DIY to share.
Have you seen those teapot lamps that are suddenly all the rage?
I spotted one in Homegoods months ago and immediately decided I needed to have one.
Unfortunately, the one on the shelf wasn't the right color...plus it was a little pricey.
So in true Kim fashion, I decided I'd make my own.
I had plenty of teapots hanging around, I just needed to figure out the wiring situation.
Which turned out to be a problem. You see wiring up a lamp would require me to cut the teapot in two places.
On the bottom, so the cord could come out and on the top of the lid, so the center pole that holds all the wires and the bulb, could poke out the top.
Um. No. I wasn't cutting any of my pots. However, not one to be deterred, I decided that I'd just go and buy another at the thrift store - one I was less emotionally attached to - to cut up.
Again, I ran into issues.
Most teapots I found were the wrong color and making them over, like I did with my sticker lamp, wasn't going work.
Or worse, they had tops that couldn't be cut easily. Some had curled or looped handles and some were very ornate. None of which would come clean off.
Beside the fact that cutting ceramic/ pottery always comes with the risk (and in my case, the definite probability) that it would crack.
Seriously frustrated by all of these facts, I abandoned my idea. Well, not completely. You see, I kept the yellow post it reminding me about that teapot lamp, because I really wanted one.
So last week, I tried again. Although this time, I decided to use a battery operated bulb, like I did when I gave my gorgeous, thrifted, antique lamp a cordless makeover.
How To Make The Easiest Teapot Lamp
I made my teapot lamp without any permanent changes to the teapot itself. This lamp can be made and then undone in a jiffy, if you want your teapot back.
Supplies I used:
- Teapot - how darling is this one?
- Battery operated bulb - I use these
- Lampshade
- Paper towel roll - or something to support the bulb
- Paint
- Sealer
- Brushes
- Scissors
The simple steps:
Ok, so I basically constructed a support out of a paper towel roll, for the bulb, an plopped in into the teapot.
It worked out really, really well. However, if you want something sturdier, you can use anything that is the right height and shape, and fits inside the pot. I didn't have anything that worked, so I made my own.
1. Cut the paper towel roll.
I started by cutting the paper towel roll to the proper height. To do this, I placed the lampshade on the bulb, held it where I thought it looked best, measured it and then cut.
2. Paint the roll.
Of course, I wanted the cardboard roll to look like it was ceramic. So I painted it to match the pot.
3. Add shine.
To add some "ceramic" shine, I gave the paper towel roll a coat of glossy sealer.
4. Place roll and bulb inside.
I placed the cardboard roll in the teapot, put the bulb inside the roll. It balanced perfectly, since the roll had a wide base.
5. Add a lampshade.
I had several small lampshades in my collection. I simply chose one that I felt looked best...naturally one was red. Big surprise.
That's it. Instant DIY teapot lamp.
One that goes on and off with a timer and looks super charming in my 1920's cottage.
I can move it around from room to room without worrying about messy cords.
Swap lampshades and take it apart when I want my plain old teapot back.
But best of all, I can finally take that ugly, yellow post it off my wall.
😉
How fabulous.
Would you make a teapot lamp?
That is very clever. I do have a wired teapot lamp that I Iove but this idea may come in handy. I actually purchased a wireless light bulb after seeing it on your blog a while back. Amazing little invention - and I actually saw where someone used them in a black out which I had never thought of!!
ReplyDeleteOh Barb, I'm jealous of your lamp! I really loved the one I saw in the store, but it wasn't the right color. I'm glad to hear you love your wireless bulbs! They're my favorite. In my bedroom, it pops on and off like clockwork giving off just the right amount of light in the evenings. Thanks for letting me know it was a happy find for you!! ☺️
DeleteLove this idea! Perfect for kitchen counter! I’ve never used the wireless bulbs before, but ordered two recently. Going to put a larger lamp on covered pergola, and now I can use the other bulb for this sweet little teapot lamp! I have a plain red teapot that I’m going to use, and like you, red is my favorite hue to use for splashes of color in the whole house, lol!
ReplyDeleteWoot! Julie, it's always fun to meet another red lover! ❤️ Those bulbs are great, aren't they? We have a covered, screened in porch and the outlets are in an awkward place, so we rely on battery candles and bulbs out there, too. If you do make a little red teapot lamp with the other, I hope you'll let me know!!
DeleteOh my goodness!! How cute is that? And this is one DIY that even I could accomplish!! 😉
ReplyDeleteYes! You could totally do this! If you have a piece that pops in the teapot, then it's even easier...nothing to make at all.
DeleteKim, I love your little teapot lamp. I also love that there are not cords to plug in and you can put it anywhere in your home. Enjoy your little teapot lamp.
ReplyDeleteI hope you stay cool and have a wonderful 4th of July!
Thanks Julie! The fact that it's cordless is a huge plus for me, too. I hope you have a lovely July 4th and stay cool. It's brutal out there!!
DeleteLove it Kim and it goes so well in your decor. Love those battery operated bulbs. I hate seeing cords all over the place. Have a great rest of the week. Stay Cool and Happy 4th. Hugs. Kris
ReplyDeleteThanks Kris! It’s such a cute little addition and the fact that I can easily turn it back into a plain teapot when I get bored of it (because that never happens…hahahaha!) is just the icing on the crafty cake!! I hope you are spending this weekend pool hopping through all the red, white and blue celebrations! It’s a hot one for sure!!
DeleteKim, you are amazing. Brilliant, beautiful and creative.
ReplyDeleteThank you and right back at you, Linda!! 🌺
DeleteAbsolutely.... is there anything YOU cannot do!!! I love it. Genius!
ReplyDeleteI’m blushing over here- and thank you, but you give me way too much credit, Chrissy! This one was super simple I swear!!
DeleteThat is really cute!
ReplyDeleteThanks Joanne!! It was a fun craft for a hot summer day.
DeleteI bet a ginger jar could be used for the lamp also, but the teapot is adorable!
ReplyDeleteYes! Great idea. That would be a classic look and an economical way to make a one, since ginger jar lamps are so expensive today. Thanks for sharing and thanks for your sweet comment about the teapot!
DeleteOh my word, Kim, that is the cutest teapot lamp! I need one and thank you for your clever tutorial Yea for the yellow post it note that you got to take down.
ReplyDeleteHappy 250th Birthday celebration of our USA! ❤️🇺🇸💙
Thanks Kitty! I really didn't want to ruin a perfectly good tea pot. I knew you'd get it!! And yes, Happy 250th!! Woot!
DeleteSo cute!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much, Deanna! I had fun with this one.
DeleteI do love a teapot lamp! And roosters of which I have both on my sink counter. I didn’t make mine I bought it many years ago. Our daughter lived in Sicily a few years and the rooster is a symbol of Sicily going back to around 550 BC. So she and I both have thing for roosters and own many beautiful examples. Also we both have kitchens where red is the featured color. She even uses only red for all her countertop appliances in her dark brown kitchen and my all white kitchen has red backsplash tiles And trim. I love to paint roosters too and getting ready to paint them on some clay pots I have. How do you recharge or change the lightbulb battery? Pamela
ReplyDeleteThat's so funny, Pamela, I LOVE roosters and I'm Sicilian!! Who knew? It must be a genetic thing for me! 😉 Of course, you know that red is my favorite, as well. There's something about that pop that just makes me smile. How interesting that your daughter lived in Sicily. That sounds fantastic. Did you visit often? The bulbs come with a charger, so you do have to remove them to juice them up, because the cord isn't very long. Hope that helps!!
DeleteSo sweet, Kim. I always worry about drilling into ceramic or glass too, and battery bulbs make crafting things like this much easier. Stay cool, my friend!
ReplyDeleteAnn, you know personally what a challenge and risk it is to drill into pottery. This was a much easier solution! Happy Weekend!!
DeleteI love this. I am pinning.
ReplyDeleteThank you for the great tutorial.
I think a teapot lamp would look so cute in your house!
DeleteOh Kim, this speaks my language! I just love it! You come up with the best ideas!!! I like your post-it note idea too. Sometimes I go in a thrift store and get preoccupied looking at other things and forget the project I had in mind, lol! The lamp is just adorable, and I really love the teapot too! Love this :) Have a blessed 4th of July!
ReplyDeleteThis would look so cute in your garden, Marilyn. It could be a lantern for an evening tea party with your friends or your sweet grands someday! I hope you have a wonderful weekend!
DeleteUmm, you have a lampshade collection? :-) This is BRILLIANT!! I just got some of those light bulbs just in case of a power outage. Now I can put them to good use, I have so many lovely teapots that just hang out in the cabinet. I love this so much, and so simple. Kim, you are a genius. I am now imagining changing them for the seasons. Hmmm. I think I need a Halloween teapot. I'm off in search of small lampshades. Happy Fourth of July!
ReplyDeleteHaha! I do, Pattie! Lampshades of all shapes and sizes. I’m addicted. I bet you could set a mean table with one of these as your centerpiece! I can’t wait to see what you have up your creative sleeve and thank you for the super kind comment. You’re making me blush over here! ☺️
DeleteThis is super cute ad creative and YES I would make one...if I had a teapot. But now I'm wondering if I could use something else? I see tiny lampshades in the thrift store a lot lately!
ReplyDeleteThanks Gina and yes, you could totally use another container and get the same look. Someone suggested a ginger jar. I bet you could do it with an old cookie jar or even the right planter. That would look adorable on your lovely patio as a lantern!
DeleteVery ingenious, Kim! You are a determined girl! I'm so glad you got the teapot lamp you wanted without having to damage the actual teapot. I'm picturing you making them to have all over the house now! 😄
ReplyDeleteThanks Kim!! I had fun with this one and yes, I wouldn't be surprised if there was one in every room. I'm sure my husband would love one on his desk! Haha!!
DeleteThis teapot lamp idea is so charming! I love how you turned something vintage into a modern piece.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much! I love turning vintage pieces into unique decor accessories.
DeleteThis turned out so cute! I might just make one if I found the right teapot!
ReplyDeleteWith your thrifting talents, I bet you could find a perfect teapot to fit your home! And thanks!!
DeleteHow cute is that teapot lamp?! I love this idea and now you have thinking of making one for my kitchen counter. Thank you for this inspiration!
ReplyDeleteThanks Sherry! You're so sweet...and if you do make one, you'll have to let me know!!
DeleteHi, Kim. Thank you for visiting Life Captured.
ReplyDeleteI am not a DIYer. However, this I could do. Personally, I like the red lamp shade best on the teapot. I'm going to search for those battery operated bulbs. Possibly make a couple Christmas gifts!
All the best.
Debra @ Life Captured
You could totally do this, Debra! I love an easy DIY and beginner crafts are my specialty. You should check out the bulbs, they really open up a lot of creative doors!! Thanks for the visit!
DeleteKim, this turned out so lovely. We're so happy you shared it with us at The Crazy Little Lovebirds link party. :)
ReplyDeleteThanks for popping by, Stephanie!
DeleteWow! It's so simple and it turned out so great. No, I haven't seen teapot lamps in stores, but I haven't been out much. I do love this look though.
ReplyDeleteThis is lovely! And with your signature whimsical red-and-white. How nice that you have a signature.
ReplyDeleteAmalia
xo
Kim this is so unique and creative! I love the chickens.
ReplyDeleteVisiting today from Talking About It Tuesday.