DIY Globe Light Fixture Cover
After I completed the wall mounted-pallet shelf, I updated some of the light fixtures including the one in the sitting room…
Allen + Roth Edison Oil Rubbed Bronze
However, the glass on this specific light is very thin and it cracked during the final stages of assembly, just by screwing in the light bulb. The crack was located in such a way that it wasn’t safe. I feared the entire glass piece was going to come crashing down.
So, one rainy day, I gathered some supplies from around the house and created a new cover? fixture? globe? well, northern hemisphere at least.
Here is what I did:
Materials:
- LOW WATTAGE light bulb
- old globe (I have an addiction. I can’t pass up a globe at the thrift store, thus a collection on hand.)
- craft paint (I had DecoArt’s Patio Paint/rich espresso on hand.) A high heat/temperature paint is a better, safer option.
- double fold bias tape (Again…I had brown left over from a patio cushion project.)
- hot glue
- Sharpie
- Edited to add: Flameproof coating
Tools:
- Utility knife
- Needle-nose pliers
- Scissors
- Glue gun
- Craft paint brush
I started by disassembling the globe by gently pulling the frame from the north/south pole. My globe popped right out.
I also chose a globe that wasn’t in the best shape, so the north and south hemispheres just pulled apart. (Cut seam along the equator with a utility knife if needed.)
Next, using a Sharpie, I traced the fitting (or draw a circle the size of where the globe will be held into place on the light fixture).
I used a utility knife to remove some of the map/cardboard and discovered a metal circle underneath. I was able to remove it with pliers. Then cut away the rest of the cardboard/paper with a pair of scissors.
I painted the inside of my globe and let it dry (well, sort of. I may have been too eager to move on to the next step)…
Then attached the bias tape around the perimeter with hot glue.
Since I was impatient with waiting for paint to dry and had a little “oopsy”…paint on the bias tape, I used a Sharpie to create a design to distract from the accidental smudge. Imperfection adds character.
Ready to install.
Heading to the basement: This is also the path to the basement and I can breathe a sigh of relief that the cracked glass isn’t going to hurt someone when it comes crashing down or that it’s no big deal if my 6’2″ husband carrying a ladder accidentally hits the globe. I kept worrying he’d ‘ding’ that thin glass on his way through…now, it’s okay.
It fits with the style of our sitting room too…
Easy enough. (Would also work as a lamp shade…decorative only.}
Mystikit: Purchase the materials and tools needed to make this half globe light fixture cover.
*more DIY projects in this space:
- repurposed bookcase to pet gate/sign
- no sew drop cloth script curtains
- pipe curtain rod
- painted upholstered chairs
- his & hers painted pillow covers
- fairy garden/spring terrarium
- how to get an area rug to lay flat
- wall mounted pallet shelf
*This light shade is mainly decorative. In our home, it is rarely turned on for more than a few minutes at a time. Please do your homework and consider safety in your own home before using a globe as a light fixture.
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We have one of these ($20 from Habitat Restore that I’m trying to convince him would look gorgeous (for the past year…)
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