MATERIALS:-
Paper
PVA glue (Tacky glue)
Thin card
Translucent 35mm film canister
.....ask a photo processor;
.....they throw away dozens
Pea bulb and holder with sufficient length of cable
.....voltage to suit your system (usually 12 volt)

This is a very inexpensive project and is quite simple.

Measurements will depend on the size of lamp-post you want and the thickness of paper you are using, trial and error is the best way to achieve your required size.

Tightly roll up a sheet of paper using a thin dowel or knitting needle to start the roll and ensure a hollow centre, don't get any glue on the former or it will become permanent. Adding glue as you roll will help to give rigidity to the paper. As a guide a sheet of A4 copier/printer paper rolled widthways formed my lamp-post (298mm long x 10mm diameter); if too thin join on another sheet and roll until required thickness.

For the thicker base join two A4 sheets of paper by slightly overlapping and gluing to form a strip approximately 590mm long. On one narrow edge mark a point 75mm from long edge and on the other narrow edge mark a point 63mm from long edge. Rule a connecting line and cut along it. Glue the 75mm edge at the base of the post then roll round tightly keeping base level,. This will form a sloping 'shoulder'. To form a platform at the top of the post wrap with first a strip 12mm wide and then another 10mm wide keeping the top flat and level. You now have your basic lamp-post which can be painted the colour chosen.

If necessary extend the wire on the bulb holder by joining on an extra piece (suitable wire can be obtained from the suppliers of holders, bulbs etc. or use spare piece from dolls house wiring kit, if not using copper wire system you will need a plug attached after threading through lamp-post.

Fix the bulb holder into top of post as shown.

Cut the top portion off your film canister to make a light-shade about 35mm high. Make a hole in the centre of the base just large enough to fit comfortably over the bulb and holder.

Finally cut a circle of thin card two inches diameter, cut a slit to centre and overlap slightly to form a shallow cone with a base slightly wider than the film canister, paint and fix in place on top of lamp-shade: if your film canister has the type of lid which will still fit on the cut-down canister glue the cone to this as shown in photo.

Fix the shade over bulb using sticky wax to hold in place so that the shade can easily be removed should it be necessary to change the bulb.

This basic street-light can be enhanced with brackets just below the light. The use of lace and braid glued on before painting or scrolls of narrow metal or wire (or even quilled paper) and metal filigrees will produce a very ornate post. A shorter lamp-post with considerable ornamentation would be perfect as a garden light. Experiment to create your own exclusive work of art !

Shoulder shaping .......Top shaping

Details of bulb and shade

Completed lamp-post

* Hanging baskets could be hung
from the brackets if they are strong
enough to support the weight.

HANGING BASKET

Paint a plastic bottle top
(I used Humbrol enamel gloss dark green)
Make equally spaced holes round edge.
Attach lengths of chain with jump rings.
Join the chains together at top
with another jump ring.

ghost

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