Okay, so I saw this picture of a super cool lamp that looked like a giant egg tart, and I just had to try and make one myself. I’m no expert craftsman, but I’m pretty handy and I love a good DIY project. Here’s how it went down:
Gathering Supplies
First things first, I needed to figure out what the heck I was going to use. I brainstormed a bit and decided to go with these:
- A big round paper lantern: This was going to be the base of the “tart.” I got one that was pretty big, maybe 20 inches across?
- Yellow and brown fabric: For the “custard” and the “crust,” obviously. I went with felt because it’s cheap and easy to work with.
- Cotton batting: To give the custard some puffy, realistic-looking volume.
- Hot glue gun and glue sticks: My trusty weapon of choice for most DIY endeavors.
- A lamp kit: You know, the cord, socket, and bulb – the actual “lamp” part. I just grabbed a basic one from the hardware store.
- Scissors
Making the Custard
I started with the “custard.” I cut out a big circle of yellow felt, a bit smaller than the lantern’s diameter. Then, I started stuffing it with the cotton batting. The trick here was to get it evenly distributed so it wouldn’t look lumpy. I used my hands to kind of mold it into a nice, smooth dome shape.
Crafting the Crust
Next up, the “crust.” I cut out strips of brown felt and, this is important, made little snips along one edge to give it that crimped, crust-like look. This took a while, but it was worth it for the detail.
I used the hot glue to put it all in to place,and pinched it to make waves.
Assembling the Tart
Now for the fun part – putting it all together! I carefully glued the stuffed yellow felt circle onto the inside of the paper lantern. This was a bit tricky because I didn’t want the glue to show through the paper. I used it sparingly and pressed the felt down gently.
Then it will be the crust part.
Adding the Lamp Kit
Almost there! I followed the instructions on the lamp kit to assemble it. This usually involves screwing the socket onto the cord and attaching any necessary hardware.I carefully inserted the lamp kit through a small hole at the top of my paper lantern.
The Finishing Touch
I plugged it in, held my breath, and… it worked! It actually looked like a giant, glowing egg tart. My friends thought it was hilarious and awesome, and I gotta say, I was pretty proud of myself.
It’s not perfect, of course. There are a few wonky spots, and maybe the crust could be a little more refined. But hey, that’s the charm of DIY, right? It’s unique, it’s fun, and it’s definitely a conversation starter.
It wasn’t a super quick project, it takes some patient, but the result is very good, go try it out!
