Create Faux Tiffany from a Thrift Store Find!

Create a faux tiffany lamp!  A great way to revamp a thrift store lamp and create awesomeness using a faux stained glass method created with school glue and acrylic paint.  I used this method previously for my Faux Stained Glass Peacock

diy faux tiffany lamp thrift store revamp

While perusing thrift stores during our trip to Gatlinburg, my sister-in-law pointed out a brass lamp to me. Brass with a glass shade, to be exact. A glass shade that can be taken apart…hmmmm…

diy faux tiffany lamp thrift store revamp

To the average person, this might look like a piece of 80’s furniture that needs to be put firmly in the back of the attic, but to me, I see visions of loveliness. I see awesome potential. I see something amazing. I see a Tiffany lamp!

For this project I used:

One ugly ol’ brass lamp from the thrift store for $6.99
Black spray paint
One bottle white glue
One bottle of Elmers clear school glue
Acrylic paints
Craft blade
Black sharpie pen

diy faux tiffany lamp thrift store revamp

I began by taking the lamp apart, very carefully putting the glass pieces aside. I then spray painted all the brass with matte black spray paint. Sure looks better already!

faux tiffany lamp created from thrift store lamp

I washed all the glass pieces.

diy faux tiffany lamp thrift store revamp

I then took one of the glass pieces and drew an outline around it on a piece of paper in order to create my pattern. Feeling spring-like, I decided to draw in flowers, and leaves and deep blue skies. I wanted lots of color in this one.

diy faux tiffany lamp thrift store revamp

I took my bottle of white glue and dumped just a small bit out so that I would have room to add color to it. I then added about a teaspoon of black acrylic paint and stirred it up with a wooden dowel. Add enough black paint to make a solid color. You will be surprised, but it doesn’t take a ton of paint to change your white glue to black. Then put the nozzle back on. The glue is now ready for the next step.

diy faux tiffany lamp thrift store revamp

I placed each piece of glass over my pattern and using the glue bottle of black glue, traced the design onto the glass. This will need to dry overnight. If you have shaky hands or the glue runs together where it shouldn’t, don’t worry; all can be fixed after the glue dries.

Once the glue has dried, take a craft knife and clean up any errors or shakiness in the lines. Simply cut where you want it cleaned up, and peel the glue up.

Mix your colors one at a time. I used a small muffin tin to contain it. Add about 2 teaspoons of clear glue to about 5 or 6 drops of acrylic paint. It doesn’t take a ton of paint to color the glue. Using a paintbrush, generously add the colored glue to where you want it, making sure to get all the way to the edges of your black glue lines.

diy faux tiffany lamp thrift store revamp

I found it helped to periodically hold it up to the light to be sure I didn’t miss spots. Use a generous hand with the colored glue.

diy faux tiffany lamp thrift store revamp

Once all the areas are filled in, allow it to dry for about an hour.

faux tiffany lamp created from thrift store lamp

The final touch is to go back over your black glue lines with a black sharpie pen to cover up any areas that got colored paint overlapped onto the black.

diy faux tiffany lamp thrift store revamp

diy faux tiffany lamp thrift store revamp

Then I assembled the lamp. And there you go! A poor man’s Tiffany Lamp! Now I just have to find a place for it.

If you enjoyed this tutorial and the faux stained glass technique, please take a moment to check out my Faux Stained Glass Tutorial where I create a peacock stained glass picture out of an old frame and glass.

Or you might enjoy faux techniques, check out my Faux Textured Chair Rail tutorial. A great way to add style to a room on a tight budget.

 

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