{uncaptioned} I enjoy making lamps, and have made many Kachina doll lamps, each different from the others—different dolls, different bases, and different shades. The dolls should be made out of at least 2-inch wood. A 2½-inch size is better, the over-all base and doll measuring about 9 inches in length. This is a good proportion. In making bracket lamps, the doll can be set right on the bracket, as shown at lower left, and the brackets can be painted to harmonize with the doll, or stained or painted to match the woodwork of the house. I have also made totem pole lamps on this same principle, using Northwest Coast Indian designs on base and shade. In making the drum base shown here, either of two methods may be used. When I have a lot of time, I lace rawhide over the block and paint it. Usually, however, I simply paint the circular base to resemble an Indian tom-tom. LAMP SHADESPaper lamp shades are rather easy to make after you know how to go about it. Of course a wire frame is required. These can sometimes be bought, but as a rule a frame can be taken from a discarded shade of the proper size. Only the top and bottom rings are required for the round shades. Design taken from pottery. Use a round shade with a round base. This is the conventional shape. If you can not get a pattern from the former covering, a new one can be easily laid out as follows: PROCEDURE
Remember: Punch holes about ¼ inch from edge and lace with plastic or leather lace. Frames for square shades should have wire uprights at corners. A square shade is the proper thing to use on a lamp with a square base. This is usually covered with four separate pieces laced together at the corners and the top and bottom.
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