Paper-Only Alien Lamp

I've been wanting to make a paper lamp that could look as organically 'paper only' as possible, as if it'd been spun out of paper.

I chose that cute little alien shape for its beauty and relative complexity.

I'll be sharing a simple technique to achieve a lamp solely out of paper and glu that :

• has a complex shape (a mix of convex and concave parts)
• has no folds, armature, or wire, or internal support of any kind
• is made of a very thin uniform layer of paper

In this instructable you'll find ::

• Basics on how to prepare the basic shape with modelling clay
• Tips and tricks on how to apply the paper on your clay template
• How to embed the string lights and seamlessly assemble parts of the lamp

This technique certainly applies to quite a few other shapes, and I'd be delighted to see what you can all come up with :)

For a 15cm-high alien you will need :

• Time : 1h30m (drying not included)
• Money : About 15 €/$
• an A2 sheet of paper (nepalese lokta paper was used here)
• 1/2 pound of modelling clay
• a string of led lights
• paper glu

In this step we will create the shape on which we will apply the paper. We will discard the cast once the paper is dry, hence a preference for a non-drying clay that you can reuse later.

We will create two legs and two wings and join them on top to create the head

From the 250g of clay:

• Prepare 4 chunks of clay: two of size x1 (50g), two of size x1.5 (75g)
• The two smaller ones are for the wings. Shape them as long and thin ovals.
• The bigger ones will make the legs. Shape them as elongated tear-drops
• Assemble the shape by compacting the four top ends together,
• Round up the top and bend it to create the head

Finally, wrap the legs, wings and head independently in saran wrap. Add a quick thin spray of cooking oil. The wrap and oil will prevent the paper to adhere to the clay.

First dilute the glu with water in a plate:

• I generally use 1 part glu / 1.5 part water
• A simple shallow dining plate will work as a recipient to dip the paper in
• The important thing is to make the glu liquid enough that it will soak the paper, and gluey enough that it will solidify nicely.

Cut or tear your paper. I used small pieces for the pink model, and one single sheet for the red.

• Small pieces are easier to apply
• How you prepare your paper will have a big influence on the final effect, because that is where you see the folds and cracks and fibers most.

Apply waterglued paper on the front side :

• Take one piece of your cut paper:
  1. dip one side in the watered glu
  2. remove the excess glu with a paintbrush or by hand
  3. apply it on the surface.

• Repeat until you have covered all the front of the alien.
  • The modelling clay on its front and sides should be all covered up. The back of the clay will be covered in the next step.

• Wedge the paper under the clay with a pen or knife, but leave the ridges out
  • It is important that your front layer 'wraps' around the front shape, as it will make assembly much much easier in step 6 "Assemble !"

• Let it dry !

Once the waterglued paper is dry, it should have taken a shape solid enough to simply remove it from the cast.

To create the back side, turn your cast around and repeat the step above!

Cover whatever was not layered before.

This time apply just a bit of extra on the sides, don't go all the way down. You want to create this second half of your cast so that it slots inside the front part. That will allow us to glue them together using the overlapping ridges of the front part (left on the photos).

Again, let it dry and remove carefully.

You now have two sides; the back should slot into the front part with a minimum of wrangling.

Whatever the shape you chose, you will now have to fit in the string lights.

With the two legs, wings and head to be filled, I divided my string lights into five even bundles and settled them inside the shape.

The easiest way is to cram the entire string lights in one of the two halves. Insert the lights preferably in the back cover, as this is the one that will get slotted into the front.

Rejoice, for it is now assembly time !

We now have the two halves ready, the string lights are settled in.

• Insert the back of the shape with the string lights in into the front.
• Now turn your lamp with the back side towards you.
• Glu the front and back together. Remember those extra paper edges of the front shape ? this is what we will use to close the front on the back.
  1. Using a brush dipped into the waterglu, gently humidify those ridges until the paper is wet and slightly soggy again.
  2. Push them back over the inserted back of shape.
  3. Use the brush to even out the paper on the surface and adjust the paper.

If necessary, apply a little bit of waterglued paper or a little ball of blue-tack on the outgoing wire to hide and secure it.

Once this is done, let it dry again...

And voilà, let there be light !