Yellow Whale Night Lamp

I had some pieces of 5mm thick plexiglass left over from a previous project, so I decided to get creative and make a unique lamp out of them. This particular lamp is shaped like a whale and emits a warm, cozy yellow light. It is a perfect addition to your bedside table for a relaxing evening of reading or simply creating a calming ambiance. In this tutorial, I will explain the steps to create this charming lamp. From selecting the right materials to assembling and wiring the components, I'll provide detailed instructions and tips to help you craft your own beautiful whale-shaped lamp. 

Plexiglass (Transparent acrylic sheet): Amazon link

Yellow LED strip: Amazon link

12v power adapter for the LED strip: Amazon Link

Cardboard

Yellow and blue papers

Glue

Compass

First, you need to cut your plexiglass to the right shape using a craft knife. Since my plexiglass was 5mm thick, it was almost impossible to cut through easily. To work around this, I designed the whale to perfectly fit the existing shape of my plexiglass.

I sanded one corner to create a smooth fillet, since it will be the whale's chin (I don't think that's what it's called, though). The other corners won't be visible once the lamp is assembled, so I didn't need to worry about perfecting those. With the plexiglass prepared, let's move on to the next step.

Now, it's time to draw the whale around the plexiglass. Start by placing the plexiglass on a sheet of paper and carefully making a marking around it to capture its exact shape. Once you have the outline, draw the whale, ensuring that the shape fits perfectly around the marked plexiglass.

Be sure to add some lines on the whale's chin. This is where the light will shine through later. Oh, and don't forget to include a slot where the fins will fit in later.

Now, transfer the whale shape onto a piece of cardboard and carefully cut it out. You'll need to make three such cutouts in total. The cardboard pieces will serve as the structure for your lamp. The middle cutout will be very important, as it will hold the plexiglass and LED strip in place.

Now, take the center cardboard piece and make a cutout in it that matches the shape of the plexiglass. This cutout will hold the plexiglass securely in place, providing the structural integrity needed for the lamp. Be precise with your measurements to ensure a good fit.

Additionally, you may need to add some extra space on one end of the cutout to accommodate the LED strip. This extra space will ensure that the LED strip fits well and is properly positioned to light the plexiglass evenly.

Then, create a fin in the shape of a D and add a slot to it and the whale so that they can fit in together later.

Now we need to create the lines on the whale's chin (which are apparently called ventral grooves or throat pleats).

These lines will light up on the plexiglass. To create these lines, we need to scratch them into the plexiglass using a compass. If you have a power tool like a Dremel, that would work even better and make the process faster and more precise.

Here's a neat trick to make this step easier and more visually satisfying. Place the plexiglass on top of your reference image of the whale. Position the LED strip along one edge of the plexiglass and turn it on. As you draw the grooves with your compass, they will magically light up, making it easier to see your progress and ensuring the lines are well-defined.

Now, it's time to assemble the layers of your whale-shaped lamp. Begin by sticking the three cardboard cutouts together. Before attaching the topmost layer, make sure to securely place the LED strip in its intended spot within the middle layer. Ensuring the LED strip is properly positioned will make sure that the lamp glows as intended.

The plexiglass does not need to be glued in place. Instead, you can simply slide it into the slot later, making it easier to assemble and disassemble if needed.

Once you have the layers adhered together and the LED strip in place, power on the LED strip to test it. Check to see that it lights up correctly and evenly lights up the plexiglass.

Now it’s time to add some color to your whale-shaped lamp. For a simple and effective approach, I used colored paper to decorate the lamp.

First, I covered the entire whale with yellow paper, giving it a bright and cheerful appearance. Then, I added blue paper to the tail and eyes, creating a good contrast.

Carefully cut the colored paper to match the shape of the whale and glue it onto the cardboard.

Finally, it's time to complete your whale-shaped lamp by adding a few finishing touches. Attach a nice long wire to the LED strip, ensuring it has enough length to comfortably reach an outlet. This will provide you with the flexibility to place the lamp wherever you like.

Next, slide the plexiglass into its designated slot. It should fit securely without the need for glue, allowing you to easily remove or adjust it if needed.

Once everything is in place, turn on the LED strip and enjoy the cozy, warm light emitted by your whale lamp!