Home and Garden

Ideas For DIY

Giveaway: 6 pack Krylon spray paint 3!

by

I know your loving National Craft Month so far! Here’s our third giveaway pack from our friends at Krylon. We are giving away a total of FOUR 6-packs of their fabulous spray paint with a new winner each week. This week, we are giving away the third of the four gift packs.

HOW TO ENTER
Enter to win by leaving a comment on this post telling me either what type of Krylon paint you’ve been itching to try, or tell me your favorite Krylon paint. Tell us all about it before March 24th at midnight CST!

ELIGIBILITY
As much as we would love to include our Canadian and international friends I’m afraid this giveaway is restricted to those with a U.S. mailing address. If you live outside of the U.S. but have an address within the U.S. that we can ship to then you’re in! Otherwise, we truly apologize. You must be 18 or older to enter. Winner will be randomly selected on March 25th and notified via email. Winner will have 72 hours to respond with their shipping address, otherwise an alternate winner will be drawn. Winner will be provided with a catalog and allowed to choose 6 favorites. Prizes will be shipped at the conclusion of our National Craft Month celebration (early April). Good luck!

Comments

  2. i’m itching to just try using krylon for furniture refinishing. i’ve read/seen so many blogs about wonderful redos that i’m dying to have a go at it.

  3. I have been dying to try the chalkboard paint and stained glass! Last summer I “redid” our backyard on a tight budget with the help of Walmart and Krylon! Looks FAB! I bought two “triggers” and was working double-spray-duty on anything that would stay still!

  5. I want to try the chalkboard paint. I can see myself painting everything that doesn’t run away on its own. I’ve tried painting the dogs before, but it didn’t turn out that well. The kids on the other hand are a different story.

  8. I’ve been wanting to try the chalkboard spray. Sounds great!! Of course, there are several others on my list too. Thank you for the great giveaway opportunity.

    Have a God Filled Day
    Shirley

  11. I would love to try them all but I def want to try the chalkboard paint. I’m a big crafty person and I’m also a preschool teacher so either way I can use that chalkboard paint 🙂 thanks for the opportunity 🙂

  15. Our family has use many of the in door/out door
    can paints. On our patio furniture,etc. My son even use Krylon when he painted his truck last summer. Did a great job! So you can see Your Paint sure gets a work out here during the spring/summer months.Oh yes,my hubby painted the bumper on his truck…

  17. Oh, I would love to try the stone and the stained glass. We use Krylon a lot and this would be great for my antique tricycle.
    I’d love to win it.

  18. I lovelovelove their clear acrylic sealer,been using for yrs for everything! Wud love to try the “paints anything” and stained glass & chalkboard! I think I am the only craftr that hasnt painted my own chalkbd yet ! 😀

  19. Ooooh I am like the little kid in the back of the room with my arm raised high …. pick me … pick me … pick me! New to this site, would love to try all of them especially the pearl and make it stone.

  30. I’d like to try the chalkboard so that I can make a gift for my daughter when she goes to college.

  31. In the past week I’ve spray-painted 2 lamps with Krylon paint. One color was a light aqua (not sure the name of the color); the other was a cream color. Great coverage!! only needed one coat.

  33. I, like everyone else, really want to try the chalkboard paint. My toddler would love to have access to a giant chalkboard.

  36. I would like to try to Stone paint. Buying a new house and trying to decide how to decorate the backyard. Stone would be able to make things look more native.

  39. In the past I love and have used lots of Krylon Stone. I faux stone so many things for our new home we built. But now I would really like to use the Chalkboard. I want to make items for our grandson’s rooms and home deco items for friends and family.

  40. I’ve been dying to try the chalkboard paint in spray form. I hear the Krylon is excellent.

  42. I’m planning on spray-painting my chandelier for my dining room, and I’m dying to try the brushed metallic.

  43. I used Krylon to freshen up a patio set I found for cheap on Craigslist last summer. Someone previously had painted it black and didn’t use primer so it was peeling and aweful. I scraped and sanded and primed and painted it finally with Keylime. It looks so cute on our new tan patio against the tan bricks of our house. My parents think I am nuts with all my different colors out there but hey, tan is boring all by itself.
    I can’t wait for spray paint season/weather to get here this year. I have a plan for some projects and would love to use the Aqua/blue pallet this year. Last year was greens and purples. 😉

  44. I love the stone. One time I went through the house turning lamps and metal shelves into stone, it turned out really great. The one I want to try now is the one for plastic. Thank you for the giveaway.

  48. Of course, chalkboard paint would come in handy for crafters everywhere. It’s the shear idea of being able to write anywhere and then erase it that is intriguing.

    Paper finishes- scrapbookers dream. It would work wonders for cards as well as stamping projects.

    And spray stain sounds like the coolest thing ever.

    I also really like the granite looking stuff because it adds texture and appeal to outdoor products. 🙂

  49. Oh, where do I start! Stained glass,stone, chalk board paint and the (beat) list goes on!!! Oh yea, GOLD!!!!! I am a spray paint fanatic!

  51. I love them all, Krylon doesn’t know how to make a bad product, let’s be honest here ! ! !

  54. I’ve been wanting to try the chalkboard spray paint and the metal finishing paint. Hope I win!!

  58. Pick a favorite Krylon?????? Not sure I can 🙂 My daughter and I were just discussing the crackle this morning. That is the next paint I’ll buy: Krylon crackle!

  60. I would love to use the chalkboard spray I have seen a lot of people using it and I would like to take a try at it.

  63. Ooh, I’d love to try chalkboard or glow in the dark for the kids’ room… But my husband goes thru Krylon paints like crazy for his plastic figure crafting.

  64. Really enjoy your blog. I’ve used the
    chalkboard & stone paints. The glass paint is the one I’d really like to try

  67. I would absolutely *love* to try the chalkboard paint! It has been on my list of projects to try for a year! My 10 year old has been diagnosed w/ADD and practices handwriting, math, and spelling on a small store bought chalkboard and whiteboard. These are tools that help her tactile learning style! Thanks!

  69. Really, any spray paint would be fantastic- its illegal to buy it in my city. I’d like to try the fluorescent for a vase!

  72. I would like to try the brushed metallic. I also need some indoor/outdoor to re-do my kitchen table.

  73. I love it all! I mostly just use regular Kylon spray paint. It seems like I’m spray painting something at least once a week. I’m redecorating my 3 year old daughters room right now 🙂

  75. I’ve been wanting to try the chalkboard paint. I have a toddler, and I think it would be lots of fun to just let her go to town!

  84. I would like to try the magnetic paint and the pearl, they both sound fascinating. Thanks for these great offers.

  86. I’ve used the make it stone and absolutely loved it over Rustoleum’s brand since it covered so much better but I would love to try the stained glass paint since I just inherited 4 old windows that I want to repurpose and would love to show you what I’ve done with them when I’m done. I love trash to treasure finds.!!!

  89. I’ve used their clear, matte spray for years. Also that Make it Stone looks interesting

  90. Must try furniture upcycles with Krylon Sprays. Ive seen so many turn out fabulously!! Fingers crossed!

  93. i just tried the jade color and it turned out amazing!!!! i would love to try the pearl or the stone. i think they look like alot of fun!

  94. I’m dieing to try the stone spray paint. I want to revamp my front yard fountain that was damaged by some kids pouring a whole bottle of dish soap in it. Fountain works but the dish soap almost bleached the stone 🙁

  96. I don’t see it in the pic, but I’m eager to try the paint for plastic on my aging planters.

  99. I would love to try the chalkboard, the stained glass, and the plastic. I’ve been wanting to get into spray paint for a long time now….just starting to get the time back into my life! haha!!

  103. Would love to try the magnetic paint and stained glass!! I love all Krylon products!! I use them on all my crafts..especially the clear spray!

  105. I’ve been wanting to try chalkboard and magnetic….do you think you could paint the magnetic first then the chalkboard and have a magnetic chalkboard. I really want to try it….I think my grandkids would have a blast with a magnetic chalkboard! Thanks for the great giveaway.

  108. My favorite is the Krylon clear spray. I finish off all my wooden projects with it and it shines nice and protects it from the sun. Great stuff.

  111. I am dying to try the chalkboard paint on my pantry door! I could also do something really cool for the kids too!

  112. So far I have used the Krylon Clear Acrylic Coating and the Fusion paints as far as the specialty paints are concerned.

    I was not aware of all the different craft type paints Krylon has. I would love to try all of them.

  115. I love trying out the different types of paint! Faux finishes and the new crafting line are great. Would love to try the whole line!

  116. I LOVE the stone fleck sprays and the webbing sprays, but I’ve been itching to use the chalk board spray and try the glass spray. Don’t ‘cha just LOVE giveaways? Cheers!

  117. I have a short wall that would love to be chalkboard-ized. Also, a super cute word bubble i’ve been meaning to paint. My patio table could use some rust-resistant paint- might as well make it a bright color 🙂 and I’ve seen such cool things in the blogosphere w/matte white paint on found objects!

  119. I would love to try out the “stone” finishes as I have a lot of pottery that I had to mend when we moved.

  121. The magnetic paint..it would solve my lack of bulletin board space, and make for an awesome design wall, no more pin marks in my paneling….

  125. I would like to try all of them. I had heard about the Chalkboard, but not the others. Thank you for the chance to win!

  127. I would love to try the stone and the stained glass.Krylon is the best paint. Great giveaway.

  128. Neat! I was just thinking of the chalkboard paint the other day, as my partner and I are assembling a message/scheduling center in our apartment. We have a whiteboard and cork board, but I like the look of black chalkboard. Hmm.. it’s a message from the universe!

  129. I literally just saw the stone spray at my local hardware store this morning and thought… “well isn’t that interesting?” i’d love to try!

  133. ok, I didn’t know you have chalkboard paint, I want to try it, it would be awesome to spray paint a chalkboard on my son’s room so he can draw his cartoon characters (his own) and for my daughter to write in important school dates.
    also I want to try the one’s for glass!!!!

  136. I’d love to also try out the chalkboard. That looks like it could be a lot of fun to put on my cupboard to leave messages for the family.

  137. I am dying to try the chalkboard paint. A good friend of mine used it in his apt in New York, and let his friends write all over it. It looked awesome!!!

  149. I would love to use the staind glass and chalk board to make cute craft projects for my moms special needs class

  151. I have never tried Krylon paint, but am itching at the chance to use it. I recently have began taking up craft projects and would love the chance to try Krylon spray paint.

  154. Love the chalkboard paint on old chargers. Then you can use the chalk markers to write differen messages for different holidays, and instead of name placecards for dinners you can write the names on the chargers with the chalk markers. 🙂

  157. I would love to try the Chalkboard paint. I’ve seen it sold for some time now, but have never tried it before. It would be so cool to have a chalkboard where ever I want it

  158. love the plastic spray paint as i often redo rocking horses or i make them into room decor as a carrose worse however i also use a lot of paint to paint on wood as my base and pole are wood as are the yard and door signs i make

  159. love the plastic paint as i often redo rocking horses or make them into room decor i also use a lot of wood paint as i do yard and door signs

  162. I’ve only used the regular spray paint, so I’m itching to try all of the rest.

  163. thanks to all of these wonderful, crafty blog ladies i just discovered spray paint so i have found a mound of crap at goodwill that’s ready to be beautified!! yaaaaay!!!

  164. I love their spray matte finish and use the Fusion for Plastics all the time – so I know I’d find lots of uses for a can of Chalkboard paint !

    Thanks !

  167. I am a wannabe crafter…always picking up bits and pieces of “cool stuff” for my “someday” stash. Would love to try the chalkboard, magnetic and plastic paints for use in my great-grandchildren’s rooms. I hope I win!! Thank you….

  168. I’ve looked for the stained glass paint locally. I would love to try it on some clear glass items I have.

  171. Oooh, I would love to try the stained glass paint! I have been considering trying it on the glass panes on the door to the garage.

  173. I love Krylon paints!I love the Plastic paints and the Rust paints. They help me with tons of outdoor projects. I would love to try the chalkboard paint though. I think I could make some neat gifts for my grandkids with it.

  174. I’d love to try the stone and stained glass. I love Krylon paint. It is the best.
    Glenda M

  177. I’d love to try the Stained Glass Spray paint. Thanks for the chance to win!

  179. I can’t wait to try the Krylon Glass Frosting spray paint. I bought a bunch of small vases from the dollar store, and can’t wait to add some frosted designs to them!

  181. Wow, what a great selection of paint, I had no idea that they made so many different paints for different applications. There are lots of things I could do with this prize pack.

  184. I love Krylon for my pots and garden items. I’d like to try the chalkboard Krylon too.
    Thanks for the generous giveaway! Linda, MidwestieLady on Etsy and ArtFire

  191. I recently came across the perfect project to try the Make it Stone! paint on: I “inherited” a kitschy plastic sewing box that is supposed to look like carved wood – I think it would look even better as a carved “stone” chest!

    Thanks for the chance to win!

  193. My favorite Krylon is the “stone” paint. I have used it on pots, lamps, etc. I really want to try the Chalkboard paint though.

  195. I’d LOVE to try their mirror finish paint. I’ve seen some cute shaped mirrors that I think would replicate nicely with MDF and mirror spray.

  196. My favorite is the stained glass paint and I would love to try the chalkboard paint. bimbi9atverizondotnet

  197. I’ve used the Indoor/Outdoor paint with great results, I am itching to try the chalkboard paint.

  198. I would love to try the indoor/outdoor paints to make my motley pile of flowerpots be more eye-catching !

  201. I love the variety of colors Krylon carries. I’ve been wanting to try the Fusion kind that stays on plastic. I hope it lives up to it’s claim. Can you see custom colored outdoor kids toys. How cool!

  202. i make custom sports figures as a hobby. they are for myself and for others as well at their requests. i fly through can after can of the krylon crystal clear spray. i would love to have more of it as it is around $12 a can near me.

  203. When I was in college, I painted a pressboard bookshelf using the spray-on speckle texture paint. It took like 4 cans so ended up costing more than a “real” bookshelf!

  208. I’d love to try the chalkboard paint! or turn some horrid brass beautiful with the rubbed oil paint!

  209. I just spray painted a fabulously ornate mirror in hot pink for my daughter, and I LOVED it! I would have never believed how simply or how well it would go on. I’m totally addicted now and want to spray paint everything! Thanks for the giveaway.

  211. I’d love the Fusion ones in bright colors to update some plastic lawn chairs. I want to surprise some awesome neighbors with “new chairs” so they can then enjoy the great outdoors. 🙂

  215. I’d love to try the “stone” look paint….have lots of ideas where to use it!

  218. Would love to try the chalkboard because I think it would be so much easier than the regular paint.

  219. I am wanting to redo some flower pots in the “stone” look. I have some extra…I would like to fill them and donate them to the local humane society (just to add some color).

  220. I would love all of them, I can think of a project for each can. Thank you for the giveaway.

  221. Hi
    I would love to win the krylon paint I could re-do my lamps it has been 10 years since I sprayed them with the krylon paint they are really due to be done again.
    marlene

  222. I would love to try the chalk board paint !!!! It would be fun to use in my class room and for 4H projects!!! ANy of them would be great!!!

  224. I’ve never used the pearl line of paints and would like to use them, however I am so curious to the the stained glass paints!! Thanks soo much!

  225. Thanks for the gIveaway! I’d like to try the weathered paint. Have use krylon on many projects.

Have you read?

DIY Teacup Lamp: How to Drill China Without Cracking It

Vintage teacups have a terrible habit of following me home from op shops.

One pretty floral cup becomes three, three becomes an entire shelf, and before long you are wondering whether anyone genuinely needs fourteen mismatched saucers. The answer is probably no—but they do make a rather gorgeous DIY teacup lamp.

This upcycled lamp project turns mismatched cups, saucers, small bowls and plates into a decorative stacked lamp base. The trickiest part is drilling the china without cracking it, and that is where a little patience makes all the difference.

Unlike drilling wood, you cannot simply push harder when the drill bit is taking its sweet time. Porcelain and ceramic need to remain wet and cool while a diamond-coated bit gradually grinds through the surface.

Once you understand that, the process becomes far less intimidating.

Can You Drill Through a China Teacup?

Yes, you can drill through most china, porcelain and ceramic teacups using a diamond-coated hole saw or diamond drill bit.

However, not every piece of vintage china will behave in exactly the same way. Some pieces are thicker, some have harder glaze, and occasionally one will crack despite your best efforts. Start with inexpensive or imperfect thrifted china rather than drilling Grandma’s irreplaceable wedding set on your first attempt.

A practice saucer with a small chip is perfect for learning how the drill bit feels.

Supplies for a DIY Teacup Lamp

You will need:

  • Vintage or thrifted teacups
  • Matching or mismatched saucers
  • Small china plates or shallow bowls
  • A heavier bowl or plate for the base
  • Electric drill
  • Diamond-coated hole saw or diamond drill bit
  • Lamp-making kit with threaded lamp rod
  • Lamp socket suitable for your local electrical standards
  • Lamp cord with plug
  • Rubber or fibre washers
  • Metal washers and nuts
  • Lamp harp and lampshade
  • Masking or painter’s tape
  • Permanent marker
  • Plastic tub or shallow tray
  • Old folded towel
  • Water
  • Scrap piece of timber
  • Non-slip mat
  • Safety glasses
  • Dust mask
  • Waterproof gloves, if preferred
  • Clear two-part epoxy suitable for ceramic, optional

Diamond hole saw sets are readily available on Amazon and usually include several sizes. Choose a bit slightly larger than your threaded lamp rod so the rod passes through without rubbing against the china.

A complete lamp-making kit is often easier for beginners because the socket, threaded rod, washers, cord and fittings are designed to work together. You can also salvage the hardware from an old lamp, but take plenty of photos as you dismantle it. Lamp fittings have a sneaky habit of looking obvious until they are scattered across the craft table.

Important Electrical Safety Note

This tutorial explains how to construct the decorative china base of the lamp.

Lamp wiring requirements vary between countries. Use a lamp kit approved for your location and follow the manufacturer’s instructions. In Australia, fixed or altered electrical wiring must be completed by a licensed electrician.

Do not use damaged cords, cracked sockets, improvised fittings or hardware that allows the electrical cable to rub against a sharp ceramic edge. When in doubt, have the finished lamp inspected by a qualified electrician before plugging it in.

Choosing China for a Stacked Teacup Lamp

A good teacup lamp needs more than a random tower of cups.

Look for a combination of:

  • A broad, heavy piece for the bottom
  • Flat saucers that stack without wobbling
  • Teacups with stable bases
  • Pieces with similar centre points
  • A mixture of heights and shapes
  • Colours or patterns that work together

You can use a coordinated tea set for a polished vintage look or mix florals for a cheerful cottage-style lamp.

Before drilling anything, build a temporary stack on the table. Rearrange the pieces until the proportions look balanced from every angle.

Photograph the final arrangement so you remember the order later.

Do not make the stack excessively tall or top-heavy. A wide, weighty base is important because the finished lamp must remain stable when the shade is attached.

Readers who enjoy giving old household pieces another life may also like browsing the recycled craft ideas on CraftGossip, where plenty of slightly forgotten objects are given another chance to shine.

How to Find the Centre of a Saucer or Plate

Finding the centre accurately is important because poorly aligned holes can make the finished lamp lean.

For a round saucer:

  1. Place the saucer upside down on a sheet of paper.
  2. Trace around the outside edge.
  3. Cut out the paper circle.
  4. Fold the circle in half.
  5. Fold it in half again.
  6. Unfold the paper and mark where the fold lines cross.
  7. Position the template on the saucer and transfer the centre mark.

You can also use a ruler to measure the widest point in several directions. Mark the midpoint of each measurement and confirm that the marks meet in the same place.

Place two strips of masking tape across the centre in an X. The tape makes the mark easier to see and may help prevent the bit from skating during the first few seconds of drilling.

How to Drill a Hole in China Without Cracking It

1. Set Up a Safe Drilling Area

Place a folded old towel inside a shallow plastic tub or tray.

The towel cushions the china and helps prevent it from spinning. Add enough water to keep the drilling point covered or continuously wet.

Place the tub on a sturdy workbench over a non-slip mat. Keep electrical connections, power boards and extension plugs well away from the water.

Wear safety glasses and secure loose hair and clothing.

2. Support the China Properly

Place the china on the folded towel with the drilling point facing upward.

Support curved cups carefully so they cannot rock. You can nest the cup into a rolled towel or use small wedges of soft rubber around it.

Do not clamp delicate china directly with a metal clamp. Concentrated pressure can crack the piece before you even switch on the drill.

If the container moves across the bench from the vibration, secure the container rather than clamping the china.

3. Keep the Drill Out of Hammer Mode

Check the drill setting before beginning.

Hammer mode must be switched off. A hammer drill repeatedly strikes the surface and can quickly shatter a cup or saucer.

Use a normal rotary drilling setting at a slow speed.

4. Begin at a Slight Angle

Place the edge of the diamond hole saw against the marked centre at approximately a 30- to 45-degree angle.

Start the drill slowly and allow one edge of the bit to create a shallow crescent-shaped groove. This gives the bit something to sit in instead of skating across the glaze.

Once the groove has formed, gradually bring the drill upright until the entire circular edge of the bit is touching the china.

Do not rush this first stage. Getting the initial groove right is often the difference between a clean hole and a drill bit wandering halfway across your best rose-patterned saucer.

5. Use Light Pressure

Let the diamond coating grind through the ceramic.

Apply only gentle downward pressure. Pushing harder does not necessarily make the hole appear faster. It creates extra heat and increases the chance of cracking the piece.

Keep the drill as straight as possible once the groove is established.

Every 10 to 20 seconds:

  • Lift the bit slightly
  • Allow fresh water beneath it
  • Clear away ceramic residue
  • Check that the piece is still stable
  • Allow the drill and bit to cool if they feel hot

The water may become cloudy as the ceramic is ground away. That is normal.

6. Slow Down Near the End

As the bit approaches the underside of the china, reduce the pressure even further.

The final thin layer is the most likely part to chip. Let the drill bit work through it gently rather than forcing the plug out.

If both surfaces are accessible and the centre can be aligned accurately, you may drill most of the way through from one side and finish from the other. This can reduce breakout chipping, but alignment must be precise.

For a hidden hole inside a stacked lamp, a small amount of chipping around the underside is usually covered by a washer. Large cracks are not safe and that piece should not be used.

7. Smooth and Protect the Hole

Remove the china from the water and dry it completely.

Check the hole for loose chips or sharp edges. A diamond hand file can be used very gently to smooth minor roughness.

Fit a rubber grommet, fibre washer or protective lamp fitting wherever the electrical cord or metal rod passes through ceramic. The cable should never rest against a sharp drilled edge.

How Large Should the Hole Be?

The hole should be slightly larger than the threaded lamp rod.

Measure the outside diameter of the rod before selecting your drill bit. Do not guess based on the socket size.

A hole that is too small may tempt you to force the rod through, which can crack the china. A hole that is far too large can make alignment difficult and may allow the stack to shift.

For the lower base piece, you may also need a second hole near the back or side for the electrical cord. This depends on the design of your lamp kit.

Protect this cord opening with a rubber grommet made for the size of the hole.

Dry-Fit the Teacup Lamp Before Gluing

After all the pieces have been drilled and washed, thread them onto the lamp rod without glue.

A possible stacking order might be:

  1. Heavy shallow bowl
  2. Dinner or side plate
  3. Teacup
  4. Saucer
  5. Small bowl
  6. Saucer
  7. Second teacup
  8. Decorative plate
  9. Lamp socket base

Add rubber or fibre washers between hard surfaces where necessary. These help cushion the china and improve grip.

Check that:

  • The lamp sits flat
  • The rod remains vertical
  • The cups face the desired direction
  • The stack does not wobble
  • The socket is centred
  • The shade will clear the top cup
  • The cord exits without being pinched

Tighten the fittings gradually. Do not overtighten the nuts against the ceramic. The hardware needs to hold the stack securely, not squash it into submission.

Should You Glue the Teacups Together?

The threaded lamp rod and properly fitted washers should provide the main structural support.

A small amount of clear two-part epoxy can be used between selected pieces to stop them rotating, but adhesive should not replace proper lamp hardware.

Avoid filling large gaps with glue. If the stack needs a blob of adhesive the size of a biscuit to remain upright, the pieces probably do not fit together safely.

Follow the adhesive manufacturer’s curing instructions and allow it to cure fully before wiring or moving the lamp.

For another lighting project made from an unexpected container, have a look at this DIY terrarium lamp on CraftBits. It is a lovely example of turning an ordinary object into practical home décor.

Assemble the Lamp Hardware

Follow the instructions supplied with your approved lamp kit.

A typical assembly includes:

  • Threaded lamp rod
  • Base nut
  • Protective washers
  • China stack
  • Top washer and locknut
  • Socket base
  • Electrical cord
  • Socket
  • Harp saddle
  • Harp
  • Lampshade
  • Finial

The exact order varies between kits.

Run the cord through the intended route without twisting or pinching it. Make sure the cord is protected anywhere it passes through the drilled ceramic.

If you are using salvaged lamp components, inspect them carefully. Old wiring can become brittle, and an attractive vintage lamp base is not worth keeping if the cord looks as though it has survived three house moves and a small rodent attack.

Choosing a Lampshade

A simple lampshade usually works best because the stacked china is already the main feature.

Try:

  • Pleated cream shade for a traditional look
  • Plain linen shade for modern cottage style
  • Floral shade for maximalist décor
  • Soft pink or sage shade for romantic vintage style
  • Small empire shade for a bedside lamp

The shade should be wide enough to visually balance the base without making the lamp top-heavy.

Use a modern LED bulb within the wattage rating of the socket and shade. LED bulbs produce less heat than traditional incandescent bulbs, which is especially useful around decorative lamp projects.

Troubleshooting Drilling Problems

The drill bit keeps sliding

Begin with the bit at an angle and create a shallow groove before bringing the drill upright.

Masking tape can help you see the centre mark, but the angled start is what gives the hole saw a physical groove to follow.

A drill guide or scrap timber template with a pre-drilled hole can also help hold the bit in place.

The china cracked immediately

Possible causes include:

  • Hammer mode was switched on
  • Too much downward pressure
  • The piece was unsupported
  • The drill speed was too high
  • The china had an existing hairline crack
  • The piece became too hot
  • The clamp pressure was too strong

Drilling is taking forever

Some porcelain is extremely hard.

Check that you are using a diamond-coated bit in good condition. Keep the area wet, clear ceramic slurry regularly and allow the bit to grind rather than forcing it.

Depending on the thickness and hardness of the china, one hole may take several minutes.

If the bit has already drilled numerous pieces, the diamond coating may be worn.

The underside chipped

Minor breakout can happen when the bit exits.

Use less pressure near the end and make sure the piece is well supported. Where possible, drill most of the way from the first side and carefully complete the hole from the reverse side.

Cover minor edge chips with a broad fibre or rubber washer. Do not use a piece that has developed a structural crack.

The finished lamp leans

The holes may not be centred, the pieces may not sit flat or the stack may have been tightened unevenly.

Loosen the hardware and realign each piece. Add appropriate fibre washers where needed.

If one badly centred piece is creating the lean, replace it rather than trying to hide the problem with glue.

More Ways to Use Drilled Teacups and Saucers

Once you have mastered drilling china, you can use the same technique to make:

  • Teacup bird feeders
  • Tiered cake stands
  • Vintage china wind chimes
  • Hanging succulent planters
  • Teacup jewellery stands
  • Ceramic pendant lights
  • Cup and saucer garden ornaments
  • Decorative fountain features
  • Wall-mounted teacup storage
  • Hanging candle holders

You might also enjoy this upcycled coffee pod holder made with a teacup, especially when the china cupboard is multiplying faster than anyone is actually drinking tea.

DIY Teacup Lamp Safety Checklist

Before using the lamp, confirm that:

  • No china pieces have structural cracks
  • The base is broad and stable
  • The stack does not wobble
  • All holes have been smoothed
  • The electrical cord is protected from ceramic edges
  • The lamp rod is secure but not overtightened
  • The socket and cord comply with local standards
  • The lampshade does not touch the bulb
  • The bulb does not exceed the socket’s rated wattage
  • The lamp has been checked by a licensed electrician where required

This is one of those thrift-store crafts that looks wonderfully complicated once it is finished, even though most of the work comes down to careful measuring, slow drilling and resisting the urge to hurry.

And should you suddenly find yourself browsing op shops for china “for lamp-making purposes,” you are among friends. Just make sure there is still enough room in the cupboard for the tea.