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Hi all
I would like to make a lamp and incorporate the shade with the base. How can i get the shade thin enough to allow light out but strong enough so it wouldn't get damaged to easily.
Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated.
Sue 
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I have no idea whether this would work at all but how about a layer of muslin / silk between sheets of tissue paper. The material ought to strengthen the paper against tearing. Maybe you could experiment with painting the material before layering with paper?
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Japanese shoji screens are made with rice paper, I believe. Maybe there are some possibilities there. Or vellum paper. Or tracing paper.
Sue
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Thanks people.
I will have to play around I will let you know how it turns out.
Sue .
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Slightly off and on topic but...
How the heck do you keep a paper shade from overheating or catching fire?
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You make sure the bulb is a good distance from the paper and i would say good venting.
Where i live we hold a lantern festival every year and they are made from paper and have candles inside them :shock: .
The Chinese have been making paper lanterns and shades for a very long time.
Sue .
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The center of the shade needs to be open to let heat escape, no paper should be touching or close to the bulb, and generally, low-wattage or fluorescent bulbs are used.
Sue
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Doesn't florescent get hotter than um... hmm those newer bulbs that are energy effecient, forgot their name. Expensive buggers but sure do last a long time.
Time to start sketches for making me a new lampshade heh
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No, fluorescent is cooler than the regular incandescent bulbs. Grab one that's been burning a while and see.
Sue
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