Wednesday, September 26, 2012

Random Acts of Craftiness: Jacks Lampshade


The day has arrived. It's the Random Acts of Craftiness due date. Luckily this is pass/fail based purely on participation. Even though I feel like I failed, I participated, so I passed, woohoo! When Erin gave us the assignment of crafting with game pieces I drew a blank. There were way too many options. Finally I thought of the the simple game of jacks, played with a ball and metal pointy thing, yes indeed, called jacks. I attempted to make a lampshade.
After much measuring I thought I knew how many jacks I needed. One jack every square inch should have added up to just over 90 jacks. So I ordered 96. Well... I should have ordered closer to 200, or maybe even 400 if I put them closer together.
Since I didn't know how this would turn out and I didn't want to sacrifice my existing shade, I built a wire frame for my lampshade. It just consisted of bending wires until they made a circle and some stands.
Then fishing line and a few mornings watching The Price is Right before school and this is what I ended up with.
I love the shape of jacks. They are so fun.
As you can see from this beauty shot, I didn't have enough to even get half way done. But I got the front side finished.

My husband likes them closer together. What do you think?
 
 
I have been so busy going back to school that this is as far as I got on this project (and I got this far on it this morning, on the linky party due date). I have intentions of buying more jacks and spending more time tying them together with fishing line while watching The Price is Right. I just haven't had time to do it yet. I think I'll change the shade to a different lamp though. This one has too much silver.

I'm super impressed with everyone's projects who have linked up so far. Good job crafters!

31 comments:

  1. WOW! That looks so awesome -- and when you complete it the light will be incredible. Maybe you could find a rounder lamp & paint it to resemble the bouncy ball used to play jacks.

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    1. Thanks for you comment and for liking my project! A lamp base resembling bouncy balls is a great idea!

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  2. I love this idea. I think when you get more jacks and are able to put them closer together you'll get a really cool look. I bet the shadow the light casts is pretty cool too!

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    1. Thanks. I wish I would have started sooner so I would have known I needed more and could have finished sooner. At this rate I won't have it done until Christmas.

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  3. Wow.. That is so cool. It reminds me of an atomic model. Super great idea!

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    1. Thanks for stopping by and for you comment.

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  4. How cute is this? I love the look of it...keep going!! :)

    Thanks for participating!!

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    1. It was a lot of fun. I'll hopefully finish it sooner than later.

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  5. So cute!! I think it's totally worth finishing. Very creative idea!

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    1. It was one of those middle of the night thoughts that just worked out right.

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  6. Wow, there is going to be a shadow party on your walls when this lamp is done! Very cool idea

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    1. It's really pretty when it's on but the shadows are a little creepy. I'll have to finish it by Halloween and use it to intensify my ghost stories.

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    2. Okay the thought of stringing all of those together is my own personal horror story. I'll share it when you share your ghost stories by the shadow of this lamp. You ROCK for having the patience and vision! What a unique idea! Hooray for that middle of the night brilliance. And thanks for participating! :)

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    3. No, YOU rock for coming up with Random Acts of Craftiness. It's been so fun. I'm already thinking of my next project.

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  7. Emily, you did so amazing! You have such a creative gift and your practicality allows you to create so many beautiful things. Thanks for the kindness you did us tonight by bringing the tools over and helping so much!

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    1. Thank you Rachel! It means so much to have family support. It was fun to watch our men hang that giant TV. I hope you're enjoying it.

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  8. Such a creative idea! It's such a fun piece.

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    1. Thank you. It's one of the few projects that is going to turn out like I imagined it. Usually my end result is way different from my original idea but this just happened to work.

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  10. i would not have the patience to tie all those together - awesome job!

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    1. As with any involved craft, you just need an entertaining TV show or movie to keep the boredom at bay. Thanks for your comment and for stopping by.

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  11. Love it! Would never have thought of something as creative as thing. Well done.

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    1. Thank you. Anyone can think of creative things, you just have to try. Part of the reason I wanted to participate in Random Acts of Craftiness was because I NEVER thought of original ideas and hated that I was losing my personal touch to knock offs.

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    1. Thank you. I tried my hardest and it came out pretty good. Now to find the time to finish it.

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  13. This is really pretty! I love it to pieces! Probably my favorite of the bunch! I hope you do finish it!

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    1. Thank you Naomi. After seeing how great everyone else's turned out that means a lot to me.

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  14. I thought of using jacks too- love that shape! I couldn't think of what to do with them though. This is fantastic! It looks great. I don't think I would have the patience so kudos to you!

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    1. Thank you. For some reason I don't have the patience to cook, but I do have the patience to sit down and tie 96 jacks together. Doesn't make sense...

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I would love to hear your thoughts (as long as they are nice)