Random Light for the wallet-impaired.
Remember back in October, when I wrote about pendant lamps I love and desire? In that post, I suggested someone try to DIY Bertjan Pot’s amazing-but-pricey Random Light using an inflatable beach ball, string, and liquid starch. In the comments, I also promised to post the instructions if anyone actually followed through with the project.
Well, that day has arrived! I don’t know if she was inspired by my suggestion or if we’re just sharing brainwaves, but Lauren from Curiosity Shoppe wrote up THIS EXACT PROJECT for the December/January issue of ReadyMade!
Okay, so who’s going to try making one? (Or two, or…) I know I’m in, I just have to find a little free time (HA, HA).
While I’m at it, I’d also like to challenge you all to come up with a DIY solution for Bertjan Pot and Marcel Wanders’ Carbon Chair. ReadyMade, are you listening? I could also go for a DIY version of a Prouvé EM table. Oh! And a DIY 1956 Lowlight Karmann Ghia in perfect condition. And, you know, DIY versions of all the expensive stuff I love but can’t afford…
I may have to try this over the upcoming summer!
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You’re already planning for summer?!
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Ever since i got my issue I’ve been thinking about doing that to my ceiling for my christmas eve party!
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When I was in Thailand a couple of years ago I bought brightly-colored, tennis-ball sized versions of these for strings of Christmas lights. So festive and fun! They also sold large versions similar to the project you mention for about $60+, depending on the size. Here’s small ones: Ball Lights.
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these do not look very pretty. How desparate can you be to hang something like that over the dinner table
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I guess I’m pretty desperate, Seymour, because the Random Light is one of my favorite pieces of contemporary design. :)
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p.s. Malia, thank you for the link! Those are lovely…
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These would be amazing laterns for an outdoor party!
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wow – if i didn’t have a million other things to do right now…
can’t wait to see how yours turns out! ;)
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You know, I saw the magazine and immediately thought of your proposal!
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This is a craft project that I might actually try…thanks for the link. I’m in SF, so I am also going to go check out the Curiosity Shoppe store. Nifty!
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I like these lights, objectively, but there’s something very 70s vegas hotel lobby light about them.
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You say that like it’s a bad thing, ahj!
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Hee hee. Not a -bad- thing, just a recasting of something that I thought was funny/weird at the time. Cognitive dissonance, I guess.
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70s Vegas hotel lobby here I come! My goal is to get this done in the next week or so. I love these lights and I’m so excited to see a way to make them affordably. Thank you so much for your post Anna.
I also like the smaller size, used as Christmas lights. Maybe I can convince m y kids that this is something they really, really want to do.
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I LOVE these lights! I’ve been wanting pendants like this for a while in our home, but I haven’t been able to convince my husband to jump on the boat with me. Maybe if I make them myself, he won’t be so hesitant…
Now where can I hang them? Hmmm…
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I can’t wait until the holiday vacation to make this light for my dining room! I was so excited to see it. We should all share our final products. I also saw a link to DIY instructions for an intricate folded paper lamp on Martha’s (Uniform Studio) blog.
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Wooo Hoo!!! Have loved these for a long time now! I’m going to get my supplies and get busy! Thank you so much for the linK!!
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Hey do have or know where I can get a full list of measurements for the table I have to build that.
- THX
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Its a great art project, I would like to try.
Thanks
Lucy
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We tried to make a big black one (with a 36″ balloon) and failed miserably. I figured out how to wind the crochet thread around the huge balloon, but the problem arose after we coated the whole thing in the “stiffy” goop and it hardened. We popped the balloon (actually, we made a conscious effort to let the air out slowly) and it sucked in the string with it. We ended up with a bumpy amoeba shaped mess. Needless to say it ended up in the dumpster after Jon pried it from my hands. I was in denial and thought I could save it. Let me know if you end up making one and it works!
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