Ok, here it is. The item I made out of a pallet for the Calgary Home and Garden Show is a lamp! This was extremely challenging and I spent many nights telling myself that I wasn’t going to succeed at making anything from this pallet wood that I would want on display in public with my name on it. I still go back and forth between thinking I love it and I hate it but I think that might be because I’ve been looking at it for so long.
I wanted to keep the charm of the rustic pallet wood. The reason I love DIY and upcycling is not because we can cover up the dings and marks with a shiny coat of paint, but rather it’s because the items have a story behind them. In transforming them I can make them useful again but I don’t want to lose that story. I didn’t sand this wood down until smooth, I didn’t choose the ‘best’ pieces of wood and I didn’t make it ‘perfect.’ I just changed it enough so that we can look at it and not see a pallet. Now, we look at it and see the beauty in this wood. And we see something that can serve a purpose again.
This quote sums up the entire project. Seriously. I’d lost all hope that I would finish until I persevered and kept at it and got this lamp lit. It was really hard to find the right shade and I ended up making one from a chicken wire basket and some torn fabric. While I know the style might not suit everyone’s home I think this piece would be ideal at the lake cottage or some kitschy farmhouse somewhere.
So there it is, in all it’s illuminated glory. I won’t say that I enjoyed every minute of making this. I wanted to give up more than once. But now that it’s over, I do like it. And I do hope someone else likes it enough to spend some money on it and help out the Make a Wish Foundation because that’s the end goal here.
Nice job, Heather! I am looking forward to seeing all of the pallet projects at the Home & Garden Show this weekend! (I’m not entering for tickets, just commenting.)
Heather I love the stain you used! I now want a version of your lamp as bedroom furniture! Great Job!
It turned out great! I never would have thought of doing a lamp. Very creative!
Very cool! I like the little saying too!
Heather! Great job on this 🙂
I love the lamp and the way you treated the pallet. Yay!
Wow Heather! I think you did an amazing job! I love the pallet…rustic is always a pretty look 🙂
However you got to the finish line, it was well worth it. This piece is truly unique (and would look beautiful in my office)! Well done, Heather.
It turned out great! (I also don’t need tickets)
That is super cool! I would love to win tickets and see it up close! 🙂
You did a great job Heather! Very creative!
Your an art-tist 🙂
Love it, especially that you didn’t try and cover up the “character” of the pallet. I’d love to score a ticket to the show too 🙂
Great job, lady!! I don’t think I could have done that!
That is amazing Heather! I love it! Where did you get the stencils you used? I have been looking for some good larger letter stencils for a wall project I want to do.
I got them at Micheal’s – they had a nice selection of different styles / sizes.
LOVE it – it came out awesome. You should be really proud of yourself.
wow! I love the lamp. Beautiful fabric. Also, I would love to go to the Home and Garden show – I’d love to win a ticket!!
You did a great job!!!
Thank you!
Great job! I love the rustic look. You may have inspired me to take another look at this pallet trend… I dismissed it as being painfully trendy, but I like what you’ve done! Now where the hell does one get pallets?!
That’s fabulous. I didn’t think I liked it upon first glance, but once I paid attention to the angles and details I was sold! It’s artistic and the personality is very cool. I’m behind or under a rock ’cause I have no idea what you’re talking about with pallet trend. LOL! The angle of the lampshade (that you made! WOW!) with the front is perfect and I definitely love the phrase. Very nice!