Have you ever come across something in an antique store and wondered how you could repurpose it?   Well, last week I finally repurposed one of my fun girl trophies into something darling.  I bet you’ll want to make one too.  Here’s how to add charming character to an everyday lamp.

How To Add Charming Character To An Everyday Lamp

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A couple of years ago I found three girl trophies.  They were Band Majorette trophies from the 60’s and 70’s.  Have you ever seen one?  It was a first for me.

Why is it difficult to find girl trophies?  Do girls tend to keep their awards and boys don’t?  Maybe it’s because there aren’t as many around and quicker buyers snatch them up leaving the abundance of boys as leftovers.  Whatever it is, I’m certainly glad I found some.

My youngest daughter wanted one so the last two have been sitting on a bookshelf for two years.  They serve as bookends and y’all, they are adorable.

Lampshade with Spider Fitter and finial

This DIY was super easy but it’s also permanent.  So if you like changing out lampshades or finials, this is not the project for you.  But if you have the perfect lamp with the perfect shade then this is definitely a great DIY!

Here’s a list of tools you’ll need for this project.

• A lampshade with a spider fitter
• Trophy with a figure on top
• Hot glue and glue gun
• Hacksaw
• Bench Vise (optional but nice)
• Vise grips or pliers

Steps to removing the unnecessary parts

I had to get the Mister involved because he doesn’t trust me with his tools.  Some of my girlfriends have their own tools but I don’t want to use my funds for such things.  I did however get this amazing cordless lightweight glue gun as a gift and love it!  It uses the Misters Dewalt 20V battery though.  So there’s that. 

A Lightweight cordless hot glue gun is a must!

The first step is to remove the figure from the trophy base.  They should unscrew but it took a bit of muscle and pliers. 

Next, you’ll need to remove the threaded part from the trophy and the arm fitter with the hacksaw.

Once that is done you’ll place the lampshade back on to the arm fitter and hot glue the figure on top of the lampshade spider fitter. Mine fit together perfectly and it was super easy to hot glue together.  Clean up the extra glue strings and voila, you’re done.

Final finished finial

I was actually very clean when I hot glued the pieces together.  It was the Mister who took it upon himself to add more glue (insert rolling eyes).  That being said, you may want your hubbies help or decide to do this project when he’s not around.  😉  Anyway, it only took us 10 minutes to complete the lamp.

Just look at her up there?!

Isn’t she so fun?  She looks adorable sitting up there.  It’s like she was always meant to be there.  Now that you know how to add charming character to an everyday lamp, will you do it?  I hope so!  Not only in my eyes is it a masterpiece, LOL, it’s going to be quite the conversation piece too.

Happy DIYing friends.