Remember when I said I was about to find out whether everything worked beautifully or whether I’d be expanding my creative vocabulary?
Surprisingly… it MOSTLY worked beautifully.
For the lightest sections of the pattern, I used a textured dichroic glass—and WOW.
It shifts colors depending on how the light hits it, and once it’s on the curved surface of the lamp, it creates this layered, almost magical shimmer. Like the glass can’t decide what mood it’s in—and I fully support that.
This was 100% the right call.
I did run into one very specific, very humbling lesson: My pattern fit perfectly… until it didn’t.
Turns out, the silicon heat-resistant tape I used to protect the mold adds just enough thickness to throw things off SLIGHTLY. Nothing dramatic—but enough that by the time you’re working your way around a curved surface, it matters.
Next time I'll slightly scale up the pattern before sending it to the cutter.
Not a lot. Just enough to compensate for that extra layer.
It’s one of those tiny adjustments that future-me will absolutely pretend I knew all along.
First Attempt Verdict
For a first Tiffany-style lamp shade, I’m honestly thrilled.
Is it perfect? No. I know exactly where I could refine things next time though.
BUT it came together. It holds its shape. It looks nice. And most importantly—it actually looks like a lamp. That alone feels like a win.
What This Project Taught Me
- Curved surfaces will expose everything
- Tiny tolerances matter more than you think
- Dichroic glass = instant drama (the good kind)
- And sometimes… your first attempt can actually go right!
What’s Next
Now that I’ve proven to myself that I can, in fact, build a lamp shade…
I’m ready to make things more interesting.
Next up:
- A pattern of my own design
- A hanging lamp (because why not escalate immediately?)
- Probably new challenges I haven’t even thought of yet
No safety net. No pre-made pattern. Just vibes and questionable confidence.