A couple of days ago I showed you the door nightstand/bookshelf I made for Jan, one of my local readers. Yesterday I showed you how to drill through glass/china. Today I’m going to share with you two teapot lamps I made for her.
I drilled holes in a bunch of glass pieces. More tips on drilling china here, I also show you how I spray painted a lamp so the pieces match.
Carefully Drill Holes In Teacups and Saucers
You can see some painter’s tape on the glass pieces. We used the leftover tape from the window panes to mark the order of the pieces after we got them stacked. By the way, that is NOT Jan in the brown shirt… it’s just a kid from the neighborhood. They always stop by to see what I’m working on.
Begin stacking china pieces to get the look you want for your teacup lamp
Note the hole in the bottom piece. That hole is for the electrical cord.
The writing on the tape is 8G, 9G, etc. Meaning these pieces were for the Green lamp.
At this point I was just re-stacking them after I completed a few more holes.
It’s a lot like making glass totems. Another project where gail stacks bits and pieces. I’m telling you, I must not have played with enough blocks as a child.
Teapot Lamps use Cups and Saucers of all sizes and colors
Do you see the mason jar lid? I thought I might need to use that for the top to get a tight fit. It was not needed.
The lamp is not wired yet.
How to secure the china pieces for your teapot lamp
This is project #2, the blue lamp. You can see the Dap Silicone Sealant 
I used to “glue” this one together. I used Silicone in a caulk gun on the glass totems. But for this project, I was looking for something easier and simple. I bought mine at Home Depot.
I really like how we put the one cup upside down on the other, don’t you?
Here they are side, by side.
How to cut down a lamp rod when making a teapot lamp
When Jan picked up the lamp kit, she got the kind with threads all the way down. In my opinion, this is the best way to go. There were two rods that connect with that neat little connector there in the middle. Once connected, the rod was too tall for the “stack” of glass pieces. I used my jigsaw to cut the rod down to size.
Use caution when rewiring a repurposed teapot lamp
This is why I didn’t have to use the mason jar lid. Because the threads go all the way down the rod, I was able to screw a washer/nut all the way down to get a tight fit with the top piece (cup). I then wired and screwed the socket in place. Because this is not my lamp, I suggested that Jan’s husband check the wiring and even rewire it himself. (I don’t want to burn their house down) I know my limits and I am not very knowledgeable about electricity and wiring.
How to wire a teacup or teapot lamp
Okay, in this picture I’m going to show you my “oops”. As I was drilling the pieces, I accidentally drilled a side hole in the large plate thinking it was going on the bottom. I had forgotten that we had decided to put this small bowl as the base. I glued it so that this hole will be toward the back of the lamp. In all honesty, the blue plate is rather “busy” so hopefully it won’t be noticed.
You can see that you need a side hole in order for your cord to have an exit. You can also see that I used a washer and a nut to hold the bottom of the rod in place.
Which is your favorite? The blue or the green? Once Jan gets them home and dresses them up with a couple of shades, I’ll be sure to update this post with properly staged after pictures.
I worked on wiring my lamp, but I have lost one of the parts. I’ll have to pick up a new socket (and a shade).
Love unique lamps? Check out my repurposed coffee pot lamp and other repurposed light ideas , plus repurposed glassware project ideas
gail
Mary Jane Wells
These are the prettiest lamps I've ever seen!! If I send you my cups and saucers will you make me one? It waaaay over my head to do this!!
Gail Wilson
Your comment made me smile Mary Jane! This is such a difficult project, and I would never want to attempt to drill someone else's china cups! There could be breakage.
But if you're serious, and have extras--I may consider it.
gail
Type A Ramblings
What a fantastic idea! I also have a love for tea cups and looking for a way to incorporate it into my home. I've been looking for the perfect antique tea canisters but most of them don't have lids 🙁
Here's my little ode to the tea cup post on my blog:
http://typearamblings.blogspot.com/2011/05/tea-time.html
Pam
Backwoods Cottage Pam
I enjoy them both! I can never find such lovely pieces at thrift stores, maybe i should try more garage sales. I have made bird feeders from them in the past but not lamps, great idea!
c.w.frosting
I love BOTH but am partial to the green. I did something similar... didn't want to fuss with drilling so made candles, HERE
-caroline @ c.w.frosting
Lucy Designs
wonderful! I love both, don't think I could choose! LOL
Evelene S
I love the lamps but the blue one is my favorite. A pretty yellow silk flower would look great in that hole in the blue plate.
Toqua's Crafts
They are both pretty but I think the blue is my favorite. I really like the two cups facing each other in the middle and the teapot on bottom. I've always lived in the 'desert' and so there is always dust. As cute as these are... I wouldn't want to dust 'em!!
Anita @ GoingALittleCoastal
What a cute idea! They turned out great Gail. Love the little tea pots too. I think the blue is my fav. But I love the green too. How funny that you get an audience from the neighborhood kids!
Linda@Coastal Charm
How neat...love this cute idea!!!
Blessings,
Linda
Sue
These lamp are pure fun! They remind me of Alice in Wonderland for some reason. I'm normally not a "green" girl, but I like it better than the blue.
Debbie @ OtRD
These look great! Love how they turned out! What a fun idea.
Randi
Those are both so fun. I think I like the green one best but the blue is pretty darn cute too. What fun lamps!
Two Dollars
I think I prefer the green for 2 reasons 1) I like the upside down bowl for the base and 2) I like the saucer that is 'lacey.' Good job 🙂
-Stefanie
2ndChanceCreations.etsy.com
Tatum @ Many Moments Of Me
These are absolutely dreamy. What a clever way to utilize tea sets! Having something so old fashioned and being able to display them all the time because they are functional is such a plus!
Shirlee
Both lamps are adorable but my favourite is the green one. I have rewired lighting and made lamps for myself and I feel the same as you do in regards to doing wiring for someone else. Although it's easy to do, I wouldn't want to burn someone's house down either!
Once you master the skills of drilling through various items, you can make all sorts of interesting lighting. My biggest problem is finding decent lampshades.
Have a great day!
eye_on_sparrow
These are so pretty it makes me want to try this. I like the blue Lamp best. Thanks for sharring.
A Vintage Green
You create/build the most amazing items - the teatime lamps are great and your tutorial is very much appreciated.
- Joy
Michele Chastain
These are amazing! I need to start collecting cute cups/saucers, etc... to make one of my own. You're awesome!
Grace One Hundred
I love the green one. The dark green teapot at the bottom really grounds it and I love its texture! I am ITCHING to make one of these!! I've been saving tea cups, saucers & tea pots for over a year. I need to get on it! Thanks for the extra inspiration. 🙂
Michelle @ Dream Home DIY
Oh they're perfect :0) I kinda love the blue one but Im a bit of a sucker for that color
Rose @ Confessions of a Curbshopaholic
They are both so pretty! I would have to pick the green just because it's my favorite color.
I'm still chuckling about the phone. Our random chats while I'm traveling are always the highlight of my day. Thanks for keeping me company!
Debilou ~ Mississippi Mama
well they are both pretty but I think the blue is my favorite,, i like the two cups facing each other in the middle and the teapot on bottom.
Teri
I like the green best. My sis has been wanting to do this and I've directed her over to your blog to see how it's done.
Granny
I like them both but the green is my favorite. I love the lampshade with the little tassels. I still haven't been brave enough to try using my diamond drill bit. Maybe today or tomorrow if it warms up as much as the weather guesser predicted.
Coleen's Corner
I like them both! The green is my favorite... simply because it would fit in my living room just fine : ) Great job. Looking forward to the final shots of these beauties!
Inspire Me Heather
I just love the whimsy in those lamps!
Sarah at Finishing Touch Interiors
what a fabulous idea. my friend collects teapots & cups & saucers she would LOVE this
Proper Prim
Great job Gail... I like them both, it would be hard to make a choice.
Can't wait to see the staged pics.
Have a wonderful day sweetie...
Hugs, Deb