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 Let me show you how to make this eye catching and unique DIY Hanging Lamp with cardstock and a simple LED light!

Want to add a unique lighting fixture to your home? I am going to show you how to take ordinary cardstock and turn it into this amazing paper lamp. Seriously! I really like projects I can illuminate. There’s just something magical about light streaming through cardstock! This DIY hanging light reminds me of my incredibly popular Paper Star Lantern project and is such a fun twist on my other lantern designs. So for Day 21 of The Great Maker 25-Day Gift-Away Challenge, I showed you how to create a beautiful DIY Hanging Lamp!

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See exactly how to make this hanging lamp from cardstock in my tutorial video (or keep scrolling if you prefer a printable step-by-step photo tutorial):

Get the free SVG cut file for this project

The Great Maker 25-Day Gift-Away Extravaganza for 2020What is The Great Maker 25-Day Gift-Away? This is an annual tradition here at JenniferMaker! Every day for the first 25 days of December we gift you with a brand new project, design, tutorial, and video. On top of that, we host a giveaway with 25 prizes. Some of the amazing prizes are Cricut cutting machines, sewing machines, gift cards, and beautiful print editions of our popular Cricut Coach Playbook. You can even earn bonus entries for sharing photos of the daily projects! Click here to learn more about The Great Maker 25-Day Gift-Away!

Isn’t this hanging lamp gorgeous? It reminds me the trendy lighting figures you’d find at IKEA … and I love me some IKEA designs!

DIY Paper Hanging Lamp with intricate cuts

To make this hanging lamp, you need just FIVE sheets of cardstock in 65 lb. to 80 lb. weight. You’ll want the 12″ x 12″ size of cardstock. I used regular cardstock, but feel free to get fancier with specal cardstock, like holographic foil Kraft board. Just keep in mind that glitter cardstocks can be harder to glue. You’ve been warned. (laugh)

As for glue, you can use anything that keeps it together. For example, a hot glue gun and glue sticks work great. You can also use tacky glue or a gel super glue. If you use a cardstock with a texture, like glitter, you may need to experiment with glues or even double-sided tape to find the best adhesive for your paper.

The only other item you’ll need to get is the light itself. For this project, we’re using an LED light, forty watts or the equivalent. It’s VERY important you use only an LED light in your lamp, as it will not generate any infrared heat. Do not put any light source that will generate heat into this paper lamp!

I used my Cricut cutting machine to cut the gorgeous intricate cuts in the lamp, along with the Cricut Fine-Point Blade, the Scoring Stylus or Scoring Tool, and a Green StandardGrip Machine Mat. You’ll also find a Scraper Tool helpful in folding this 3D paper structure, too!

So let me show you where to find the designs, and then I’ll show you how to cut and assemble your hanging lamp! This post contains some affiliate links for your convenience (which means if you make a purchase after clicking a link I will earn a small commission but it won’t cost you a penny more)! Read my full disclosure policy.

Get the free Hanging Paper Lamp tutorial and design SVG in the free JenniferMaker Library

How to Make A DIY Hanging Lamp

DIY Paper Hanging Lamp with intricate cuts

DIY Hanging Lamp

Yield: 1 lamp
Prep Time: 30 minutes
Active Time: 2 hours 30 minutes
Total Time: 3 hours
Difficulty: Medium
Estimated Cost: $15

Want to add a unique lighting fixture to your home? I am going to show you how to take ordinary cardstock and turn it into this amazing DIY paper lamp that reminds me of some of the trendy lighting fixtures you'd find at IKEA.

Instructions

STEP 1: GET MY FREE DIY PAPER LAMP FILE

First, download Design #272 which is my free DIY Hanging Lamp SVG/DXF/PDF from my free resource library. You can get the password to the library by filling out the form at the bottom of this post. If you're going to cut it on your cutting machine, upload the file to your design software. This is what my DIY Paper Lamp SVG file looks like in Cricut Design Space.

This is what my DIY Hanging Lamp looks like in Design Space

Tip: If you're not sure how to upload an SVG cut file to Cricut Design Space, watch this helpful video training series I made. If you're on an iPhone or iPad, here's how to download and upload SVG files to the Cricut Design Space app.

STEP 2: CUT THE DESIGN

You will need five sheets of 12" x 12" cardstock for this project. Having a scoring tool will make assembly much easier, however, it is not required. If you are not using a scoring tool, hide the four scoring layers by clicking the eye icon for the score layers.

Hide the score layers by click the eye icon if you do not have a scoring tool for my DIY Hanging Lamp

I cut this design using 80 lb. cardstock. To get the best cuts, I changed the "Pressure" on the mat preview screen to "More" and used the Cricut Green StandardGrip Machine Mat. I found the Blue LightGrip mat is not strong enough for these intricate cuts and can cause issues. Once cut, flip the mat over and carefully remove the mat away from the cardstock.

If you have any issues with the small pieces in the design not popping out, use a blade, like the Cricut TrueControl Knife, to release them by slicing on the cut line. You can also try using the cardstock setting for intricate cuts. For additional assistance, please see my Tips and Tricks for Cleaner Cutting.

STEP 3: ASSEMBLE THE DIY HANGING LAMP

Gather your cut pieces, a scraping tool to assist in folding, and adhesive.

Gather supplies to begin assembling my DIY Hanging Lamp

Begin by folding the six fold lines for each of the 20 pieces.

Fold each piece on the score lines.

Fold the lamp piece for my DIY Hanging Lamp

Use a scraper tool for a crisp fold line.

Use the scraper tool to help with folding the pieces for my DIY Hanging Lamp

Continue folding each of the 16 pieces.

Continue folding flaps for my DIY Hanging Lamp

Now that all the pieces are folded, its time to begin assembling the pieces together.

Pieces folded for my DIY Hanging Lamp

IMPORTANT: Take the one piece that has a circle cut out in the center and set it aside at this time.

Set this piece aside for my DIY Hanging Lamp

Grab one of the other 19 pieces and apply glue to the narrow flap in the inside of the piece.

Add glue to the inner flap of each piece for my DIY Hanging Lamp

Glue this flap to the underside of the opposite side of the piece.

Connect the flap to the adjoining side for my DIY Hanging Lamp

Press together until glue is dry.

Glue the two sides together for eachpiece for my DIY Hanging Lamp

This is what an assembled piece looks like. Repeat these steps and glue the other 19 pieces together. Remember, do not glue the piece that has the circle cut out in the center of the piece.

Assembled piece for my DIY Hanging Lamp

Take five of the assembled pieces and lay them out like the image below. We will be gluing these five pieces together as shown.

These are the first five pieces we will be gluing together for my DIY Hanging Lamp

Take one piece and apply glue to a flap.

Add glue to the flap for my DIY Hanging Lamp

Glue a flap from a new piece to the piece you just applied the glue on.

Glue the first two pieces together for my DIY Hanging Lamp

This is what the first two pieces look like glued together.

This is what the first two pieces look like glued together.

Next, you will be adding glue to the flaps highlighted on the other pieces and connecting them to the adjoining piece as the red arrows indicate.

Diagram to show you where to glue for my DIY Hanging Lamp

Add glue to the outer flap of the first two pieces.

Add glue to connect another piece for my DIY Hanging Lamp

Take the third piece and glue it to the first two pieces making sure you align the edges of the tabs for both pieces.

Connect third piece for my DIY Hanging Lamp

This is what the first three pieces look like glued together.

This is what the first three pieces of the DIY Hanging Lamp look like connected

Add glue to the flap of piece three.

Add glue to the flap for my DIY Hanging Lamp

Connect the fourth piece making sure to align the flap edges.

Connect the forth piece for my DIY Hanging Lamp

This is what the first four pieces look like glued together.

First four pieces connected for my DIY Hanging Lamp

Add glue to one of the the flaps of the four connected pieces.

Add glue to the flap for my DIY Hanging Lamp

Connect the fifth piece making sure to align the flaps.

Glue piece five for DIY Hanging Lamp

This is what your DIY Hanging Lamp should look like.

First five pieces for the DIY Hanging Lamp

Now we will glue the final two flaps together. Add glue to one flap.

Add glue to flap of piece five for my DIY Hanging Lamp

Bring the two flaps together and align the edges.

Connect the two pieces together for my DIY Hanging Lamp

This is what the first five pieces look like assembled.

This is what the first five pieces of the DIY Hanging Lamp look like connected

Now we will begin building up the DIY Hanging lamp from the base we just created. I find it very helpful to use something to set the base on as we add the other pieces. I am using a roll of painter's tape but a bowl could work as well.

Use a roll of tape as a support for the base for the DIY Hanging Lamp

Place the base on the roll of tape with the open side facing up.

Place the DIY Hanging lamp base on a roll of tape or bowl for support

We will be adding a piece to each of the five tabs highlighted below.

This diagram shows you how to add five more pieces to my DIY Hanging Lamp

Add glue to the first tab.

Add glue to the flap for DIY Hanging Lamp

Take a piece and press and align the two tabs together.

Connect the two pieces together for my DIY Hanging Lamp

Add glue to the second tab.

Add glue to the tab for my DIY hanging lamp

Pick up another piece and align and press the two tabs together.

Connect the two pieces together for my DIY Hanging Lamp

Add glue to the third tab.

Add glue to the tab for my DIY Hanging Lamp

Take another piece and align and press the two tabs together.

Connect the two pieces together for my DIY Hanging Lamp

Add glue to the fourth tab.

Add glue to the tab for my DIY Hanging Lamp

Take another piece and align and press the two tabs together.

Connect the two pieces together for my DIY Hanging Lamp

Add glue to the fifth tab.

Add glue to the tab for my DIY Hanging Lamp

Take another piece and align and press the two tabs together.

Connect the two pieces together for my DIY Hanging Lamp

Next, we will be adding pieces between the five pieces we just added as the second layer of my DIY Hanging Lamp. Each of the new pieces inserted in areas 6-10 below and will connect to the highlighted tabs of the adjoining pieces.

This is a diagram of the third layer for my DIY Hanging Lamp

Let's begin by adding a new piece 6 which will connect to pieces one and two as shown above. Begin by adding glue to the right side of piece one.

Add glue to the flap for DIY Hanging Lamp

Connect a new piece by aligning the tabs and pressing together until the glue dries.

Connect the two pieces together for my DIY Hanging Lamp

Add glue to the adjoining tab of piece two.

Add glue to the flap for DIY Hanging Lamp

Connect the tab of piece two to the tab of piece six.

Connect the two pieces together for my DIY Hanging Lamp

This is what your DIY Hanging Lamp should look like with piece 6 added to the DIY Hanging Lamp.

This is what my DIY Hanging Lamp looks like with piece six

Repeat these steps to add a new piece in sections 7-10. This is what your lamp should look like with pieces 6-8 added to the DIY Hanging Lamp.

This is what your DIY Hanging Lamp should look like

Continue adding the last two pieces. One piece above and one piece below the piece I am holding in my left hand.

This is what your DIY Hanging Lamp should look like with pieces 6-10 added.

This is what your DIY Hanging Lamp should look like

Now we will be adding four pieces to the tabs highlighted below.

Add pieces to the highlighted tabs in the image below for my DIY Hanging Lamp

Add glue to the first tab.

Add glue to the tab for my DIY Hanging Lamp

Adhere a new piece to the glued tab and align pieces.

Connect the two pieces together for my DIY Hanging Lamp

This is what my DIY Hanging Lamp looks like with the first piece added to layer four. Continue adding pieces to three additional tabs.

This is what my DIY Hanging Lamp looks like with the new piece added

This is what my DIY Hanging Lamp looks like with the four pieces added.

This is what your DIY Hanging Lamp should look like

Next, we will glue the pieces together as indicated in the diagram below.

Glue these four tabs together where indicated for my DIY Hanging Lamp

Add glue to the tab of one of the pieces to glue.

Add glue to the tab of the piece for myt DIY Hanging Lamp

Connect the glued tab to the tab of the adjoining piece.

Connect piece to the adjoining piece for my DIY Hanging Lamp

This is what your DIY Hanging Lamp should look like with the first two pieces connected.

This is what your DIY Hanging Lamp should look like

Add glue to the tab of the next piece.

Add glue to the flap for my DIY Hanging Lamp

Connect this piece to the tab of the adjoining piece.

Connect the two pieces together for my DIY Hanging Lamp

This is what your lamp should look like showing one last piece to connect.

This is what your DIY Hanging Lamp should look like

Add glue to the tab to connect the last piece.

Add glue to the flap of the next piece for my DIY Hanging Lamp

Connect to the tab of the adjoining piece.

Connect the last piece to the DIY Hanging Lamp

This is what your DIY Hanging Lamp should look like.

This is what your DIY Hanging Lamp should look like

Add glue to one of the three tabs. It doesn't matter which tab.

Add glue to one of the last three tabs for my DIY Hanging Lamp

Grab the last piece, which is the one with the circle cut into the center, and align the bottom tab to the tab you just glued.

Connect the last piece for the DIY Hanging Lamp

Add glue to one of the tabs adjacent to the last piece you just added.

Glue the second tab of the last piece for my DIY Hanging Lamp

Connect the two tabs together.

Connect the second tab of the last piece for my DIY Hanging Lamp

Your DIY Hanging Lamp should now look like the image below.

Your DIY Hanging Light should look like this image

Screw-in your lightbulb to the hanging lantern cord and insert the bulb end into the DIY Hanging Lamp.

Insert the lamp into my DIY Hanging Lamp

Bring the lantern cord out through the center hole.

Bring the lantern cord out of the center hole of the final piece for my DIY Hanging Lamp

Add glue to the narrow inner tab of this last piece.

Add glue to the narrow tab of this last piece for my DIY Hanging Lamp

Connect the narrow tab to the adjoining side. There is no tab on the side that joins this tab.

Connect the narrow tab to the adjoining piece for my DIY Hanging Lamp

Add glue between the last two tabs that have not been glued by sticking the tip of the glue between the two pieces.

Add glue between the last two tabs for my DIY Hanging Lamp

Connect these two pieces together.

Connect the final pieces together for my DIY Hanging Lamp

And this is what my finished DIY Hanging Lamp looks like.

This is what my DIY Hanging Lamp looks like assembled

STEP 4: Show it Off

You now have a beautiful hanging lamp to add to the decor of your home!

Notes

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

Special thanks to the JenniferMaker Design Fairy Team, specifically Design Fairy Caitlin, for helping me design and assemble this awesome design.

Answers to Your Questions About Making a DIY Hanging Lamp

Q: What do you need to do if you change the lightbulb?
If you use the LED bulb we recommend for this project, it is rated for an average of 13 years using it 3 hours a day! By this point, many people would be ready to change out their lamp, but if you would still like to keep yours, just slice one of the tabs open at the top with a craft knife, reach in to replace the bulb, and tape it back up.

Q: Won’t the lightbulb get too hot?
It is important to use LED bulbs that will not generate heat!

Q: What kind of cardstock can I use?
You can use any quality cardstock. I personally like the holographic foil kraftboard the best for these.

Get my free SVG files to make DIY Hanging Lamp

Isn’t this lamp just stunning? And you don’t have to use this just as a lamp. It can be a pretty decorative sculpture on a table, or even a gift box! This is essentially a very pretty paper ball, so the possibilities are endless!I’d love to see your fun flour sack towels. Please share a photo in our Facebook group or tag me on social media with #jennifermaker.

See all of the projects, tutorials, and free designs in The Great Maker 25-Day Gift-Away Challenge!

Love,

JenniferMaker.com

Want to remember this? Save this Hanging Paper Lamp Tutorial to your favorite Pinterest Board!

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12 Comments

    1. The winners names are not listed since December 16th. I am checking it several times a day. I screen shot it just incase. Thank you for all the craft projects. I am learning so much watching your videos. Thank you.

    1. You can definitely adjust the size, but some people make them this size and just use a tealight instead. The one thing you need to consider is the smaller you make it, the more challenging it will be to assemble. But, this is a perfect project to experiment with!

  1. I needed this to hang over my desk! I looked at buying one and didn’t see anything I liked. And this was so much economical! Thank you Jennifer!

  2. What am I doing wrong? When I upload the hanging lantern design to Cricut design space the image is lumped together and very tiny. I’ve reviewed the tutorial to upload sag files but can’t figure out what I’m doing wrong. I am using an iPad that is completely updated so no worries there. Thanks for your help.

    1. Hi Corene! Currently, any SVG will import into Design Space on an iOS system improperly. All you need to do is resize it to 11.5″x11.5″ and you will be good to go!

  3. I’ve had a lot of problems with this svg. The score lines came out as basic cuts and some were missing entirely. Am I missing something when uploading to DS? Also, some pieces didn’t have cuts on them and were solid.

    1. I just test the SVG again, KJ, and it seems to be fine. This is a large file – if you are working on an older computer with a little less memory, you may have problems. You may know to do all this, but try closing all of the other programs and apps you have open. Clear your computer cache, and then upload the file again, making sure you have grabbed the SVG and not one of the other file types. Hang in there – this is an awesome project once you get it completed!!! 😁

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