This TikToker Turned A Branch Into A Statement Piece Lamp — And The Result Is A Glowing Work Of Art
If you've had a tree fall in a storm or you've got branches left over after tree surgery, you may be thinking about turning it into firewood or wondering whether to buy or rent a woodchipper. But TikToker sadecedogal has a much more creative approach, turning a branch into a statement piece that is both a lamp and decorative artwork. The finished item is attractive and practical. With a few tools and a little patience, it is relatively straightforward to make, so let's look at how to do that.
It doesn't really matter whether the branch is old or relatively new (green). It will probably be easier to strip the bark from the former, but the latter is generally softer and easier to work with. A sharp knife is used to remove most of the bark (a small hatchet would also do it), and although the TikToker has bare hands, you might want to wear gloves. Always cut away from yourself. An angle grinder is then used to take off the remaining pieces and roughly smooth the surface. These tools can be a bit intimidating for beginners, so a sander with 60-grit sandpaper could be used instead.
Fit the lighting and a stand to the branch
The angle grinder is used again to cut grooves in the branch for rope lighting. There is an angle grinder alternative you can find at Harbor Freight that might take a little longer but is easier to handle. You can freehand the groove if you're feeling confident or mark a pencil line to follow first.
@sadecedogal Bir aydınlatmadan fazlası . #lambader #dekor #tasarım #wooddesign #tiktikviral
You'll need to choose the rope lights that you want to insert and make sure the groove is wide and deep enough to accommodate them. There are a wide variety to choose from, in different colors and light patterns, so you can make the lamp your own. You don't need to worry too much if the rope is a little long, because most can be trimmed with a knife or scissors. Just check before you buy. In the video, hot glue is used to fix the lights in place (they don't need to be turned on), but you can use pretty much any all-purpose adhesive.
Finally, a rustic base is added, made from a large slice of tree trunk. If you don't have one, you could cut out something similar using store-bought pine board or design your own base. It doesn't appear that the TikToker applies a finish, but if your branch doesn't match your decor, you can tint it with water-based stain or varnish. There are several things you can do with fallen branches in your yard, but none of the others will result in a glowing work of art you made yourself.