This project you are either going to love or hate. There is really no in between. It is most random and crazy Roadkill Rescue project to date. It is a floor lamp made out of crutches. What the? I know…craziness I tell you.
When I was doing my monthly creative segment on the show he issued me the challenge of making over an old pair of wood crutches that he himself rescued from a dumpster. I would never stoop so low to jump in a dumpster…{giggle}. Actually they were propped up against a dumpster so he able to rescue them without infection or disease.
So I thought…and I thought…and I thought some more and came up with a fun, quirky, modern floor lamp to go in my coral and gray guest bedroom. Even if this isn’t your style I hope you will appreciate the “think-outside-the-box” idea I came up with.
Wood Crutches
Cotton Poly Rope
Chop Saw
Black Rit Dye
1/2 metal conduit
hacksaw
drill with long 1/2” drill bit
drill
clamps
wood glue
lamp kit
lampshade
hot glue gun
Krylon spray primer
Krylon Satin Ivory spray paint
measuring tape
1. The first thing I did was cut the top of one of the crutches in half with my chop saw (#1). On the other crutch I drilled a hole through the top of the crutch (this will be where the bottom of the lamp cord threads through) Crutch #2.
2. Then I asked a friend (thank you Tim!) who is a contractor to drill a 3/8” hole down the width of the wood where you adjust the height of the crutches (I will now refer to this piece as the “leg”). I didn’t have a drill bit long enough and I was nervous to attempt it myself. Then I screwed the threaded nipple that comes in the lamp kit onto the tip of the leg. This will also be where the lamp cord runs through.
3. I measured about how tall I wanted the lamp to be and adjusted the leg to that height. Then I measured from the bottom of the leg to the top of the base and cut a piece of 1/2” metal conduit piping (about $1.75 for 12 feet) to size with a metal hacksaw.
4. Next I sanded the entire crutch lamp down with a medium grit sandpaper and washed it really well to prep it for paint.
5. I strung the lamp kit through the bottom of the base, through the metal conduit and up through the adjustable leg of the crutch using fishing line and a little weight to thread it through. I also screwed the threaded nipple onto the top of the leg of the crutch.
6. With the bottom of the base together and the metal pipe in place I adjusted the middle wood part to make sure it was a tight fit with the pipe. I used Gorilla Wood Glue and clamped the entire piece together overnight.
7. In the morning I took the clamps off. It was starting to look like a lamp. I taped off both ends of the cord and spray primed the entire piece. After it was dry I gave it a quick coat of Krylon Satin Ivory spray paint.
8. Meanwhile I took the cotton poly rope (50 feet of it) and dyed it a Driftwood Gray using the color formula guide on the Rit Dye site.
9. Once the entire piece was dry I attached the light bulb socket according to the directions on the package.
10. Then I started wrapping the dyed rope around the base of the lamp hot gluing as I went. It just looked naked and boring without the rope.
11. I picked up a large shade at Target and popped it on and added a light bulb.
And there you have it. I bet no one else has a lamp like this in their guest room. {Giggle}. I still need to add some art to the right of the lamp to tie the entire corner together. It took a little time to fall in love with, but now I can say I am quite fond of it.
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I think that’s an AWESOME lamp! I used crutches way more than any normal person should ever need to when I was growing up, but sadly they were the lame metal ones. I wish I had some awesome wood ones to recreate this with! Way to stand up and take the challenge!
Great job, Beckie. Very creative solution!! Kind of reminds me of tripod/surveyor’s lamps.
I think it’s bizarrely genius! Your mind should be studied! Very, very impressed!
I love it!
You’re awesome! I love it! I honestly do believe you could turn any piece of trash into a work of art. Thanks for the fun read. 🙂
You are amazing! Who would have thought! When I saw the picture from your other post I thought it was a teepee or something! Boy was I wrong! So creative Beckie! Love love love it!
At first I was like…what? But it grew on me, I love it. It looks super modern, and really fun. Thanks for sharing! 🙂
AWESOME, Beckie! The lamp is absolutely beautiful. I watched the segment–you’re a natural on TV! You did such a good job of interacting with the host, and you were great at explaining your work in simple, easy-to-follow language. And your red hair looked terrific! 🙂
my son thinks it’s the greatest thing he’s ever seen. I think it’s darned cool too. And your hair in the Roadkill Rescue picture is so cute.
Congrats on 1 million too.
I think you are like a mad scientist–who would ever think to make a lamp out of crutches?! Beckie, that’s who!! I love how you are able to think outside the box and come up with new and innovative ways to use things. Great job!!!!!
Ha ha ha . You’re crazy! I just pinned it to my “makes me laugh” board 😉 Too funny. You really are a natural in front of the camera– aka my worst nightmare 😉
You are a flippin genius! I would love to hang out with you for a week-end and create.
I love it. I definitely think you are the only person I “know” who could take crutches and make something I would put in my home. I think it would be perfect in a sports themed room, ya know, someone is always on crutches. I do have to say that since following your “roadkill rescue” every.single.time I passed down the street and people have their “junk” out I think…hmmm I wonder what Becky could do with that…its hilarious…Hubs actually asked, Who’s Becky? LOL
Just realized I spelled your name wrong Sorry! Eek!
I absolutely love this lamp… and when I showed it to my husband his response was “Cool!! A lamp stand!! umm I mean a floor lamp.” Once again your creativity never ceases to amaze me!! (thats a good thing!)
Fun Lamp Beckie! It sure will be a conversation piece. Great tute too!
gail
I think you totally rocked that challenge girlfriend! Love it!
Very clever! Loved the video. And so funny to see Tracy Forner. He got his TV start where I live and I remember him doing the morning news here. He was very well liked and people were happy for him that he went on to bigger and better things, but disappointed he was no longer here.
awww Thanks Shan!
HAHA…that comment just made my day…name spelled wrong and all {giggle}. That makes me happy hat you think like that!
Bring it on! Indy is a great place to visit.
It isn’t it the “my cousin is awesome” file?
P.S. I mean seriously…he said challenge….you know I can’t back down from that!
I’ve never seen this done before! What a great use for crutches, who woulda thought? The lamp looks great in your space:)
thanks funny! I wouldn’t have ever dreamed it up. I admit I fall into the “Love It” camp.
You are so creative!!! Especially thinking outside of the box! I love your crutches lamp. Now I am thinking “Where would one work in my house?!”
Linda
Ever since I was forced do spend a lot of time using crutches and learning to walk all over again, I had this strong emotional reaction to them. This is the first time I don’t hate them!
HAHA…thanks! I will take that as a big compliment!
As a physical therapist and DIY decor lover, I think these would be an awesome mash-up of my two loves! I may just have to look into doing this, although it looks a little intimidating. You have at least inspired me to try to give a little nod to my profession in my decorating!
Beckie – This is beyond brilliant! “No one lights a lamp and hides it in a clay jar or puts it under a bed. Instead, they put it on a stand, so that those who come in can see the light.” Luke 8: 15-17 . Thanks for lighting so many people’s lamps – and yes- pun intended with this project! 🙂
Awww thank you Mark, that was sweet.
It was seriously one of the easiest Roadkill Rescue projects. The hardest part was finding someone to drill the hole for me. You can do it!
Yes!! I fall into the “love it” camp. You did a fantastic job with this challenge. I am gathering posts for a repurposed decor post and this is perfect. What will you come up with next?!
Wow…when I first saw this on Pinterest it looked unpleasant to me but reading the story behind it has changed my mind. That really was brilliant, creative thinking! And honestly, now I don’t feel so bad about the iv pole sitting in my storage room waiting to become a lamp. Although, I’m going for more of an industrial vibe since mine is aluminum and black plastic . lol Thank you for sharing your creativity!
My DD is a frequently injured athlete. She never injures herself playing, but somehow she ends up on crutches at least once a year. I so have to make this for her!
Yah thanks, I am glad I changed your mind. To be honest there are still some days that I look at some of the projects and think hmmmm do I Like this?
Found your project through the Rit Dye site. I recently fell in love with the idea of dying stuff. It’s amazing how many more things you can use when you can dye them the color you want! I completely repurposed a duvet and curtains I thought were a loss..( http://storehousewife.com/home-improvement/decor/linens/ ). I have a lamp I’m needing to upcycle and didn’t realize you could buy “lamp kits” to make them out of whatever you want. This concept definitely started the wheels turning! Thanks!
so freakin creative!…love it!
Oh my goodness I LOVE it! You are so creative girl! Loved the segment too. Congrats in 1 mil and the TV show. So exciting!
That. Is. Genius!!!!! What a great idea
You ARE creative. Who else would have thought to make a lamp? You go girl!
Sandra,
Thanks! I like thinking outside of the box!
{you are too sweet}