line drawing of Paperclip lamp

Thanks for buying a Paperclip lamp. Here’s how it all fits together. Any questions? Feel free to ask.

shade

  1. Arrange the four folded sheets so the slits are on the bottom and each sheet overlaps the next, Escher-style. (It can be easier to start with three sheets.)
  2. Starting at one of the top corners, pinch the paper together so four layers overlap.
  3. Attach a large paperclip to the top edge, about 5cm from the corner, angled outward, with the large loop facing you.
  4. Repeat on four corners so the four sheets are attached together in a cruciform starburst shape.
  5. On each bottom corner, overlap the sheets without folding, making a diamond-shaped overlap about 5cm wide.
  6. Attach a small paperclip in the resulting corner with its smaller loop on the inside of the shade, curving the paper inward.
  7. As you go around, gently push outward on the paper through the bottom opening to “inflate” the shade.

frame

  1. Without the bulb attached, unscrew the top part of the lamp socket slightly.
  2. Straighten the cord. Starting with the plug, feed the cord down through the triangle of the frame.
  3. Push the socket into the triangle until the wire of the frame slots into the gap between the two halves of the lamp socket.
  4. Tighten the top part of the lamp socket to clamp the frame in place.
  5. Screw in the bulb.

final assembly

  1. Remove two of the large paperclips from opposite sides of the top of the shade.
  2. Slide the shade down over the frame’s handle until it sits on the legs of the frame.
  3. Reattach the paperclips you removed inside the loop of the handle.
  4. Put the lamp on a table or hang it by the handle. Adjust paperclip positions to see their effect on the overall shape.

shade replacement

The paper shade can be replaced to original specification with Awagami Factory 70gsm Inbe washi, a paper of hemp and mulberry fibres with good wrinkle and humidity resistance yet sufficient translucency.

A large sheet divided in thirds will yield nine pieces (32 1/3 x 21 1/3 cm), four of which are required for a complete shade. To complete each of the four pieces, fold it in half and use a sharp knife to cut a 7cm slit on one end of the fold. Other short grain papers (stiffer widthwise than lengthwise) in A4-ish dimensions can work too.

bulb replacement

The LED bulb included with your lamp is specially modified. Please get in touch to order a replacement in the colour(s) of your choice.

optional enhancements

weight — Find some heavy hardware to clamp to the cable, weighing it down to anchor the lamp.

grip — Cut a 5mm slice from a cork, then cut into quarters. “Screw” the feet of the lamp into one of the straight edges of each cork slice. The round edges serve as the bottom of the feet.

hanging — Flip the bulb socket in the frame to hang the lamp. Attach the cord to the handle with a bit of string or wire.