Music to my eyes! No, I don't have synesthesia.

So I was watching good ole' HGTV and this show called "Junk Gypsies" and got inspired.  They had found an old broken french horn, drilled a hole and made it into a pendant light!  I thought something straight would make a great lamp and began the process of searching for broken clarinets and flutes on Ebay.  I explained my plan to my musician husband, and he said one of the most shocking things in our marriage to date, that I could use one of his old clarinets and turn it into a lamp.  Doesn't seem shocking? We have a regular cornucopia of instruments in our house, several of which do not work, but he has an attachment to every single one, so when he said I could have one, I considered it quite a coup.  My feminine DIY charms must finally be working.

First thing I needed was a lamp base since the clarinet would just topple over without one.  I considered making one which would involve lots of drilling and sawing and circles (shiver), but quickly vetoed that idea and decided to find a lamp I could cannibalize instead.  Lampibalize?  Anyway, I found a lamp similar to this one at Target that was about the right height for the clarinet.

From Target.com

I disassembled it, basically unscrewing every piece until I had this.

I glued the clarinet pieces together using E-6000 glue and waiting patiently for it to dry.  Or didn't and had to reglue it when it came apart.  Oops.  Be patient with your glue, kids.  Moving on...When it actually was dry, I threaded the cord up through the bottom of the clarinet and through the threaded rod.  Realizing the rod would show through the clarinet holes, I spray painted it a flat black.  

Here is the clarinet with the rod and cord threaded through still waiting to be sprayed.

I glued the clarinet to the lamp base to ensure it wouldn't be wobbly.  The curve of the base actually perfectly fit the curve of the clarinet bell; kismet, I tell ya. 

 I pulled the excess cord through the bottom after reattaching the white and black wires per the label on the lamp.  The wires weren't actually different colors, but there should always be a ribbed one and a smooth one.  Every time I rewire a lamp, I have to look up which cord is neutral (white, ribbed in my experience thus far) and live (black, smooth).  Before you start fiddling with electricity, I highly recommend doing your own research relevant to your fixture.    

Replace the shade, give it a bulb, and voila!

It's a pretty tall lamp, but the whimsy of it is perfect for my musician's home.  And it's extra fun because I made it myself!  

I think my husband better start hiding his instruments before I get any more ideas.