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If you're celebrating Diwali, it's always possible to purchase lamps made by others. However, getting into the festive spirit can also involved making your own Diwali lamps, a fun exercise that lets you decorate it to your heart's content. You may want to find additional ways to decorate your home for Diwali as well.

Steps Download Article

  1. 1

    Roll the clay into a ball about the size of your fist or a little smaller, depending on how large you want the lamp to be.

  2. 2

    Using your thumb, press an indent into the middle of the ball. This will make a hollow.

  3. 3

    Shape the hollow with your fingers to create a bowl with evenly sized edges all the way around. Check that the tea light candle can fit into the hole; if not, keep shaping.

  4. 4

    Create a rim edge.

    • For a round lamp, leave the shape as it is but raise the rim edge with more clay in a circle around the top.
    • For a star shaped lamp, pinch the sides of the top of the bowl with your forefinger and thumb. This will indent the top, creating a star shape. Six indents will create a six-sided star, five indents will create a five-sided star.

  5. 5

    Using a fork, press down around the rim edge to create a pretty finishing. Try to keep this as even as possible.

  6. 6

    Make holes in the side of the clay bowl. These allow the light to shine through. Decide where you will place the holes evenly around the bowl, marking each spot with a small nick in the clay to check for evenness all the way around the bowl. Then press the holes out with the end of a paintbrush or pencil. Use the tool to make each circle evenly rounded.

  7. 7

    Allow the lamp to dry as instructed by the clay type that you've used.

  8. 8

    Once dry, paint on decorative designs. Glue costume gems, sequins, tiny decorative mirrors and glitter in place. The rim can be painted a different color from the decorative designs on the side, such as gold or silver, to help increase the glow of the candlelight.

    • Use really rich colors for the decorations; you can't be too opulent!

  9. 9

    Allow the paint to dry. Once dried, the tea light candle can be placed inside and the lamp is ready to use.

Add New Question

  • Question

    How can I make a Diwali lamp without clay?

    Community Answer

    You could substitute dough or another material with a clay-like texture or you could just use a small metal bowl and decorate it--and your candle--instead. If you have decorative bangles you could attach them to a base beforehand.

  • Question

    How much time does it take for the clay to dry if I am not baking it?

    Charmi Rishika

    Charmi Rishika

    Community Answer

    It will take a day or two, depending where you're keeping it. Try to keep it in the hot sun or somewhere warm.

  • Question

    What it is the difference between a Diwali lamp and an oil lamp?

    Community Answer

    None. Both are exactly the same. Oil lamps are called Diwali lamps because they are used during Diwali but you can use them any time of the year.

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  • Think creatively when making the lamps––any shape, size or height you like is fine provided you have adequate materials and the candle glow still works.

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Things You'll Need

  • Clay that hardens by air-drying or oven-drying (you'll need to follow the package instructions for the drying
  • Wooden or non-stick board for working on
  • Fork
  • A battery powered or real tea light candle
  • Paintbrush
  • Acrylic paints, costume gems, sequins, etc. for decorating the lamps

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