FNISS + HEMMA = 3-Season Lamp!

Materials: FNISS, HEMMA, drill, saw, utility knife

Description: We have a three-season porch attached to our garage that needed a new lighting solution. We have lots of IKEA in our house, so that's naturally the first place I looked.

The porch has a few electrical outlets on the ceiling, so I was looking for some sort of pendant light, and knew that HEMMA would probably be involved. Sadly, most of the paper lanters seemed too delicate to withstand the extreme temperature and humidity [Minnesota] fluctuations. The solution seemed to be to use a plastic shade, but sadly, there didn't seem to be one that provided the look and function that I was looking for...

Then I came upon the FNISS display.

- Take two (2) FNISS plastic wastepaper baskets.
- Turn upside-down and drill a few pilot holes, dead-center in the bottom.
- Continue cutting a hole with a small saw (I used a Fiskars camp saw) and utility knife.
- The finished hole doesn't have to be perfectly round, but just big enough to fit the HEMMA light cord set.
- The flange of the HEMMA socket should cover any rough spots in the bottom of the basket.
- Screw together the two parts of the HEMMA socket, screw in your choice of lightbulb and hang using the provided hardware!

Voila!

~ Tomasz Majewski, Richfield, MN

Mega Menorahs using waste bins

Materials: Fniss

Description: Massive lawn menorahs constructed from Ikea FNISS. We drilled holes in bottom and stacked on pvc poles that were driven into the ground. We filled with lights and topped with candles and sparkly wrappings.

Voila! Festive Hanukkah lawn decor to keep up with the Joneses 7ft Santas and mechanized reindeer.

See more of the giant menorah.

~ Ciaran Blumenfeld, Southern California

Create a Diffuser for the FOTO Ceiling Pendant Lamp

Materials: Foto lamp (20 inch), FNISS wastepaper basket clear, SPARSAM light bulb, drill, drill bit, utility knife (be careful!)

Description: Remedy the annoying "light bulb in the eye" with a diffuser. All items are from Ikea (minus tools).

1. For the diffuser, use a FNISS plastic wastepaper basket. On the bottom, cut a hole about one and a half inch diameter in the middle. Use a drill and drill bit to remove most of the material by making multiple drill holes. Use a utility knife to finish.

2. Grab the SPARSAM light bulb, place the socket end of the bulb through the diffuser to make sure the bulb will be able to screw into the pendant's socket.

3. Now it's time to install! The beauty of this hack is no hardware is needed. The SPARSAM light bulb actually holds the diffuser in place.

4. Enjoy the upgrade!

Total cost as pictured is:

FOTO 20" pendant lamp = $29.99
FNISS wastepaper basket = $1.99
SPARSAM e26 light bulb = $4.99

~ J.Trawic, Arlington, VA

Trash to treasure- Literally!

Materials: FNISS, pole stand

Description: I created this Bin Stand to hold plush toys. They are great for tall flower arrangements by the front door, as a way to keep kids' rooms tidy or as an umbrella stand.

The pole stand can be any pole stand that is available at metal shops. You can also create your own out of copper fittings from the hardware store or PVC pipes and fittings.

1. Take 3 or more FNISS bins and drill a hole at the first ridge on the top (about 4 inches down from the edge).

2. Drill 3 holes on the pole stand, making sure to space them out evenly around the pole and up and down (about 8-12 inches apart).

3. Screw the bins onto the pole stand with short, heavy screws.

See the Fniss bin display in action.

~ Alan, St. Pete Beach, FL