Are you looking for a one-day class? There is a place where you can enjoy various experiences at a low price; it’s called ‘Jeonju Maker Village’. It is operated in collaboration between Jeonju City and Jeonju Kijeon College. It hosts various classes such as glass crafting, candle making, etc. Among them, The JBNU Globe tried rattan crafting.
● How to Make Rattan Table Lamps
This class for making rattan table lamps is suitable for those first experiencing rattan crafts. In the case of other rattan crafts, it takes about four hours to make even a small basket. However, the rattan table lamp is completed in about an hour because the instructor gives students a kit with preset rattan pole threads*.
*These are the strands of rattan, which is the basis of the craft.
|
Materials for Making Rattan Table Lamps 1. Rattan: This is a subfamily of the palm vine that grows mainly in tropical Southeast Asia. It is widely used as a crafting material because of its long and tough stems. 2. Table Lamp: This is composed of a lampshade, a light bulb, and a stand. You can complete the rattan lamp by weaving rattan onto the stand. 3. Water and Spray: You have to soak the rattan in water at first, and spray water on the rattan frequently in the process of making it to ensure the rattan is flexible. It can break if you don’t coat enough water on the rattan, so be careful. 4. Scissors: These are required to cut the rattan. 
|
First, hold the lampstand, which has pole threads set attached to it, and weave the first strand* over and under the other strands alternately.
*This is the first stand of rattan that wraps around the other rattan bundles to begin the craft.
|
Caution! Since the number of pole threads is eleven, which is an odd number, the middle double-stranded layer must be in a different direction from the upper and most recent layers. For example, if the upper and most recent layers are underneath, the middle double-stranded layer will go above. 
If the direction is the same as that of the previous layer, then that is a sign that something is wrong, so you must undo it and correct it. In addition, if you think the rattan is dry or a little stiff while handling it, spray water on it from time to time so that it does not break. |
After passing the wire on the lamp, weave the rattan one or two more times to complete your craft.
|
Tips! Overall, if you weave the rattan tightly to the uppermost part of the lamp, it will be prettier and more finely shaped. Furthermore, when the strand runs out, you have to tuck it underneath and connect it with a new strand to continue naturally. 
Then, cut the strand to the position where you want to start the final work of crafting the bottom half. You don’t need pole threads for the final weave because you finish the bottom half with a single strand. If you weave the strand three times around, the bottom section will be shaped in a curve. 
|
Finally, affix the lampshade and the light bulb to the lampstand to complete the rattan table lamp. Since this craft requires water, the lamp can only be used after it dries completely. If it is not completely dried before use, there may be a risk of electric shock.
A lamp decorated with rattan makes summer nights shine. When the lamp is turned on, it will create a bright atmosphere. Why don’t you try rattan crafts this summer? They will look wonderful!
ㅣ Park Ji-woo Editor-in-Chief, Kim Doe-hye Reporter