Artisans Lamp Projects
Oil Lamp Project -
Before electricity, lamps of various designs were used to light one's home and surroundings. Below are a few different ways you make your own lamps. Please note you ELP Instuctor doesn’t provide materials for the following projects.
Qulliq - Seal Oil Lamp - This video shows the process of making a Qulliq. The Qulliq is the traditional oil lamp used by the Arctic peoples, including the Inuit, the Chukchi, and the Yupik peoples, from Alaska, Siberia and beyond. Seal fat was the typical fuel.
Stone Oil Lamp - "From Kodiak to Greenland, Native peoples used stone oil lamps to heat and light their homes." Quote from the Alutiiq Museum. Learn more about these lamps and their importance from the Alutiiq Museum here and in the PDF here.
Oil Lamp How-To - This how-to link offers an easier version of an oil lamp project that you can make with a mason jar and olive oil OR make your own vessel with clay.
Copper Candle Lantern Project - Follow these instructions to make a mini tin copper lantern at Metini / Fort Ross.
Materials and Equipment Needed-
- 10” by 10” sheet of thin, 20 gauge copper/tin
- Metal cutter
- Hole puncher
- Nail for hole puncturing
- Hook and Chain
- Tea Candle
- Mallet (provided by ELP Instructor)
Procedure –
- Cut an equilateral triangle (each side 9 inches long) out of copper or tin
- Punch holes at the corners with a hole puncher
- Puncture holes with a nail to create designs (stars, spirals, your name, etc) on the outer triangles
- Fold along the “fold” lines to make a pyramid
- Place a tea candle at the bottom
- Attach the hook and the chain through the punched out corner holes. You will have to undo the hook to light your candle
Caution – Copper/tin edges can be sharp and surfaces will get hot while in use
Note – You may cut out the triangles and punch out the corner holes before your arrival at Metini / Fort Ross