Sculptural Lamp Making Workshop

A full-day studio workshop to design and build a statement light for your home.



6 hours Class size 1 to 8 guests    

  $250 - $265 ($265 per guest when you book for 1 guest, $250/guest for 2+ guests) (Afterpay available)
Melbourne Activities
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Craft
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Sculpture & Assemblage
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Lamp Making Experience Gifts
Morning: Find the form

Morning: Find the Form

Start with your own idea, sketch or reference, or explore templates and examples in the studio. You’ll develop a shape that works structurally and as a light.


Choose your binding

Choose Your Binding

Choose a jewellery wire finish to suit your piece, such as raw copper, brass, silver, black, white or selected patina tones. You’ll use the wire throughout the build to bind the rattan together, so it becomes both a structural and visual part of the finished lamp


Shape the rattan

Shape the Rattan

Bend and build the frame using thicker rattan selected for strength and durability, binding each section by hand with your chosen wire as the form develops.


After Lunch: Paper and light

After Lunch: Paper and Light

Work mainly with premium white handmade Japanese papers, with a curated selection of colours available if you want something more distinctive.


Skin the form

Skin the Form

Cut, wrap and layer the paper using handmade adhesive prepared for the workshop. You’ll learn how to work around curves and joins while deciding how much of the structure remains visible.


Light it up

Light It Up

Finish your piece with its lighting system and see the form transform once it is illuminated.


Spend a full day designing and building your own sculptural light by hand.
You can arrive with an idea, sketch or reference you’d like to explore, or choose from forms and examples available in the studio if you’d prefer a starting point.
You’ll work with thick structural rattan, jewellery-wire bindings and premium handmade Japanese paper, with a curated choice of finishes and colours to make the piece your own.
The day is split into two making sessions with a lunch break in between. You’ll begin by developing the form and building the rattan structure, then return to skinning, finishing and lighting the piece in the afternoon.
The class is kept small so Martina can help with form-finding, structural joins, material choices and design decisions as your piece develops.
No previous experience is needed. The focus is on learning through making, experimenting with materials and leaving with a functional statement piece for your home that you can proudly say, “I made this.”
Please note:
Your lantern will still be slightly damp when you leave the workshop, so it will be more fragile than usual and should be handled with care. Allow at least 12 hours for it to dry fully.

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Save $30 when you book with a friend

Upcoming dates for Sculptural Lamp Making Workshop

Times are Melbourne time. Dates and prices as of 13 Oct 2026, 5:21am; availability and price are confirmed live when booking on this page.

3 upcoming dates between 24 Oct 2026 and 21 Nov 2026.

  • Sat 24 Oct 2026, 10:30am-4:30pm
  • Sat 7 Nov 2026, 10:30am-4:30pm
  • Sat 21 Nov 2026, 10:30am-4:30pm
What you'll get
  • Your own finished sculptural lamp, designed and made by you!
  • Thick structural rattan selected for a strong, durable frame.
  • A choice of jewellery-wire finishes, including raw copper, brass, silver, black, white and selected patina tones.
  • Premium handmade Japanese paper, with a curated selection of white and coloured papers.
  • Handmade adhesive prepared for the workshop.
  • Individual guidance with form-finding, construction, joins and finishing.
  • All tools and materials required for the workshop.
  • A lighting system for your finished piece.
  • Skills you can use to keep experimenting with rattan, wire and paper after the workshop.
  • A small amount of complimentary mulberry paper to take home, along with the recipe for the handmade glue used in the workshop. You can use these for repairs or to finish your lantern at home if you run out of time.
Read more details   
Knowledge required
The workshop is suitable for beginners and guidance is provided throughout both sessions. A willingness to experiment, work with your hands and spend time refining your piece will help you get the most from the experience.
What to bring
Just yourself, plus any sketches, images or references you’d like to explore if you already have an idea for your lamp.
You do not need to arrive with a design. Templates, examples and starting forms will be available in the studio.
Comfortable clothing is recommended. We’ll be working with wire, rattan, paper and glue, so wear something you’re happy to make in.
Suitable for

This class is great for individuals and couples as well as for a date idea, birthday or hens party.

This experience would also be a unique gift for her, gift for mum, Xmas gift or gift for couples.


FAQ

Can I create my own lamp design?
Absolutely. Custom forms are encouraged. You’re welcome to arrive with a sketch, reference or idea, or develop your form in the studio with guidance. Templates and tested starting forms are also available if you’d prefer more structure. The first session is dedicated to form-finding and building the rattan frame, so there is time to work through proportion, structure and joins before moving into paper and finishing in the second session.
Location

Balam Balam Place, 15 Phoenix St, Brunswick VIC

Sculptural Lamp Making Workshop location
Verified reviews

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Recent reviews of Sculptural Lamp Making Workshop

  • 5/5 from Kai Yang, attended Sep 2026: Overall very happy with this session! I'm not the most crafty person around, but Martina was very patient with me and gave good tips on improving technique which helped my confidence. Highly recommend!
  • 5/5 from Matthew Bradford, attended Sep 2026: Had a fantastic time making personalised lanterns. I made a Totoro which was cute. Martina did a great job guiding me with the shape and helping me along the way with the process.
  • 5/5 from Matt and Gab, attended Sep 2026: Martina is a wonderful host and instructor! She made everyone welcome and her instructions were clear, concise and helpful!
Your teacher

Martina Wylie
Martina Wylie

5.0 (3)
female Women-owned

I’m Martina, a Melbourne based registered architect, designer and maker. I’ve been drawing and making for as long as I can remember, with a background spanning fine art, architecture, furniture, UX and design education. Those experiences eventually led me to establish Martina Wylie Studio, where I now work across objects, installations and experiences.
I’m drawn to the process of taking an idea from your imagination, to paper, and eventually into something real you can hold. There is something incredibly rewarding about making with your hands, particularly with natural materials that already have their own character and beauty.
My furniture has been exhibited through Fringe Furniture Festival and the Australian Design Centre, and I have also tutored university students in design and architecture, as well as facilitated workshops across creative and design disciplines.
As a teacher, I bring that design and making experience into the room in a practical way. I can help people work through an idea, understand the possibilities and limitations of a material, troubleshoot as they go, and make considered decisions about form and construction. My approach is still fairly low key and intuitive. I like giving people enough guidance to feel confident without hovering over them. Some people prefer to work things out themselves, while others want more conversation and support along the way. I tend to read the room and adapt, and I enjoy seeing the different directions people take with the same process. Giving people the space to experiment, get absorbed in the process, and take home something that feels genuinely their own is a big part of what I enjoy about teaching.

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ClassBento has verified Martina Wylie's identity against a government-issued photo ID.

Melbourne Activities
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Craft
•
Sculpture & Assemblage
•
Lamp Making Experience Gifts

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