Sculptural Lamp Making Workshop

Design and make your own sculptural light using rattan and mulberry paper



4 hours Class size 1 to 8 guests    

  $150 - $165 ($165 per guest when you book for 1 guest, $150/guest for 2+ guests)
Spend an afternoon building your own sculptural light by hand.
You'll start with a few lengths of rattan and sheets of mulberry paper, then slowly turn them into a light of your own.
Choose from a small selection of templates to guide the basic shape of your lamp, then bend the rattan into form and bind the pieces together with copper wire to build the frame.
Once the frame is complete, you’ll cut and apply the mulberry paper by hand. Some parts are a little fiddly, some are repetitive in a strangely enjoyable way, and there’s plenty of time to settle into the rhythm of making.
The class is limited to eight people, so your teacher, Martina, will be around to help with the trickier joins, problem-solve with you and offer guidance as your piece develops.
The best part comes at the end when the LED goes in, and you switch it on for the first time and admire the sculptural lantern you just made!
No previous experience is needed, just a willingness to work with your hands and spend a few hours making something with patience and care.
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.
  • Lanterns will generally be sized to sit comfortably on a bedside table, shelf, or display surface. If you’d like to make something larger, extra materials can be purchased on the day, subject to time and availability.


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Upcoming dates for Sculptural Lamp Making Workshop

Times are Melbourne time. Dates and prices as of 8 Oct 2026, 1:39am; availability and price are confirmed live when booking on this page.

4 upcoming dates between 10 Oct 2026 and 31 Oct 2026.

  • Sat 10 Oct 2026, 1:30pm-5:30pm
  • Sat 17 Oct 2026, 1:30pm-5:30pm
  • Sat 24 Oct 2026, 1:30pm-5:30pm
  • Sat 31 Oct 2026, 1:30pm-5:30pm
What you'll get
  • Your own finished sculptural lantern, shaped and made by you during the workshop, with a battery-powered LED included.
  • 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
No previous experience or making skills are required. This workshop is beginner-friendly. A little patience and an enjoyment of working with your hands will help you get the most out of the experience.
What to bring
Just yourself. All materials and tools are provided.
Comfortable clothing is best. We’ll be using glue during the workshop, which washes out easily, but you may get a little on your clothes while making.

FAQ

Can I create my own lantern design?
Absolutely. The templates are there as a recommended starting point and are designed to help you complete your lantern within the workshop time. Rattan will also be precut in lengths suited to these designs so you can get into making fairly quickly. If you have your own idea, you’re welcome to sketch it out and create something more custom instead. There will be additional rattan available for you to measure and cut to the lengths you need, and I can help you work through your design once everyone has been introduced to the materials and making process. Just keep in mind that a completely custom design may require a little more problem solving and making time, so there is a chance you may need to finish some of your piece at home.
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.
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