Oil lamp - comfort and originality in one bottle

Each mistress dreams that the house was warm and cozy. But sometimes it is not easy to pick up accessories to create that necessary comfort. A special role in creating a competent interior is played by the choice of lighting. Today, there are a lot of options for this: sconces, table lamps, original chandeliers and plafonds. And for fans of semi-darkness and romantic atmosphere, an oil lamp is perfect. Unlike all the above options, it serves as an original decor element rather than as a lighting device. Although it all depends on the size and the wick. Some of these lamps are quite bright.

What is an oil lamp?

A familiar name that immediately evokes a certain image in my head, is not it? In fact, the oil lamp was not always the way we used to imagine it. From the name it is clear that such a lamp works by burning fat or oil. The principle of its operation is similar to the installation of a kerosene lamp - a container with fuel, a wick and physics, according to the laws of which, oil or fat always rises in the fibers.

About the use of lamps

The first oil lamps appeared in the Paleolithic era, only they were made from clay, stones, copper, and later other metals. Such lamps were popular with Eskimos, and until the 19th century, slightly modified, they were used as firing hours (similar to solar ones).

In Russia and Canada, so-called kudliki - stone cups with a wick put down in them and filled with fat, oil or lard, were widely used. Here and there they are used until now, and the peoples of the north have learned to heat their homes with the help of such lamps.

Today, the oil lamp is no longer so popular, and it looks different: all kinds of candles, bottles, cans with ornaments and even original lamps in the form of ordinary lamps and spirals. Yes, and its functional has changed - instead of lighting - decor.

Wick and oil for the right lamp

It does not matter if you decide to buy a lamp or make it yourself, it is important to choose the right oil for the oil lamp, because it depends on it the quality of the product and the brightness of the lighting.

Today you can find a special lamp oil in the store. It can be of two types: on a vaseline basis (clear, transparent in appearance) and olive oil with impurities (more turbid), and if necessary use even ordinary sunflower. But in order for the oil to rise and evaporate well, it is important that the wick for the oil lamp be of good quality.

Oil lamps with own hands

Any handmade souvenirs were always appreciated much higher than the factory ones and distributed to the masses. This also applies to oil lamps, which is not difficult to do with one's own hands. Even if you have not done hand made before, you can easily cope, and your relatives and friends will be pleasantly surprised. For work you will need:

• Oil tank;
• Wick or lace;
• A large needle or hook;
• Support for the wick (wire, lid or cork).

Capacity any: it can be a beautiful little vase, a glass bottle or even an ordinary pot. As an ornament, you can apply glue on the outside with glitters, drawings, etc. In general, what comes to mind. And while the capacity dries up, go to the creation of a wick.

For this, take a woolen lace or special wick, which you can buy in stores. If you are making a lamp in the form of a bottle, it is better to use a cork or a metal cover, and a cork material is suitable for a vase, because it does not sink and almost does not burn. Using a needle or a crochet hook, thread it through the selected base so that the string protrudes 1.5-2 cm up, and the long end is no less than the distance to the bottom of your future lamp.

It only remains to fill the tank with oil, fix the wick and allow it to soak for a while. Your gift is ready!