Every housewife dreams that the house was warm and cozy. But sometimes it’s not easy to choose accessories to create the very necessary comfort. A special role in creating a competent interior is played by the choice of lighting. Today, there are many options for this: sconces, table lamps, original chandeliers and shades. And for lovers of twilight and a romantic setting, an oil lamp is perfect. Unlike all the options listed above, it serves more as an original element of decor than as a lighting device. Although it all depends on the size and wick. Some of these lamps are quite bright.
What is an oil lamp?
Is it a familiar name that immediately evokes a certain image in your head? In fact, the oil lamp was far from always the way we used to imagine it. From the name it is clear that such a lamp works due to the combustion of fat or oil. The principle of its operation is similar to the device of a kerosene lamp - a tank with fuel, a wick and physics, according to the laws of which, oil or fat always goes up the fibers.
About the use of lamps
The first oil lamps appeared in the Paleolithic era, only then they were made of clay, stones, copper, and later other metals. Such lamps were popular among the Eskimos, and until the 19th century, slightly modified, they were used as a fire watch (by analogy with the sun).
In Russia and Canada, the so-called kudliks are widely used - stone cups with a wick dipped in them and filled with fat, oil or lard. In some places they are still used, and the peoples of the north with the help of such lamps have learned to heat their homes.
Today, an oil lamp is no longer so popular, and it looks different: all kinds of candles, bottles, cans with decorations and even original lamps in the form of ordinary lamps and spirals. And its functionality has changed - instead of lighting - decor.
Wick and oil for the right lamp
It doesn’t matter whether you decide to buy a lamp or make it yourself, it is important to choose the right oil for the oil lamp, because the quality of the product and the brightness of the lighting depend on it.
Today you can find in the store a special lamp oil. It is of two types: on a vaseline basis (pure, transparent in appearance) and olive with impurities (more cloudy), and if necessary, even ordinary sunflower is used. But in order for the oil to rise and evaporate well, it is important that the wick for the oil lamp be of high quality.
DIY oil lamps
Any handmade souvenirs have always been valued much higher than factory and common to the masses. This also applies to oil lamps, which are very easy to do with your own hands. Even if you did not do hand made before, you can easily cope, and your relatives and friends will be pleasantly surprised. For work you will need:
- capacity for oil;
- wick or string;
- large needle or hook;
- support for the wick (wire, cover or cork).
Any capacity is suitable: it can be a beautiful small vase, a glass bottle or even an ordinary jar. As an adornment, you can use glue to apply sparkles, drawings, etc. to the outside. In general, what comes to mind. In the meantime, the container dries up, proceed to create a wick.
To do this, take a woolen lace or a special wick, which can be bought in stores. If you make a lamp in the shape of a bottle, it is better to use a cork or a metal cover, and cork material is suitable for a vase, because it does not sink and almost does not burn. Using a needle or 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 remains only to fill the container with oil, fix the wick and allow it to soak for some time. Your gift is ready!