For this project, we will apply a clever jigging technique that turns an embroidery hoop into a band clamp. The high tack of wood glue will grab the veneer better than regular white PVA, and it's higher viscosity doesn't soak through and warp the wood.

Step 1: Materials Needed

I used the following supplies and tools for this project

Step 2: Process and Assembly

Cut the wood Veneer into strips 9" x 1/2" strips. Depending on the diameter of your hoop you could probably play with the dimensions of your veneer strips and shapes. I taped the veneer down with easy to remove masking tape so it didn't skip around while I was cutting it.

I had found two different kinds of wood veneer - maple and walnut. The maple was a pale yellow, and the walnut had a more reddish color quality. Using pieces of masking tape and a straight edge as a guide, stick your veneer slats to the tacky side of a tape strip. This will help align parts in the hoop, as well as create a masked barrier so that the veneer only sticks to the inner embroidery hoop, not the outer band clamp.

Expand the hoop as large as the set screw allows without the hoop coming open completely. Line up the taped veneer flush with the edge of the embroidery hoop, apply a thin bead of glue to the base of the veneer strip on the untaped side, as well as on the outer diameter of the inner hoop. Place the veneer slats between the rings of the bottom hoop. Tighten the setscrew to hold slats in place. Allow to cure for at least 30 minutes.

Releases the slats from the clamp, and repeat on the other side. Before continuing on make sure the glue is completely set.

To create the top of the pendant shade, use another piece of veneer. Trace the outer diameter of the light fixture's threading in the center of the veneer, then trace the outer diameter of the hoop. Cut down the form using a razor blade.

Fit the veneer top so that your edges align, then glue it down. Turn the shade upside down and allow to cure so that the weight of the lamp shade is pushing down onto the veneer. Allow to cure completely.

After the glue has fully set to strength, thread the fixture through the hole in the top of the shade, and screw in down the flange of the pendant lamp.

Remember, wood glue has a different tack than other PVA glues, and is designed to penetrate and grab untreated wood fibers under pressure, so be sure to always clamp your pieces super tight!

Step 3: Finish and Hang

Before hanging, I decided to protect the veneer with a couple coats of clear acrylic gloss. Whenever picking up a spray can, for any job, it's important to look at how much time you should wait between coats, and how long it takes to cure completely.

Hang the completed pendant somewhere! The mounting hardware that came with it is pretty heavy duty, so I opted for some more discreet mounting hooks. There is lots of room for interpretation and iteration of this concept.

For more really creative ways to use adhesive, be sure to check out the Glue Class.

Can't wait to see how you guys remix this project!