Opaque medium for lights

[KarlB]

Since making a night light last year, I'm interested in making more.  I would like to know what is normally used for the opaque medium behind the scrolled pattern?  I know glass is a good medium, but more than I want to spend when doing four sided lights.

I've heard about rice paper or shoji (?) paper, but unsure of it's attributes.

What is commonly used and how is it applied?

Karl

[MadHatter]

good question karl. ive read somewhere bout rice paper awhile back being used, but i thats all i remember. im sure some of our talented members may know more and can help you out.

[Kepy]

I have used fabric as it gives you a large variety of colors and styles.  It will fade over time though.

[BilltheDiver]

I have used clear acrylic sheets (like plexiglass).  They can be cut on the scrollsaw if you slow the speed down.  You can also buy spray cans of frosting material if you want diffusion. 

[Leldon]

I haven't done it, but I have seen people sand the plexiglass with fine grit sandpaper to give it a frosted look. I think that would be able to defuse the light enough.  Also, I'm not at all sure if this would work, but hobby lobby sells thin, maybe 1/16" or 1/32" clear acrylic that might be able to sand and give the frosted look and is cheaper and much thinner than the plexiglass. Just an idea!

Leldon

[Russ C]

You can use glass stains on clear acrylic to add color. You can by them at both at Michaels. 

[julief]

I read somewhere to use textured paper.  Like a heavy bond stationary.  I made Steve's pumpkin luminaries last year and just used copy paper.  It worked just fine.