DIY grow-your-own mycelium lampshades using GIY kits with agricultural waste for indoor herb lighting

Your Grow-It-Yourself (GIY) kit is the foundation for this project. It typically contains a bag of dehydrated agricultural waste, such as hemp hurd or corn husks, and a separate packet of dormant mycelium. Before you begin, find a suitable mold for your lampshade; two nested plastic or metal bowls work perfectly, with the space between them forming the shape. You will also need gloves, rubbing alcohol, flour, and water.

Start by thoroughly cleaning your workspace, your hands, and the inside and outside of your chosen bowls with rubbing alcohol. This sanitation step is critical to prevent contamination from competing molds or bacteria. Prepare your mold by applying a very thin layer of cooking oil to the inside of the larger bowl and the outside of the smaller bowl to ensure the finished lampshade can be removed easily.

Next, activate the mycelium mixture. Following your kit’s instructions, add the specified amount of water and a small amount of flour (usually a tablespoon) to the bag of agricultural waste. The flour provides an initial nutrient boost for the mycelium. Seal the bag and shake it vigorously to evenly distribute the moisture. Now, crumble the dormant mycelium from its packet into the bag. Reseal and mix again, ensuring the mycelium is thoroughly integrated with the damp substrate.

Firmly pack this mixture into the space between your nested bowls. Press down hard to eliminate any air pockets, as this ensures a strong, solid final product. To create the central hole for the light fixture, you can place a small, greased cylinder (like a spice jar or PVC pipe offcut) in the center top of the mold before packing around it.

Once packed, place the entire mold into the plastic grow bag that came with your kit or cover it loosely. Set it in a dark place at a stable room temperature, ideally between 68-75°F. Over the next four to seven days, the mycelium will grow, digesting the agricultural waste and binding it together. You will see a dense, white, velvety network colonizing the substrate. The lampshade is ready for the next step when it is completely white and feels firm to the touch.

Carefully de-mold your lampshade. It