Queensland mum transforms $2 op shop lamp with surprising $1 item

A Queensland mum has transformed an old lamp using kids' toys, and the result is extraordinary.

Kimberlee Maree has shared her crafting skills on the Facebook page Upcycleit.

In the 'before' photo we see an old grey lamp she purchased for $2 at her local op shop with some children's plastic animal toys attached to the base, including a giraffe, a horse, a turtle, a zebra, a lion and a tiger.

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Also fastened to the display are some plastic plants that usually come with the toy range, which she bought for $1 for the pack.

Next, Kimberlee has spray-painted the entire lamp and the toys gold, then placed a white lamp shade on it.

The result is stunning.

Her post showing the lamp transformation has been shared 1,400 times, with more than 3,000 commenting on her craft skills.

"I love this!" writes one. "Well done."

"This is why I can't get rid of any of the kids old toys," comments another. "One day I am definitely doing that. A superhero one too. Love it, great job."

"Great! I have seen a similar idea with small toys/cars/lego bricks glued around a picture frame then spray painted," says another.

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Speaking to 9Honey, Kimberlee says she has "always been creative" and got the idea for the lamp refurbishment after seeing similar attempts using toy army men.

"I was going to try that but tweak it so it was my own creation, but whilst on one of my op shop expeditions I came across the bag of jungle/farm animals and the idea ventured from that," she explains.

Kimberlee has since made many different things for around her home, including a similar lamp with a black shade and a blue piggy bank using a balloon and paper mache.

"I do a lot of paintings and I also taught myself to crochet carnation flowers," she adds.

"I have made many different things," she says.

"This was a first for me though, and I don't believe it will be the last," she continues.

Since sharing the result on Facebook, she has had "so many requests" from people wanting her to make lamps for them.

"I have one lady that would like me to do two safari-themed lamps for her baby nursery," she says. "I've had so many people wanting to buy my lamp as well."

The Queensland mum says she is "extremely budget conscious" as she is on a disability support pension "so money is rather tight".

"The advantage of op shopping is the variety of treasures I find at bargain prices," she says. "As the saying goes, 'One person's trash is another person's treasure.'

"I also keep an eye out on Facebook Marketplace for giveaway stuff," she continues. "Just yesterday I picked up a bag full of mixed animals for free."