The Lampshade Lady Blog

Lampshade Workshop Update Winter/Spring 2009

2009 winter/spring workshop update: still room and reservations a must due to shop size, don't wait they are filling:)

February 14th, Saturday:Valentines Day treat! Fabric Hardback Paneled Shade Class: 11am-5pm $150 includes all but fabric

February 17th, Tuesday: Funky Drum Shade Class 11am-3pm $85 includes all but fabric

March 7th, Saturday 11am-3pm, due to popular demand, I have just added another Funky Drum Lampshade Workshop, $85. Includes all but fabric. You will need 1 1/2 yds of cotton or linen fabric.

March 14th, Saturday: Fabric Hardback Paneled Shade Class: 11am-5 pm $150 includes all but fabric

April 11th, Saturday, An Easter Treat: Fabric Hardback Paneled Shade Class: 11am -5pm $150 includes all but fabric

May 16th, Saturday: Fabric Hardback Paneled Shade Class: 11am-5pm $150 includes all but fabric

Notes: prepayment is necessary to hold space for class. Shop is chilly, drafty so dress warm. You may want to bring scissors as my are in various stages of sharpness... The general store is 2 doors down if you want to get lunch. The tea pot is always on in the shop and hopefully cookies, too.
Students will receive lots of lighting/ lampshade info as well as printed directions and sources for materials. Lampshades materials may be purchased at time of class for additional shades.
Feel free to call the shop for more info or lodging suggestions. 802-325-6308

Floral Lampshades, Chintz, Chenille and Society Silks

This is the time of year that I get to do what I want!!!! It's freezing cold, pretty quiet here in this little village. Orders are slowing down, so I get to finally play with my favorite textiles. Some chenille I like better than others and this one is the sweetest. I was able to make this shade and 2 other big square bells (16" across the bottom and 12" high) with this big old spread; it had a few stains and holes I had to jump around. No problems. See how the trim is using the edge of the chenille spread.
I found this pretty, pretty violet society silk embroidery at the Flea Mkt. this summer. I had been dying to get my hands on it. These make the greatest shades. Always a hit. But the violets have a special place in my heart. I have a whole stack of little round embroideries from this same company; they are almost too small to use, but will work for candleabra shade.
I used a purple velvet over a moss grosgrain. Also incorporated some of the embroidery into the vertical self-trims.
This lovely shade... a Dutch Vintage Chintz looks fantastic in my shop. The walls are California Lilac from Benjamin Moore Paints. Classically modern.... or..............cottagey. A pretty fabric in any case. I have used a Sis Boom fabric for the self-trim. Wasn't sure if it would be too much at first, but worked great. The trims can make a shade fly or head for the sale bin pretty quick if they are a miss. And it is so easy to miss. That's where my 20 years helps out or one would hope:)

Oh, how do I catch up.... hope you haven't forgotten me

I searched high and low for this black and white cotton fabric. I finally broke down and ordered it from Stockholm. Once a textile addict. Check out the website Tio Gruppen. Shipping was outrageously expensive, but if you gotta have it. Over my January break, I tried my hand at slipcovering and used some of this cool fabric. Well....... the really ugly chair I covered looks 1000% better, but by no means perfect. Actually, I love it. It is still only basted together, yikes, guess it's time to get the sewing machine out. One of these days it'll get finished....
check out the shelf paper I found this summer . works great to line this new shelf in my shop. I've been busy using some of my treasured french fabrics. Also, the boat shades are the least offensive nautical motif I could find.... not easy.
bring the colors on. I've recently dragged this old pine shelf out of the barn and given it a coat of bright pain. It actually holds lots of shades and it is pretty funky and so useful.
Displays are always tricky. I am forever trying to find the easiest way show these buggers for visitors; to really be able to see them. I am the first to admit, my shop can be a visual overload. Years ago I had these wonderful visitors that walked in mini-circles (shop is tiny) and finally said about an hour later, " you really have to spend time in here to see how much you have in here". Now that was a great comment. Loved it.