The Lampshade Lady Blog

A Few Spots in March Workshops Left

March Workshops have a few spots left. Don't put it off, I know you guys like to wait till the last minute :) Space is limited. Call Judy at 802-325-6308 or email me at lakeslampshades.

Saturday March 7th: Drum Shade, 11am-3pm $85. all materials supplied except fabric.

Saturday March 14th: Paneled Fabric Workshop, 11am-5pm. $150. all materials supplied except fabric.We will be doing a medium size shade, shape of choice.

I had the first Drum Shade Workshop a couple of weeks ago. They were all great sports; it was the first time offering this class. There are several different ways of making drum shades which we discussed. We all made a drum shade that was 12" top by 12" bottom by 8 high or so. I also showed how to Re-cover an old empire shade as a bonus.

The photo here is from Mary at the Whistle Stop Antique Shop in Burlington; she took a Fabric Paneled Shade Workshop 2 weeks ago. I think this is only the first of many shades Mary will be making. This class was one of the greatest groups of ladies yet. Not only were they talented, but they had lots to say and shared their life stories. I am beginning to learn that my workshops are more than just making lampshades. The part I enjoy most is hearing everyone's stories and careers adventures and of course sharing my knowledge as a lampshade maker.

Judy's Painted Pantry with Ceiling Drum Shades

What to do with all those ceiling light bulbs..... they are so unsightly! Here is a great solution.

I have just finished painting my pantry! What a huge job. Carson my husband has used our pantry, kitchen and brick oven for his organic wood-fired pizza crust business over the past 14 years. Flour + Water = Glue..... What a mess it was after all those years. It took forever just prepping the pantry for painting. I think it looks really cute. I should have taken a before picture..... imagine lots of fly shit, cobwebs, flour moth trails.... you get the idea. It was yucky.

Carson took is on a 6-8 week retreat skiing in Taos... the lucky bum... it's well deserved and long overdue. So, it gave me a chance to rip the place apart and dig in. You have no idea how much stuff I had in there; what a nasty job and so many nooks and crannies. Bit by bit, Carson's business started to take over the space, note the big hobart mixer-still not sure how to paint around the beast.

All my days off were dedicated to painting.... otherwise it might be years till this job got done. Hey ladies, are you in the group that'll pick up a paint brush or hire it out.... I have friends in both catagories and good for you in the later group. But it does give a sense of satisfaction despite the turquoise hair and green finger nails...

Ceiling drum shade with clip adapter added and one of my push pin finials. Shade size is:
10" across the top x 10" across the bottom and only 6" high.
note: shades don't match... on purpose. One is a vintage French fabric from "Loody Lady" ebay name and the other is a Heather Bailey cotton print. I did not use a difuser on the bottom of the shade, I need all the light I can get in the dark pantry.

Lampshade Lady Book on Potter Craft Sales Cover

I had to show off the cover of the Potter Craft Summer 09 Sales catolog. My Lampshade Lady's book made the cover. What a surprise to open the oversized envelope at my little post office. I had no idea that I would be given such honors. I must say it looks great. This is one of my favorite photos we did this summer. I think it represents my design sensibility. A twist of classic with contemporary and never cliched. That is my ideal, but not always achieved but worth a try.
The fabric is a vintage polka dot found this spring at The Vintage Textile Show in Sturbridge. It is trimed with grosgrain and rick rack. And the best part is the corners. It has an experiment of beads and buttons made like dangly earings. It worked great. I need to do it more, must find more vintage buttons; a good excuse to go antiquing and bead shopping.
The lamp is vintage glass. I found it a few years ago on one of my antiquing ventures coming back to Vermont from Maine. When I found this lamp it was pretty ugly. It had these metal spokes coming off the bottom and some other unattractive metal parts. It had a good core design; I thought it had potential but needed work. I tried several times to make it work..... first it was too tall and tipy..... not good. And then it worked!!! Motto of the project, keep trying till you get it right.
Putting lamps together can be easy but more often than not it's a slog. I have many more unfinished good ideas in my back room. They are problems that I haven't solved- one of these days they will be used for the prefect part needed for another lamp.

Lampshade Lady Book Cover

I am so happy to be able to show you all my first book project. At last, The Lampshade Lady's Guide to Lighting up Your Life. It has utterly consumed my time the past couple of years, but mostly in a good way. It has challenged the me to go beyond my day to day shop life which is a really good thing. I always love challenges and it has certainly been humbling; those of us over 50 (just...over) that haven't always used computers........yikes. With the help of all my editors, Kathleen Hackett, my co-writer and wonderful photographers Ryan Benyi and George Bouret and most wonderfully the Potter Books design team I think we've put together a pretty sweet book and those of you that know me know that I don't like things too sweet, but just sweet enough- can't miss that little funk thrown in.
The book won't be out till August, but stay posted. It seems pretty close after all the hoops and jags. Come take a class and get a sneak preview of my projects. My February classes are almost full, but lots of room in March, April and May.

Everything Drum Shades

Drum Shades Questions/Ideas Abound: I have been getting lots of drum shade questions from lots of you. I will try to answer a few of them here. If you have made a drum shade, feel free to add your suggestions.
1. Drum shades can have the same top/bottom dimensions or may have a slight slant with bottom dimension a couple of inches larger than the top dimension.
2. Use a fabric with large motif. It is a good chance to use your wild fabrics or choose a nice white linen.
3. Can I use a drum shade for a pendant lamp? Drum shades are perfect and much more affordable than a chandelier. I have one over my work desk that is 16"across the top and bottom and 9" high.
4. How do I hang a pendant drum shade? I have one at home that is hardwired into my ceiling. I had my electrician install it for me. At my shop, the one over my desk is hanging on a cord with socket and plugged into the wall.
5. What type of lampshade top do I need? There are several possibilities for attaching the shades. An UNO socket and top is an easy way, although they are hard to buy the uno top that is wide enough. The largest they come is 10" which is not usually large enough. They can be special ordered. The uno top fixture is then screwed onto an uno socket.
The next to hang a drum shade is to use a washer top on the shade. You will need a 1" threaded rod, an edison socket and cord, and a threaded washer.
To do: a. put cord through the threaded washer
b. put cord through the threaded rod and tighten washer onto end of threaded rod
c. add shade by putting threaded rod w/ cord through the washer top of shade and screw the threaded rod into the bottom of the edison socker. Adjust to tighten so shade is snug between socket bottom and threaded screw.
d. attach the cord to the socket, then cord has 2 wires that will be screwed onto socket. One of the wires on the cord has a ridged side; this will be screwed around the silver screw on socket. The other wire is smooth and will be threaded onto the brass screw. Tighten both screws as tight as possible.
e. Add the top part of the brass socket. Listen for a double click to make sure the top part of the socket is securely in place.
f. Have electrician hardwire into ceiling.
6. I have bare light bulbs on my ceiling. What do you suggest? All too many homes have unattractive light bulbs hanging from ceilings. I am just in the process of painting my pantry and have 2 light bulbs that we have been living with for almost 20 years. After all my hard work of painting, I have just made 2 shades today to clip onto the light bulbs. I have made 2 shades with a washer top and added a clip adapter and decorative finial. The clip tops do not come wide enough, my shade measures 10" across the top x 10" across the bottom and 6" high. I think it will be a perfect size. I used one of my pushpin finials to go with the clip adapter. So the shade will clip on upside down and will see the finial on the bottom. I am looking forward to going home to see how they'll look. And of course the fabrics don't match..... one is a vintage french cottagey one and the other is Heather Bailey Design from Free Spirit Fabrics. It is the same print as the top photo here, but different dimensions.


Drum Shade with Amy Butler Print
(this is sold, but a nice example of a decorative combination)
7. How do I know how big to make my shade for a table or floor lamp?
Usually the shade should be 3-4 inches wider than the widest part of the lamp, this will depend on the size of the lamp and the effect you wish to create. I recently made a fantastic combination for a friend. She needed a shade for a tall thin lamp for her new studio. We decided to go for a drum shade that was only 5" tall and 10" across the top and bottom. If you can visualize this, it is quite funky. I loved the shape and so did the owner. It made a huge statement that she was trying to achieve in her new space.
8. Where do I buy supplies for Drum Shades and what will I need for materials?
The 2 good sources for lampshade materials that I use are: Fogg Lighting
and The Lamp Shop.
You will need to order styrene, grosgrain, pressure sensitive cloth tape aka bias trim backer, glue, glue bottle, washer top-clip top or uno top, and bottom wire. You will need the fabric you choose to use.
9. How much fabric will I need?
Measure the width of shade and multiply times 3.14 plus 1/2" for overlap. Example: 12" drum x 3.14= 37.68, round it up to 38" and add 1" for overlap, total 39" of fabric for 12" wide.
10. I want to use a stripe fabric for a drum shade.
If you use a stripe, consider which way you want the stripe to go, either up and down or around the shade and take this into consideration when ordering fabric.
11. What about trims on Drum Shades?
I have used some onion tassels and made a really girly shade just perfect to match the lamp. I've used other trim with 2 1/2" bobbles. Mix up trims-one for the top and a different one for the bottom or use no trims at all. Some of the ultra modern shades wrap the fabric right around the top and bottom of the shade; I just did this for my pantry. It will make less opportunity for dust to cling to.

I'm sure there are more drum shade questions, but hope this helps.

Finding Inspiration on a Below Zero Day or at least trying

Oh my goodness, how many more things can I do to distract myself from getting started working again. January is gone by at last and I am starting to feel the creative urges starting to gear up again. It's time to break out of hibernation. I think many crafts people take a creative break in January; we've been crazy busy up till Christmas getting orders out and shipped.

I enjoy taking a break from the day to day lampshade making. For sure, there is nobody around in January! I like to rethink the year, reevaluate new ideas, start writing on the blog, organize lampshade workshops in the shop. I am still putting off opening my "tax bag"; I'm giving myself another week for dealing with all those receipts and invoices.

Being an entrepreneur means having the drive to keep going and hope for the best. It's an interesting time for retail stores, which makes it even harder to get the inspiration to keep creating. I think that those of us that make unique, creative beautiful things will be the lucky ones. From all my observations customers will still want to find things to buy, but they will be more careful in their purchases and find the things they really LOVE. Or lets hope so, shop from your local artists and farmers. And Welcome February!

Making It in Vermont, Feb. Vacation Workshops

Winter Workshops: February Vacation Week part of The Greater Manchester Arts Council's Making It In Vermont. Call 802-362-6313 to register or go to the website and see the other workshops offered. www.greatermanchesterarts.org Lakes Lampshade Workshops are listed on prior blog entry.

This is a portion of the classes to be offered. Pawlet area workshops, many more on the G.M.A.C.'s website.

MONOPRINT WORKSHOP
Explore the spontaneous creativity
of Printmaking through the MONOPRINT
-a one day workshop

Instructor: Erika Lawlor
Date: Thursday, Feb. 19, 2009 or Friday, Feb. 20, 2009
Time: 10:00 am- 4:00 pm

Where: Green Hill Studio, Pawlet, VT (Directions to be provided upon registering)

Fee: $150
Supplies to Bring: All materials included


HANDMADE BOOK BASICS
Have some fun learning basic folding, pasting, and sewing techniques used to make original handmade books. This day-long workshop will include instruction and construction of two styles of books and an overview of book making tools, materials, and resource information. Pre-registration required. Limit: 6 participants.

Instructor: Elizabeth Cooper
Date: Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Time: 10-4
Where: Pawlet Art Collective, School Street, Pawlet, VT
Fee: $110 (includes all supplies)



PHOTOGRAPHY TECHNIQUES: LIGHT AND LIGHTING
This workshop will cover taking advantage of available lighting and the use of on Camera and studio lighting. Class limited to 8 participants.

Instructor: George Bouret
Date: Monday, February 16, 2009
Time: 9-5
Where: Pawlet Art Collective, 57 School Street, Pawlet, Vt
Fee: $125.00


George Bouret -I began my Photography education attending classes at New England School of Photography in 1981. Worked at the advertising studio of Leonard Silver Mfg. Co. from 1982 to 1985. Graduated from the School of the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston in 1991.I have supported myself as a Photographer specializing in Portrait, Architectural and my own Fine Art Photography since 1991. For more information about the program please feel free to call George at 518-642-3810

Elizabeth Cooper-Elizabeth is a naturalist-educator with a long time love of book arts and affinity for books and paper. Her experience in book arts has come from attending numerous book arts workshops including study at Penland School in North Carolina, and studio workshops with book binder-artists Daniel Kelm, Hedi Kyle, Linda Lembke, Bonnie Stahlecker, Suzanne Moore, and Barbara Mauriello. For more information about the workshop feel free to call Elizabeth at 802-235-1406 or email naturewalk@vermontel.net


Erika Schmidt-Erika Schmidt, MFA is a visual and performing artist, new to southern Vermont. She works in various innovative printmaking techniques at Green Hill Studio in Pawlet . Her work is shown and collected nationally. She is the recipient of numerous awards and commissions for her unique approach to the integration of art media. Visit greenhillstudio.com to learn more. For more information about her workshop email elschmidt1@vermontel.net

Lampshades at My House

Many moons ago, I started making paper lampshades. Cut and Pierced Shades. This is one of my old designs. It's hanging in there, bit they are always hard to photograph. The lamp is a pottery lamp by my friend Janno Gay of Flower Brook Pottery in Dorset, Vermont. The round ceramic stone in front of the lamp is A Sea Stone, by Marion Waldo McChesney, The Pawlet Potter.
I thought it might be fun to post a few shots from my house. Beware, I took these really fast before going to a party!!! And I only know how to crop on photo shop. There's lots more to learn.... anyway, enjoy. This is a Jamie Young Lamp with a linen drum shade. It is gives great light for reading.
A Marimekko square bell fabric shade shown on a found parts lamp I made a few years ago. This fabric started as a mini skirt, then was a scrapbook cover and now one of my favorite lampshades. Recycle and Reuse.
A very early Danish chandelier. I don't love these lampshades, but have yet to figure out what might be better. I do like the square shape, but am dying to change the fabric.
A vintage bathroom wall scone. A nickel fixture with a round mirror. The shade is a sweet vintage embroidery Hex Bell Clip with a french ribbon trim.
As you can see, these are very quick picks.... the grimy couch is about to be upholstered and can't wait. The dogs love it and it looks like it. The floor lamp was made locally and the shade is a vintage William Morris fabric with raspberry bead trim. The hanging shade is a scallop clip hanging upside down; sort of quirky.
Color, color. The brighter the better in this room. This is part of our kitchen/living space. We lost an important kitchen window years ago when we did an addition, so the lime green paint solved the dark kitchen. This lamp is a pottery lamp I got years ago at a craft show. A great shape, one of my favorites.
A drum shade in my library. A Robert Allen Fabric by Susan Sargent.
My bathroom window/table. Painted valance by our talented decorative art painter in West Pawlet, Roy Egg. No website, no answering machine, you'll just have to make the trek to West Pawlet. He's only open on weekends.... Lampshade to match the wall sconce.