The Lampshade Lady Blog

It's Already Time for Pawlet's Art On the Green, Sat.Sept 4th 10-4 Pawlet Village, VT

The secret is out! The best place to buy great art  is directly from local artists at our own Art on The Green in Pawlet Village. It starts at 10 am and runs till 4pm. Customers have been known to swarm Brian Sweetland for first dibs on his very collectible oil paintings. Hopefully our own Arthur Jones will be setting up, Marion Waldo McChesney, Sue Wright, George Bouret and many more. I haven't seen the list of artists this year, but be well assured there will be a nice collection of artists.

The art show is a benefit for our local school scholarship program. A % of sales will benefit the nonprofit organization.

I will stay in my shop as I am just down the road, too crazy to pack up and move 50 feet. The Solon Gallery, (just across from my shop) will be open, too. It's a fun day to see the village so busy. Parking can be tight; there is extra parking at the Pawlet Church- turn right onto RT 133 and there is lots of parking. 

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 4TH, 10-4 RAIN OR SHINE PAWLET VILLAGE VERMONT

A Peak into Lake's Lampshades

Here's my first adventure into video. I'd say there is lots of room for improvement!!!

A Delightful Surprise, Gift of a Hand Bound Lampshade Lady Book

This Saturday I had a wonderful surprise. My good friend Karl is a book binder that specializes in Book Art and Book Conservation. When my book came out almost a year ago he had promised me a hand -bound book by taking my book apart and re-working it. I left all of the details up to him as this is where his expertise lies. And how fun to be surprised!
Karl  Eberth is presenting my book and explaining the design. He has used a wonderful marbled paper that has been block printed on top of the marbling. You can see the shape of a lampshade when the book is opened up. Carl did 2 books, one for me and one for my folks. He only does one or 2 books like this a year. I have always loved marbled paper; even the time I tried doing it in my kitchen and it all ended up on my floor and gave it a green tint..... The spin is my most favorite part. He has use Chinese Tea Paper and hand lettered my name and Title of the book; very chic!!!! The silver spine of the book is over the top elegant. I love it. When I was a kid my family moved into this big old farm house in Maine and the front hallway had been wall papered in garish gold and silver tea paper. I remember seeing some in the attic.
Detail of the paper and spine. Oh, that hand letter press... If all the books looked this great. I love my book, but as an artist this is beautiful!  You can't really see it in my photo here, but there is an alphabet paper used between the spin and the marbled paper. Karl Eberth of West Pawlet, VT specializes in conserving rare books for collectors and library collections of Williams, Middlebury, Yale, Harvard, etc. I hope I have this right. No website, but his number is 802-645-0222. I highly recommend Karl. He's not only super talented but a nice guy to boot.
a peak inside, embroidery cut corner cottage shade on right w/ chenille how to on the left.
I love looking back at some of my book photos, especially ones like this that fell together like magic. This shot was our first one on a cool morning after unbearable heat and humidity. One of my favorites.

I love this shot too. It was one of the first I did with photographer Ryan Benyi. Lucky for me I just found a lovely candlewicking spread and sham. I've used it for one large shade and have another lined up on my worktable.

EVENTS NOTE:   I'll be up in Middlebury, Vermont on Friday for there Friday Night Art Stroll. I am bring up a clutch of new work and a pile of books. If your in the area come visit at the darling shop, The Guilded Cage. 5-7PM. It is on the main street across from The Alpine Shop.

Antiquing My Way to Maine

It takes most people only 4-5 hours to make their way to Maine from Southern Vermont. I like going the back roads in search of not too fancy lamps with lots of character. I stroll home with about an 8 hour trip; best ever scones and coffee in Woodstock, flea market,  late lunch savoring my first Maine Italian Sandwich and lots of antiquing.

Here is the grouping of lamps I found on my trip. All in all, it was a productive trip. I was also on the hunt for fabrics and embroideries, but only found a few nice pieces. The lamps are sitting on a nice big cotton hunt scene I found at Cornish Trading, my all time favorite antique shop. Cornish Trading is on  RT 25, close to the Me/Nh Border. The Hunt Scene has a nice hand to it and ought to make up well into lampshades. I picked up 5 more lamps there, too...... yipee. Time to get out the clear cords and start rewiring.

A new shade in my shop. A vintage crewel piece. Good colors w/ gold braid. Square Bell washer top. This one won't last long. Shade is $150.
Detail of crewel work. 

 2 cut corner rectangle w/ antique linen grain sacks. $135 each. Very chic and wonderful. These guys are the real deal; I can barely keep them in stock.

Scallop Hex Clip, vintage apron fabric w/ mini pom poms and embroidery insert fabric used for self trim. 7 inches high and 10 inch bottom. $85.

Another hex scallop w/ vintage European cottons and mini poms. I have a pair of these lamps and shades. Give a call to the shop if interested. 802-325-6308 or email.
one more scallop hex. Vintage French knots, 4 top x 8 bottom and 6 inch high. $75. Vintage pink lamp, rewired $58.

Just finished this beauty before heading to Maine. It's funny how the design process works. Mostly by the seat of my pants.... not really, but sometimes it feels that way. This is a super sweet crewel. As usual, I knew it would go together great, but WHAT to trim it with??? to make it or break it. I've used this new fabric before to make self trims. I think it "made it", certainly not always so easy.
Detail of crewel. Shade is $150. Love it.

Just had to slip Fini in today's blog. He seems to find the sweetest places to snuggle. This is on a rainy day last week and he's keeping warm under the heat of this little lamp.

last shot of the day. I know you guys are super interested in more drum shades. YES, I PROMISE I will show more HOW TOS and info on hanging drum shades. I go in spurts making drum shades. I have them all over my house, but they can be a slow to sell in my shop as my clients are a little more conservative, sometimes.

This is a lime dot from Susan Sargent's fabric with a trim I found at MJ Trim (although not on their website). I've used the trim lots of times; one of those handy, perfect finishes for a lively shade. This shade is $95. It is 12 x 12 x 8. (top x bottom x high= how to write lampshade measurements) the trim adds another inch or so.

Promises of more drum shades soon!

xoxo,

judy lake