The Lampshade Lady Blog

Lampshade Lady Loves her Flowers.... and look what the flood brought just outside my door!

Look at this dear little Hollyhock that has seeded itself right outside my door. So brave it is there just waiting for some little kid to knock it over!











Hi Betsy! Remember Betsy worked at The Station for all those years!
pretty hollyhocks! Maybe the restaurant will open one day! They are pouring the footings for the fancy retaining wall today and river looks beautiful. ps no photos of the back of my shop.... must sell lots of lampshades for new siding....


Summer is a busy time. Lots of shipping and making. I have several spots for my 2 workshops this fall. If you were hoping to come, don't procrastinate signing up. I will not be adding additional classes this fall. Email me at [email protected] if you want a spot. There is lots of info on the workshops several posts ago.

xo

judy

Fall 2012 Lampshade Workshops at Lake's Lampshades

 

 

Fall Workshop time is right around the corner. April workshops have come and gone. Lots of lampshades and friends were made. Students came from far and wide which amazes me, but 26 years of lampshade making does accumulate loads of knowledge and experience. I am the first to admit that I have done everything wrong once and maybe again. 

I am a self taught know it all.... oh I'm creative and will figure it out, she thinks... which I did, but YES, did do everything wrong and still make mistakes. But not as many and have more successes than defeats. I actually feel in a great spot as a designer and maker, but if I'd taken my workshop I would have shaved years off of the learning curve.

I have days like today that I don't get much done, friends visit, fabrics get ordered, UPS orders get boxed up, mail get picked up, my non-profit group calls on time, EBAY killed a few hours, emails get answered--- where did the day go to. A enjoyable day all in all.

 

                    Fall Workshops

 Two Day Lampshade Intensive, September 27th and 28th, Friday 11am-6pm and Sat.9:30am-3pm. includes all materials except fabric. cost $265.

This workshop is geared toward students interested in starting a business or working in the design field. I share my experiences starting a business, hitting the craft show circuit, marketing my business, working on my "Lampshade Lady Book", putting my business on ETSY, Brimfield Flea Market, lampshade fitting with adapting with tricks of the trade and as much other info I can cram into 2 days. If this is something you are interested in I suggest this 2 day workshop.

We will make 2 lampshades in 2 days. We start with a mid size 4 or 6 sided paneled hardback shade the first day. The second day you can decide the frame you would like to make. I also will demonstrate making a drum shade as well as an empire shade. They make up fast; this will give you a feel for how they are made. 

We will have a Vermont Local Cheese and Wine Tasting on Friday after our first day of hard work. This is a fun time to taste some of our area's finest local treats. 

All materials provided except fabric. I suggest a half yard for the first day's project and a yard for the second day. If you have lots of fabrics around, bring your favorites. This leads us into a "fabric" discussion for making shades. 100% cotton or linen. Vintage or new work the best. Vintage generally easier to work with than new; no sizing and often washed so many times that it is nice and soft.

One Day Lampshade Workshop, October 19th, Friday, 11am-5pm Cost: $165. includes all materials except fabric.

This is the perfect workshop if you are interested in learning to make lampshades and looking for a creative day. We will make a midsize hardback fabric lampshade. This is also the workshop if you are looking for a refresher class. It does not have the intensity of the 2 day workshop, but all in all you still learn a heck of a lot of info.

We start at 11 am and will run till about 5 pm.

As I say, I can teach you to make lampshades in a day, but it does take years to learn the lighting trade. And that's a good thing! Always something new to figure out.

Places to STAY: don't put this off during foliage....

Fall is a busy time in this neck of the woods. I do suggest that if you are interested in the workshop to try to think ahead as the hotels, motels and bed & breakfasts will fill up during foliage season. I recommend The Manchester Chamber of Commerce website; it is very through and informative with the zillions of lodging possiblities. Manchester is a straight shot to Pawlet, 25 minutes out RT 30 north. Dorset is a little closer-12 minutes. There is a nice B&B in Dorset called The Cornicopia, that my friend Mary Beth runs that I might suggest. It is right next to Janno's Flower Brook Pottery on RT 30 and around the corner from The Dorset Inn, The Dovetail Inn and The Dorset Union Store. There is also The Marble Inn West to consider; a nice quiet spot.

 

AIRPORTS:

Albany International Airport is the closest to the area. 

There is also Burlington International Airport, about 2.5 hour drive south.

Rutland, VT has a small but convenient airport if you don't mind the little planes. I have used it often and it is easy to link with Jet Blue. The company that flies is Cape Air. The best part is it is such a tiny airport the parking is free! Easy way to get here from Boston. Worth checking out.

****These 2 workshops generally fill up as space is limited. I ask for a 50% non refundable deposit and then the remainder to be paid a few weeks before arrival. Extra materials maybe purchased at the end of the workshop.

*To sign up for the workshop either call me at my shop, 802-325-6308 or email me at [email protected]. 

Happy almost summer. As we think in Vermont, Memorial Day is over and Summer is here.

XO

JUDY

 

 

 

 

April Lampshade Workshops at Lake's Lampshades

April Workshops are just around the corner.

Dates: April 13 &14 Lampshade Intensive $265.

           April 18th One Day Workshop $150.

At this point I have only 4 spots left in each workshop. If you were hoping to come please email me at [email protected] for a reservation or give me a call at 802-325-6308.

Treat yourself to a day or 2 to come play with fabrics and learn a new skill!

gotta get back to work,

xo

judy

2012 Workshop Schedule at Lake's Lampshades

            2012 Workshop Schedule at Lake's Lampshades

I will be offering 4 workshops in my studio/shop in Pawlet,VT. this year. These are the only workshops I will be teaching as I will be taking a year off from teaching in Nantucket. If you are interested I suggest you plan ahead. Fall foliage is a busy time and Inns and B&B's do fill up. April on the other hand is the bargain time to come. I love mid April as things are starting to pop out of the garden and spring planting arrives mid month.

April 13&14 (Fri. &Sat) Two Day Lampshade Intensive

time: 11am-6 Friday, 9am-3 Saturday

cost: $265, includes all materials except fabric, a Cheese & Wine tasting of some area goodies after we finish up on Friday.

location: Lake's Lampshades, 60 School ST. Pawlet, VT

       We will be making 2 lampshades in 2 days. We start with a mid size square or hex hardback fabric lampshade and the next day you can choose any frame in the shop.

I will share lots of lighting knowledge, tips on sizing, tips on starting a business and tons of tips to help make great lampshades. I will also do a demo on making drum shades; they are easy to make but it does help to see the process. The day generally starts with a discussion on fabrics and choosing which of our fabrics will work the best. If bringing new fabric, make sure to give it a wash and dry.

       This 2 day workshop is really helpful if you are a designer or interested in starting a small business or come for a day of playing with fabric and color.

 

April 18th, Wednesday

  One Day Lampshade Workshop at Lake's Lampshades

time: 11am-5pm

cost: $150, includes all materials except fabric

location: Lake's Lampshades, 60 School St, Pawlet, VT

         We will be making a mid-size square or hex hard back fabric lampshade. I will share lots of lighting knowledge, fabric choices, trims, sizing during this workshop. This workshop is a great starter for making lampshades. Everyone leaves with a finished shade!

 

Sept 28 & 29 (Fri and Sat) 2 Day Fall Foliage Lampshade Intensive 

time: 11am-6pm

cost: $265, includes all materials except fabric, also includes a wine and cheese tasting of our local goodies.

location: Lake's Lampshades, 60 School ST. Pawlet, VT

       We will be making 2 lampshades in 2 days. We start with a mid size square or hex hardback fabric lampshade and the next day you can choose any frame in the shop.

      I will share lots of lighting knowledge, tips on sizing, tips on starting a business and tons of tips to help make great lampshades. I will also do a demo on making drum shades; they are easy to make but it does help to see the process. The day generally starts with a discussion on fabrics and choosing which of our fabrics will work the best. If bringing new fabric, make sure to give it a wash and dry.

       This 2 day workshop is really helpful if you are a designer or interested in starting a small business or come for a day of playing with fabric and color.

     October 19th (Friday) One Day Workshop

time: 11am-5pm

cost: $150, includes all materials except fabric

location: Lake's Lampshades, 60 School St, Pawlet, VT

       We will be making a mid-size square or hex hard back fabric lampshade. I will share lots of lighting knowledge, fabric choices, trims, sizing during this workshop. This workshop is a great starter for making lampshades. Everyone leaves with a finished shade!

More Info:

I do ask for a non-refundable deposit of 50% at registration. My shop is small and can only take a limited number of students. I hate to do this, but live and learn.... :) To register, call the shop 802.325.6308 or email me: [email protected]. Feel free to call with any questions. Students bring lunch or head 2 doors over to Machs General Store to pick up something yummy.

Places to Stay:

The Manchester Chamber of Commerce has a very though website I recommend checking out: http://www.visitmanchestervt.com

There is a huge variety of hotels, inns, motels and b&b's available. My shop is 25 minutes from Manchester, a straight shot out RT 30 and 15 minutes from Dorset.

Just to mention a few notable ones that students of enjoyed:

The Inn at Manchester   802-362-1793

The Dovetail Bed and Breakfast     802-867-5747

The Manchester View Motel    802-362-2739

 

ALBANY AIRPORT is the closest airport to Pawlet. But also look into Burlington,VT. We also have a small airport into Rutland, VT. It is the tiniest airport ever! But that said, it is so convenient, but make sure you have an extra day, just in case they don't fly.... I use it and find it usually great (Cape Air)- it connects with Jet Blue.

Note on finding fabrics for the workshop. Check through my blog for good ideas. Always wash new fabric. Use cotton or linens, nothing silky. Always hold fabric up to light to see how it looks, sometimes you will be surprised- either good or bad. Hit the flea market, ebay or etsy or your favorite antique shop. Students often bring several things to choose from.

We have lots of fun and laughs in the workshops. The goal of the workshops is for me to teach you as much as I can squeeze into a day or 2, but at the end of the day it's also about a group of ladies getting together and having a fun time and meeting new friends.

hope you can join us,

judy lake

One Heck of a Crazy Fall at Lake's Lampshades & Workshop Dates for 2012

Okay, Okay, I know I have been way behind in blog posting. My days this fall have been full to over flowing. The Flood, The fundraising for the flood, 2 workshops and loads of custom orders have kept me crazy busy. This week has begun to feel like a regular work week and look what the shop floor looked like yesterday:

Some are orders and some are for shop inventory. I find if I'm making drum shades it's easiest to make a bunch at a time. I'd been stock piling a few projects and orders to do them all in one shot. Good thing I have LOTS of clothes pins from my workshop.
I found this vintage Japanese Fabric last Sunday in Woodstock Vermont at Who's Sylvia's. What a find! There's lots of yardage and so contemporary. It is super narrow, but perfect for drum shades. As well as the size of the motif is just right for drum shades as well.

Just Announcing Workshop Dates for 2012:

April: 2 Day Workshop: Friday 13th and Saturday 14th. Cost $265.

April: 1 Day Workshop: Wednesday 18th, Cost $150

Sept: 2 Day Workshop: Friday 28th and 29th Cost $265

Oct: 1 Day Workshop: Friday Oct 19th, Cost $150

Workshop info: The cost of the workshop includes all materials except fabric. You will need 1/2 yard of cotton or linen per shade. The one day workshops we will make a midsize shade- the shape of your choice. The 2 day workshop will start also with a midsize shade and the next day you will be able to choose the frame you wish to use and therefore perhaps needing up to a yard of fabric. Students usually bring several fabric options to choose from. We will learn which fabrics work best as well as many lighting tips and tricks.

I will post more info in the next few weeks, but just wanted to get a schedule posted. The cost of the classes is  NON-REFUNDABLE  (due to past experience). The size of my shop/studio is small limiting the size of the group. If you are interested, please call or email me.

We have a great time and if you want a creative day or think you would like to start a business these workshops will give you a super heads up in getting your feet off the ground. My line is: I can teach you to make lampshades in a day but it has taken me years to learn all there is to know about lighting!!! But thank goodness that has kept me interested for over 25 years. Always a new challenge and always trying to be a better designer.

In the past I have done a February Workshop. This year I decided to only do April, Sept and Oct. But if YOU would like to organize a group of friends or co-workers, 6 minimum 8 max. I would be happy to work with you to put a day workshop together. The cost would be $150 per student. I am pretty flexible Jan, Feb and first 2 weeks of March. I find it is most fun to use my shop rather than me come to you. The shop is loaded to the brim with fabrics and supplies and is the ultimate inspiration experience.

Here's a few fun pictures from October's Workshops:

Jan's Shade back at her antique shop in Missouri! Hope there will be many more.
Debbie's Bird Shade, Elizabeth's Blue Shade and my little White Embroidery Scallop Shade
Cyndy and her beautiful shade.
Elizabeth is putting her shade together.
Debbie and Jennifer finishing details on their shades.
Joyce finishing up her shade!
New friends were made and skills were learned. I try the best I can to keep everyone happy and on the right road to making good choices. Teaching was never something I thought would be my "thing" but I have enjoyed it more and more as I get more experience. It is nice to share my knowledge and pass it on to others. I am proud my students have come from all over the country. It is fun to hear everyone's stories and share our own.

Last news of the day: Molly has been to the vet, needless to say many hundreds of dollars later....has been spade and is almost back to her perky sweet self! Must say, she is the best climber I know.