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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 judylake@vermontel.net 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
Lightbulb 101
I get asked often, oh Judy, how will I be able to attach my clip on lamp shade with the new energy effcient light bulbs? A question I too asked a bunch of years ago. An energy specialist friend was working across the street from my shop and I posed this question to him. He said, wait a minute and I'll show you. He came back with the light bulbs similar to the 2 light bulbs on the left in the photo above.
The 2 light bulbs on the left are CFL, compact florescent light bulbs. The squirrely part is encapsulated inside the glass and works similar to a regular light bulb that we are familiar with. And the shades clip right on as usual. The are a little more expensive but last for a long time. NOTE: I found that if they break the outside shell might protect the inside coil part from spreading hazardous waste.
I was just reading on my Twitter feed that there is a new LED light bulb coming out that looks just like the round light bulbs, not sure if they are in the market place yet. This is exciting and they were priced at $4 something. I am interested in seeing what their light will be like as this is where we all will be headed eventually. I've just taken down my holiday wreath with it's LED Christmas lights that were just so, so. Not too bright. With time I'm sure improvements will be made.
Yes, there is one good thing about the new light bulbs....they do not heat up a lampshade. I specialize in small lampshades and often find customers put too high a wattage in a small shade. And they wonder why the shade has cracked and turned brown or maybe even melted..... The new bulbs are fantastic for this issue. I did a test last summer on a tricky lamp that the light bulbs close the the edge of the shade. Perfect, no heat and no browning with the CFL light bulb.
Since I am sharing some lighting content, might as well share this handy tip of making your lampshade fit perfect. The adapter on the left will convert a candle light bulb socket to a regular size light bulb.
The adapter on the right is super handy. If your shade is sitting too low, screw this into your socket and it will rise the shade up about an inch or so. Yay, you'll be so happy and what an easy fix. I have them in stock or go to your favorite lighting store.
Time for tea! Molly says this was sort of a boring post, but maybe it will help solve your lighting issues.
xo,
Judy
Have you been to Etsy? I think most folks under 40 know about Etsy, but those over.... As you most likely know, I have been figuring out Etsy since the very end of December. There is a learning curve and there is does and don'ts of Etsy.
January & February & March & April can be slow times for most crafts people, not just myself. I've actually had a handful of shoppers in the shop today. Yay. But often it's me and kitty. Yes, I have more than enough to do, but I am hooked on ETSy.
I have spent the past year observing and researching my product on Etsy. There is a huge range of product- some great and others kind of yucky. Some very inexpensive and some way high. I'd say I fall somewhere in the middle.
a work in progress, finished these today and posted on my Lampshade Lady Etsy Store!
I have also started buying from Etsy as well as Ebay. I have had good luck with both, but somehow the Etsy seller is a little nicer and the packages are always wrapped with a little something special or a little note attached. Very friendly gang.
Finished this today, too. And posted up on Etsy.
And these, too. I'm so happy to finally had a chance to use this beautiful silk embroidery. Perfect for Valentine's Day.
On Etsy artisans or collectors join "Circles" sort of like giving the "like" symbol on Face Book. You join a Circle of like minded artisans or ones you admire. It is also a nice way to make contact with fellow craft friends. I have heard from several lampshade makers that have bought my Lampshade Lady Book and started making lampshades and a business. Every day I get a handful of emails with "how-to" questions or whatever and now it's fun to see them up and running.
Finished these shades at the beginning of the week and put them up on Etsy.
Gosh, why didn't I do this a few years ago.... it does take time as does my blog, but I think they go hand in hand for promoting a rural craft business. LOVE it. This time of year it's easy to fill orders and make fresh inventory, not sure what will happen as my season gets busy.
Etsy has a HUGE reach. The world.... and the world does become a smaller place. Hope you check out Etsy if you haven't been there and see my Lampshade Lady Etsy Page
happy valentines day,
xo
judy lake
I love my walks up The Pawlet Mountain Road. This is my most favorite spot on my walk. Someday I'd love a painting of this little vista of the village. Cute isn't it; the church steeple, the town hall, the library, my shop... the bird's eye view. Many of us make this hill climb our challenge. Often on Sundays I see the regular hill walkers. It's a good heft; it's a big UP and then a nice Down. So much easier to go up first and look forward to the down. My road near my house is a down first and then the up...
The view of Haystack. Our local landmark and favorite family hike.
I love the barns and out buildings.
It seems like my walk is beautiful all times of the year. Even this year with NO snow. How bizzare this is, but makes for great walking. Sunday was a bluebird day; just beautiful, no ice, stripped down to my sweater on the way up with a chilly north wind on the hike down.
Our one lane bridge. No worry, it's not usually a traffic jam.
And bet the owners of these doors don't know how much I love this color! Pretty isn't it. Every time I go by I savor the weathered green blues of these doors as I'm heading to finish up my walk. An hour up on the hill and it's time to get some chores done.
till next time,
judy lake
ps there is snow up at the ski areas, please come!