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
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