The Lampshade Lady Blog

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

 

 

 

 

Memorial Day Weekend at Lake's Lampshades

Here's a funky toille lamp I found this winter. I cleaned it up a little with some linen paint and added a new base. I'm still working on the shade, next photo. I am going to use the needle point, but still need to source the linen for the sides.
Needlepoint front panel for the shade and ??? for the sides. Sometimes things are a slow process!
Just finished this funky lamp and shade. Love the Japanese Gauze fabric with this wacky lamp.
Just made this shade this week. Lovely hand embroidered antique linen. Quite exquisite.
Vintage Grainsack Rectangle in the back and Uno Scallop Shade in front. All shades are available at my Etsy Store, Lampshade Lady.
a table full of shades
loving this combo. Lamp is a new arrival. I do have a pair of these right now.
front porch at the shop
flag reflection in the front window, Happy Memorial Day.
it's reflecting in this window, too. looks watercolory.
sweet cottage chenille shade
vintage grainsacks......never have enough.
last shade made today! persimmon vintage floral hex bell. Made from a small piece of choice vintage cotton, only enough for ONE shade... the story of my business. But then your neighbors won't have one:)

Enjoy the weekend.

I'll take Monday off, but here tomorrow, Sunday.

xo

judy

To Brimfield and Back: good to go and great to get home!

Last week was May Brimfield Week. I poked my way down to Brimfield Tuesday morning in pouring rain; no need to hurry in this weather. Great timing, rain let up just enough to unpack my car. It was super easy unloading. I was able to pull right up to my tent without any trouble. phew, that was a relief.
If you haven't been to Brimfield before the show is 21 flea markets/antique shows along a one mile strip. The shows open at staggered times creating a frenzy of shoppers racing to the next show that opens or perhaps running the other way to avoid the chaos.
Honda Elements are pretty ugly cars, but look how much they hold. Deep breath and time to unload and style my booth. I only do this one show now. I've done so many craft shows over the years and paid my dues. I'm at the point that I enjoy doing one show a year and happy to be at my shop the rest of the year. Happy to go and happy to get back to Pawlet.

Presto, booth is set up! It is so hard to get started.... where to put everything. Note to self: if they can't see it they won't buy it....

From where I was perched all week.... Brimfield is great people watching....I must be stuck in rural Vermont for too long... 2 booths over from me was a booth setup for a DYI Tv show, The Bronson Pinchot Project. I was clueless who Bronson was as I'd never seen the show or his sitcom shows back in his "day". But it was fun to watch the crew set up shoots and interview shoppers. Camera guy is next to the stop sign. I will watch the show to check it out, Saturday 10:30 pm. He uses architectural pieces in his projects. They had some very attractive columns in their booth.
Finials
more finials, ooh, I sold that great lamp, miss that one!
new grainbag chandelier shades. I will be making more of these. (bottom left) great interest.
friends down from Vermont to shop!
Lots of grainbag shades.
Pretty French Fabric Shades

A few goodies I found and bought.

Phillipa ready for customers!
It's starting to look like blue sky!!!
tempted to pick a few of these up! drats, I should have....coulda, shoulda....cool idea for lamps.
These were pretty, too. Love the blue. Too expensive for my budget.
Here's a cool idea. Wonder how they drilled that hole? It's hard to find nice tall lamps. This was just down from my booth. Nice isn't it.
And then there were the stories of art found and art sold.... can you imagine carring this 50lb art bible around. ooh the stories at Brimfield. Glad I only sell lampshades...but the thrill of the hunt for that one valuable piece of art found for pennies and cashed in for big $$$$!
And then all of the Brimfield Police arrived for a situation... rumor has it was for counterfit $$$. These guys were just off to the left of my booth. Never seen this before. I think they let the guy off???? as rumor had it. pretty interesting. One good thing about only selling lampshades. My customers are great!!!
I found this cool, funky lamp one morning. Reminds me of anemones. Might need a funkier shade; I've got some Japanese Turquoise Dot fabric that I think will be perfect.
easy lunch when things get busy. I'd highly recommend this Almond Butter. yummy. My friend Scarlett told me I must try it. wow. devine with Suzie's Spelt crackers.

Found this linen Saturday morning. I hadn't picked up much fabric and needed a little inspiration.
And that led me to pick up a few more small little French treasures. It is hard to shop when you are at the show alone.... not easy to get away. I could have shopped Sunday morning on my way home, but enough dust and grim and ready to hit the road and get back to green Vermont. It was a fast, fun week and now I'm putting my shop back together. Cleaning and vaccuming; trying to make it look fresh. Molly & Muffin are happy I am back in the shop!

2012 Spring Brimfield Starts Next Week

Time to think about Fall Workshops.... I will try to get an information post out in the next few days. Spring workshops have come and gone. Full groups for both classes. Great lampshades made, lots of new friends met and stories shared. I think we all had a fun time and learned how to make hard back lampshades and as much lighting info I could squeeze in to the days.

Look what I found yesterday as I was working in my yard! What a treat. I've just gotten a newsletter out to my mailing list, I think... our emails change faster than I can keep up with. So if you didn't get the newsletter, join my Lake's Lampshades Face Book Page.

I am prepping and finishing up orders before I head off to Brimfield Flea Market. The piles of lampshades and other needed props are starting to collect. The long lists of NOT To Forget things... electric tea kettle, duck tape, extra socks, bottle of wine, etc. I'll be set up at The New England Motel Show, Booth 54. It's  in the front, left side if you are facing the show. New England Motel Show is the one by the food court!!! Always important and in the middle of all of the shows. The show opens at Day Break on Wednesday the 9th, damn.... Not sure I function much at that hour....and the customer at that hour isn't my customer, oh well, we have to be there.....

Please let the weather be warm but not too warm, dry but not too dry....not wet... The spring flea market is fun. Everyone is happy to get out and show their wares they've procured all winter. I've been making some awesome drum grainbag shades, some really pretty French fabric bell shades, some great embroidery shades, etc. And hope to cruise around a little myself to look for fabric.

If you come, bring water, money, comfortable shoes, a cart to carry stuff, money, did I say money again.... yikes. I always run out of money shopping no matter how much I bring.... I would stowe a little away in my car for tolls and food on the way home. Most dealers will take a check too. I take credit cards which is helpful for customers.

hope to see you,

judy

 

B