Easter has come and gone but I can hardly bare to take down my eggs! I'd almost forgotten I had them and popped them up in the nick of time. I'd made them last year for an Easter Fund-raising event. A good use of some odds and end scraps. And I seem to have lots of them! It has been a LONG Cold winter and I'm home today, Sunday. I just tried to put my peas in but it was just too cold! drats. I'll have to wait a few more days.
Just sold this sweet shade, but had to pop it up here. Easter pretty! After our long winters the spring season does bring out all the colors! This lampshade was made with a vintage embroidery and trims to match or in my own quirky mismatch style! Hey, it can't be too matchy! What fun would that be....the fun part about designing anthing is picking out the fabrics, figuring out the trims and seeing what size and shape shade would work best for the fabric. If this shade was much larger it would loose it's sweetness.
Just finished this shade last week. The monogram suits this shape shade as well as the size of the frame. Monograms make great bedroom lampshades and this size hex bell 5 x 10 x 7.5, fits the mid size glass boudoir style lamps very well. I make custom monogram lampshades with my clients on linens; it is a fun way to use some of the treasures in your attic that you have NO idea what to do with. It doesn't even have to be your own initials; there are some beautiful ornate monograms to be found at the flea market or antique shops.
Speaking of Flea Markets, Brimfield is just around the corner! yikes. I have a great inventory thanks to keeping my head down this winter....I will be set up at The New England Motel Antique Show.
The New England Motel Show opens Wednesday, May 14th at daybreak..... darn, that's 6 am. Sorta early for me to arise....that means 4:15 am... sure makes for a long day! We are all excited; it's fun to get out and see all the spring treasures that the dealers have found as well as make some nice sales and connections with old friends and new. There are lots of hotels and motels in Sturbridge, Ma. if you need a place to stay and a little less $$ if you stay further away.
I am booth #67 if you want to come and say hi! It's left side facing the show. New England Motel Show is by the food court..... ALWAYS a good place to be!
Crazy for birds! Anything bird is good. Especially nice quality vintage needlepoints! This shade is similar to one I did a while back and happy to do another. It's trimmed with some hand marbled fabrics my student Cat gave me! I have been hoarding them for the perfect moments.
I bet some of you wonder if I ever make plain lampshades....YES, often. I made a pair of these square bell shades recently. They are clean, simple and really quite lovely in their simpleness. Made with homespun vintage linen that when lit show the lovely texture of the slubby linen. I do not always have many plain shades in my shop but make many for custom work. Some lamps just call out for something simple and then again.... I do love to mix patterns and trims the most! Much more fun to make!!!!
Lastly today, Machs General Store, our general store in Pawlet has been having some hard times. Many a general stores around the state have also found themselves in similar situations and have had to re-evaluate the changing retail times, poor local economies and business practices.
A group of local friends and business owners have come together to brainstorm and try to help salvage a wonderful old store. Our general store is the HUB of our community and an easy place to take for granted. But, boy we sure would miss it if it closed. It's the place to grab a cup of coffee and visit with friends or pick up a box of eggs and butter to finish making cookies.
I will do a longer post in the near future on the store. We are about to launch a "kickstarter like fund" and have a couple of events for June in the works. They are almost ready to announce. It actually is an exciting time in town! Sometimes bad things bring good things....it certainly brings the town together to solve the issues of the time. We have had a HUGE amount of interest in this new project...... as I say.... oh dear, how do I get myself into these things....yup, guess it's cause we care!
xoxo
judy
ps still no sunshine to plant my peas.... maybe it's time for a sunday nap!