The Lampshade Lady Blog

As the Days Get Darker The Lampshades Get Brighter

Today! Yes, it's time to brighten up our lighting this time of year. Cheerful, bright and fun. As the days get shorter most of us need more sunshine and natural lighting. My customers often tell me how bright and happy my shop is and I reply, " I need it and that's probably one of the reasons I do what I do!" True enough.
Saturday was a chilly day in my shop. And I felt inspired to dig into my scrap bin and see what bright fabrics I could find. I had enough of this Japanese Orange and Red funky fabric for 3 shades and this pair of Swedish gray linen. I quickly heated up my iron and was on a roll. I've take a series of photos for you to see the process.
Mixing fun fabrics isn't as easy as it looks....it takes more misses till you hit it right. It can be wild and fun but the design still has to work together. Years ago I was told by the woman that ran The Weston Craft Show that my booth didn't match and looked terrible! That was almost 20 years ago; I bet she would still agree that my shop doesn't match either...duh, that's the idea! Break the mold- fun with color.
Which grosgrain to choose? Thinking bright I'll go with the turquoise/aqua!
Adding the ribbon. Half goes on the front and the rest wraps around and glues inside.
Adding the self-trim to the bottom. I love this great fabric, only had a few scraps but just enough.
fun mix!  sure to brighten the dreariest of days!

This lampshade can be found at my Etsy Shop. There is a pair and they are 68. dollars per shade. They measure 4" top x 7" bottom and 7" high and clip onto the light bulb. There is also one more that is the size up. And that's the end of that great fabric!

So happy my garden pushes on! It's been a great growing season in Vermont; plenty of sunshine and water.

Last year's pumpkin seeds finally sprouted. Kind of a Charlie Brown pumpkin.

xo,

judy

Leaves are just starting to turn in Southern Vermont. I'll be here in my shop lots the next couple of weeks. Come for a visit. Have lunch at The Station next door- they are open Wed- Sunday. The general store is still under construction (and brew pub). The Pawlet Potter is also open in the village on some days. Also visit Consider Bardwell Farm, Roy Egg and Flower Brook Pottery. I'll be here most of the week. Hours for this week: Tues 12-5, Wed- Sunday 10-5pm. 

 

October Already

September weather must have been one of the best ever! Except the wicked heat during Brimfield Week.... I should have stayed home... oh well, now I remember why I didn't do the September show.... but May was so fantastic. My buds did well, but I tanked. I loved my few great customers but mostly too hot to shop and who knows, guess it wasn't my week. Wouldn't be so bad if there weren't so many expenses... Anyway,  it was fun to hang out and give my hands a break and get a change of scenery. One never knows what my come down the road....

I have great inventory for Fall Foliage! And I had a great week in the shop with delightful customers that "get" what I do. Thank you, thank you.

This is the last of this great bark cloth! I hope I can find another; the red barns light op great for a country look. This shade measures 7x12x8.5" and is a washer top. $85. Here is the LINK in my etsy shop.  
Just finished up this kid's shade today. I made it from a 1950's vintage cloth book. It's one of my favorite books, the images are super sweet. Funny how some of the old images can be a little scary looking, but this one is perfect. The shade measures 7"x12"x8.5". It's trimmed with a green vintage ticking. It's $85 and a pretty easy fit for finding a lamp.
I listed this shade this morning. It's a nice quality new crewel fabric, 7"x12"x8.5" high UNO lampshade. An uno shade is needed for an old standing floor lamp IF the light bulb hangs down. I try to carry a good selection of UNO shades as they can be extremely hard to find- or at least something decorative.
One can not have a lampshade shop in Vermont during fall foliage without a Grandma Moses Lampshade! Her fabric is getting harder to find and this one is quite rare and certainly expensive when found! $75. per shade and measure 5x8x6 Hex clip on. These won't last long, wish I had more of this bark cloth!!!

Just finished up a pair of these sweet Society Silk Vintage Embroidery Shades. Not even listed yet on Etsy... maybe in the am. Very pretty, pretty. There are some vintage wear, but pretty violets and sweet vintage trim, too.

Come up to Vermont, looks like we will hopefully miss the hurricane. September weather was too amazing with sunshine and mostly delightful weather...today reminded me of the cold weather ahead. Shop kitties were pouting, too. And even turned the heat on, only once! You know, it's pretty Yankee to see how long one can go without turning on the heat. Think I'll grab my Uggs tomorrow!

The leaves are a little behind due to that nice September weather, but they will be here quick. Apple picking is tip top, even our old orchard. We have one tree the apples are the size of soft balls! And good too. Raspberries are coming as long as we don't get any hard frosts. I've covered up a few things in my veggie garden to keep them going.

Hope to see you in Vermont.

xo

judy

ps I've been hearing from quite a few from you on workshops. I regret I've taken a break from workshops. It is all I can do to keep up with my shop and on-line shop. BUT, please buy my DIY book, there is everything you will need to know to get started, lampshadelady book.