The Lampshade Lady Blog

A Delightful Surprise, Gift of a Hand Bound Lampshade Lady Book

This Saturday I had a wonderful surprise. My good friend Karl is a book binder that specializes in Book Art and Book Conservation. When my book came out almost a year ago he had promised me a hand -bound book by taking my book apart and re-working it. I left all of the details up to him as this is where his expertise lies. And how fun to be surprised!
Karl  Eberth is presenting my book and explaining the design. He has used a wonderful marbled paper that has been block printed on top of the marbling. You can see the shape of a lampshade when the book is opened up. Carl did 2 books, one for me and one for my folks. He only does one or 2 books like this a year. I have always loved marbled paper; even the time I tried doing it in my kitchen and it all ended up on my floor and gave it a green tint..... The spin is my most favorite part. He has use Chinese Tea Paper and hand lettered my name and Title of the book; very chic!!!! The silver spine of the book is over the top elegant. I love it. When I was a kid my family moved into this big old farm house in Maine and the front hallway had been wall papered in garish gold and silver tea paper. I remember seeing some in the attic.
Detail of the paper and spine. Oh, that hand letter press... If all the books looked this great. I love my book, but as an artist this is beautiful!  You can't really see it in my photo here, but there is an alphabet paper used between the spin and the marbled paper. Karl Eberth of West Pawlet, VT specializes in conserving rare books for collectors and library collections of Williams, Middlebury, Yale, Harvard, etc. I hope I have this right. No website, but his number is 802-645-0222. I highly recommend Karl. He's not only super talented but a nice guy to boot.
a peak inside, embroidery cut corner cottage shade on right w/ chenille how to on the left.
I love looking back at some of my book photos, especially ones like this that fell together like magic. This shot was our first one on a cool morning after unbearable heat and humidity. One of my favorites.

I love this shot too. It was one of the first I did with photographer Ryan Benyi. Lucky for me I just found a lovely candlewicking spread and sham. I've used it for one large shade and have another lined up on my worktable.

EVENTS NOTE:   I'll be up in Middlebury, Vermont on Friday for there Friday Night Art Stroll. I am bring up a clutch of new work and a pile of books. If your in the area come visit at the darling shop, The Guilded Cage. 5-7PM. It is on the main street across from The Alpine Shop.

Book Event in Nantucket and Workshop, too! (And to the beach..., hopefully)

If you happen to be on the Island of Nantucket next Monday swing by the Nantucket Historical Association and say hi. Bee Shay and I will be each doing a short talk and demo and book signing. It's at 3pm in the 1800 House Garden.

Sorry not much of a blogger these steamy days. My hands have been out straight cutting and gluing. Crazy busy, but that is a good thing. Lizzy will be here in the shop while I am away. Lampshades are flying out of the shop and just trying to keep up.

Hope you saw the Yankee Magazine How to Project. There is to be something in Crafts'n Things in August, maybe it's on the stands now. I'll have to check it out. And another something in Sept's issue of Country Victorian. Guess I should be busy with all this great press. Just keepin my head down. It's been a fun ride. I guess I understand why authors keep doing books, but this one will have to last me for a while.

Summer shop hours: Mon, Tue, Thurs, Fri, Sat. 10-5 and Wed 12-5 or by appointment.

xoxo,

judy

Northshire Bookstore Event with Judy Lake and Jane Davies

Artists and authors Judy Lake and Jane Davies will be sharing their stories and craft at the Northshire Bookstore next Thursday August 27th 7pm. Booksigning and Demo. Come join us for a fun night. Hope to see you there.

I will take a deep breath and do my best. I love chatting in my shop, but phew.... yes I will get over the public speaking thing one of these days. BUT, it is super fun to be sharing the night with Jane Davies. She has done 3 books and is an old pro at this by now. Her latest book is Collage Journeys. A great book.

Jane and I started our careers on the craft show path by hitting the road for many weekends away at various venues in New England. We did many of the same shows and have many stories to tell. I'll never forget one we did in Westport, CT. and were set up side by side. We were a couple of booths away from someone that did Holiday Folk Art of some sort and the line to their booth stretched way past both of our booths.... too funny. Guess they had a big following....

Bit by bit we both weaned ourselves off the road and into our studios for concentrated business work. I can only speak for myself here, but by staying put I was able to be much more creative with out expending huge amounts of energy and stress on the road. I have loved my studio/shop. That being said, I have actually just signed on to do The Brimfield Flea Market!!! I must be crazy, but figure I will help get my new book out there..... I will be set up w/ friends at The Shelton Antique Show, booth B53. It starts Tuesday, Sept 8th at daybreak, whenever that is... I will have more in the coming days.