The Lampshade Lady Blog

Getting Work Ready for The Brimfield Flea Market and My 30th Year of Lampshade Making!

It's that time of year again! At last. What a LONG winter and chilly spring. I'm prepping lots of new projects for The Brimfield Flea Market. I was going to take a break this year, but decided to try a new spot at The New England Motel Show. And I think it's a winner! Great spot in the center of the show on the main road into the place. I'm at booth #103. And my good friend Judy Pascal and her daughter are setting up right behind me!  I'm thrilled they will be so close by.

Just finished this vintage bird needlepoint. 6" top x 8" bottom x 6" high. I've taken a break listing on my Etsy Shop, Lampshadelady as I'm in showtime prep! So if you see anything here you love, just email me and I'll pop it in the mail. The show is celebrating it's 30th year and having a early preview on Tuesday May 12th, 3-6pm. $20 early entrance fee which is also good for Wednesday, too. Opens Wed. 13th at 6am daybreak.

Basket full of Grain Sack Drum Shades to be finished for the show! Using up my scraps @ $20.

Finished up this pair of rectangle bell shades done in the wonderful Fortuny Italian Fabric. Pretty sweet.

Vintage French Cotton Hex Bell @75.

Pretty vintage needlepoint violet with cream dotted swiss fabric.

I'm pretty fond of this pair. Just had the fabric arrive from France! So pretty and rare. I find that I tend to do my favorite work just before shows; it's a pattern I've watched over the years. I think it has to do with the fact that time is limited and I have had projects I've wanted to do for months and finally get time to do them.

Just finished this pair of rectangle bell grain sack lampshades. Loving this shape. Grain Sack fabric is pretty hard on the hands but looks so great and popular.
A pair of vintage crewel shades in progress for this week to finish.

Panels of a Fortuny Fabric Shade, amazing color! Will be to die for!

This year marks my 30th year of making lampshades. I started making shades when we moved to Southern Vermont in 1985. How could it possibly be that long. I haven't had my business that whole time, but it got it's start all those years ago. The first 5 years was a slow start experimenting with the craft as I was a young mom grabbing bits of time to be creative. It's been a fun ride and finally feel like I'm at the top of my game as long as my little hands hold out, they sure do take some abuse cutting styrene and heavy fabrics.

Hope you make it down to Brimfield! New England Motel Show is in the middle of the fields on RT 20 in Brimfield, just west of Sturbridge, MA. There's 20 plus shows opening Tues-Sunday. Don't forget the comfy shoes, water and money!

xo

judy lake

May Brimfield 2013 Has Come and Gone

The Day Break opening at New England Motel! In they come!!!

 

 What a fast week it has been here at Brimfield. I am posting here on Sunday morning; always a little dreary--- but a chance to make those last few sales. I usually don’t bother with Sunday, but seems like the customers seem to be “happier” parting with their money. By all reports from vendors, Wednesday, opening day here at The New England Motel was one of the best in years. It’s been a long 5 years for the weary economy and if this week is any indication it seems to be coming out of the fog. Thank god. Creativity at it’s best is trying to sell when the 99% are hanging onto their hard earned money.

Weather is a big topic of conversation and study at any outdoor event. It is a huge indicator of sales. Too steamy hot--- forget it--- customers get hot and confused and boy it’s easy to get lost amongst the rows and rows of booths! We had the great weather, only one hot day but it was well enjoyed after a frosty morning the day before. Who knew icy windshield this time of year.

I’d bet the gate numbers are way up this season. Here is the film crew for Flea Market Flip. I'd dare to guess the TV Flea Marking reality shows have encouraged for folks to come out to the flea. On the way to my booth yesterday, I walked through Shelton’s Show;  Flea Market Flip was there prepping for their day. What a huge crew of film guys, assistants and gear! I heard a few grumbles from some of the vendors, but heck it’s great publicity for them. Seems like the public has learned a few buying skills from these shows- good and bad. Several inappropriate offers were heard to have been made…. like an item is 75 dollars and 40 dollars offered- sort of insulting to the seller. A few dollars is usually expected and within reason.

Many great sales were had to the big chain stores; shopping for art/store display/ephemera as well as fashions and textiles for copy or inspiration. Not me, but many LUCKY vendors---the buyers come with HUGE budgets; how fun to spend someone else’s money shopping. At least for a little while! My booth partner was lucky I opened her display as she was late to arrive and a J.Crew buyer made her week!

When I am here selling it’s hard to get too far way from my booth to shop. One morning I went to the opening of the J and J Show- one I enjoy perusing. There’s a few fun textile folks there- a real mix of sellers. I found a few nice things, well worth the 5 bucks and walk around. Then strolled through the other markets on my way to my spot at New England Motel Show. As always it’s fun to peek at Central Park for more fabrics and trims. Found a few great things, but was getting late by then and scrambled back to open up the booth! I had a good day selling that day, must have been my happy buying !

love this! only lamp I found! nice color and size.

Clouds are starting to come in this morning; I think the rain will hold off this tonight! See, here I go about the weather!  Socks on, socks off and socks back on…. The shoppers are starting to make their way here, best put my scribbles away and be chatty!

Happy Flea Marketing and may YOU find some great finds.

xo

judy (one tired flea market puppy)

My Week at Brimfield Flea Market

Another week at Brimfield is completed. The time went by so fast, but then it must be said it was quite a feat. Can you say organization... The key to survival is having what you need to pace yourself for the week. Water, food, inventory, enough business cards, snacks, warm clothes, comfy shoes, patience, friends nearby and hopefully good folks on either side of your booth. A group of us moved out booths to The New England Motel Show this year. Not sure sales were higher but we were all pretty happy about the show and the location, not to mention "real bathrooms", yup, just one of those things that makes a week of selling a whole lot nicer:)

All my neighbors were super nice, my good friends Judy and Tony Pascal and daughters were directly behind me which was great. We kept our back walls up and folks could walk between the 2 booths. It looked bright and drew customers into our booths.


A few of my neighbors at the show.



A few booth shots.

our favorite breakfast sandwich spot!
I picked up this early print from Mary as well as my most cherished pin cushion!
I was entirely in love with this vintage treasure. And I can keep it on my desk at my shop! I didn't get much of a chance to walk the show...so I didn't find too many goodies. A nice piece of ticking and also a nice early brown toile from Judy P.
A small piece of Mary Maguire's booth. Such a talented collector of antique prints and art as well as a master folk artist!
Great weather until Sunday. What more could we ask for. Wednesday was an early start. DAYBREAK. I woke up a 4am, popped out of bed and 10 minutes later into the car and onward to Brimfield from Sturbridge. I gotta say, I've never gotten up that early, but it was okay until about 2:30 pm and then we all started to fade. I was happy to crash at my hotel after the show, feet up and American Idol....couldn't have been happier. Wednesday was windy and cold until late in the day. Lots of clothes and extra socks, jackets, scarves and lots of cups of tea. Fortunately the next to days were grand. Sun, sun, sun.

I packed up at the end of the day yesterday, Saturday. Rain was forecasted and I'd had enough. Lampshades are always a hard sell out of my shop, but it is great advertising and pr. Lots of boutiques and shops come to Brimfield to find inventory for their stores. People were buying, but still cautious and trying to get the best price. At times down right insulting, rude, etc. Hey, we all want a bargain. For the most part the shoppers were lots of fun and very appreciative.

What was the hot sellers?  It's hard to know what to highlight for a show. How heavy to go in one direction. In most cases I have a pretty wide variety of inventory. The biggest trend the past couple of years are the Antique European Grain Bags. I had a pretty good inventory and most of them were snatched up pretty quick. Oh, I should have made more. Then of course you have more and they don't sell....... right? Drum shades are still a big interest. I brought smallish ones (they fit in my car) and could have used some bigger ones and also some more out of the grain bags, too.

I'll be in my shop all of the summer. This was the only show I'll be doing this year, but hope to go back next May. It's easier to help customers right here in Pawlet and over the phone and internet. Hope you will come up to Vermont to visit. Feel free to give a call to make sure I will be in the shop. I am usually there, but sometimes I do have to be away. Shop is usually open Mon, Tues, Thurs, Fri, Sat. 10-5. I try to leave my schedule on my phone at the shop. 802-325-6308.

I'm Brimfield Bound: It's almost here!

I've been putting in long hours the past few weeks to bring the prettiest lampshades down to Brimfield Flea Market next week. My favorite time in my shop is that just before a show or an event. I have found the best stuff is made just before a show. I figure my  time is limited and WHAT is it that I REALLY want to make. I wish I had taken a picture of my desk on Monday.... It was one of those designing days. Totally attention deficit day.... from one idea springing onto the next idea and then, oh ya, I'll do this too. One of those days that flew by. By the end of the day I had 6 projects prepped and started. And I must say great shades....

And again this afternoon I got to do it all again, start designing again... today I searched out this old baby redwork quilt and prepped a few shades. I also dug out a Poppy Society Silk dresser scarf; I'm using it for a scallop hex shade. I also finished a pair of shades made from choice Vintage French Cotton. The trim stumped me for a bit...eventually resolved the decision. And also have thoughts of a few grainsack drum shades, too.    

                                                                                                                                                Bouret Photos                                                                                                                                                               

The Spring Brimfield Flea Market starts next Tuesday May 10th. There is a mile of shows opening up different days and times. This year I will be setting up at The New England Motel Antique Show, which opens at 6am on Wednesday morning. On Wednesday there is a 5 dollar entry fee but most likely the best stuff is out the first day. Look for the big food court! Everybody ends up at the food, right? I am booth 66 which is on the left side, midway back. Next to me are my good buds, Mary Maguire w/ her wonderful nautical folk art and antique prints and Philippa Katz's Barley Corn Gallery prints. Just behind my booth is Judy and Tony Pascal from Judy Pascal Antiques. Just down the row is another Vermonter, Wendy Lewis w/ her divine European Textiles. It's be a wild week a chatter, selling and Prosecco. And so far the weather looks perfect.  Here's the show map.

Not to forget the Vintage Textile and Fashion Show at the Host Hotel in Sturbridge. Sturbridge is just down the road from Brimfield.  The show opens Monday May 9th. I'll still be in Vermont working and wishing I was there. 

Above is the Brimfield Show map courtesy of The Journal of Antiques and Collectibles, a favorite antique magazine of most antique lovers and flea marketers. There is parking available at most of these shows; generally 5 bucks or so. Man, my feet are sore just looking at the map! Ha. Yikes. No fancy shoes here.... comfort rules.

Oh, How I hope everything will fit into my Honda Element....I'm thinking I ought to put the roof carrier up tomorrow. Packing up for a show is such a jigsaw puzzle. I don't do many shows anymore and get out of the routine. The "to remember list" will start: light bulbs, duck-tape, fabrics for back drop, props, tables, stool, chair, omg... here we go. Always lots of water, electric tea kettle, fruit, snacky foods to keep the sustenance, a few Stellas. I'm very happy to have electricity this year!!! yippee, it's hard to sell lampshades without light. The pile will start Saturday. 

Hope to see you there. Bring comfy shoes, water, layers of clothes, lots of money, granny cart, camera and a smile! The weather report looks beautiful as far as I can see!

xoxo,

judy

update may 10: just set up my booth at New England Motel. Nice spot and booth is super great. I am happy to be set up at this location. It's a 6 am start, so it's early to bed. Weather sounds great through Friday.

booth 66 New England Motel Antique Show @ Brimfield.

Are You Itching to Get Back to The Flea!

It's almost Flea Market Time in the Northeast!!! I've just made plans make my almost annual trip to The Vintage Textile and Fashion Show in Sturbridge, MA. The date is May 10th; early buying starts at 9:30am and costs $20. I always enjoy seeing the huge variety of textiles shown in Sturbridge. There aren't too many bargains but you'll see stuff you won't find on the fields. I usually end up with a pretty good clutch of good finds. At first it is pretty depressing looking at prices and then with some hunting and digging I'll find some pretty fabrics and embroideries.

I am going to spend the night and hit The Brimfield Flea Market on Tuesday. The Flea market is just down the road from The Textile Show. Very convenient. There are 20 something flea markets all lined up along RT. 20. Shows have different opening days and times. Check their website for more detailed info. I found one of the best things about such a big flea market is that if you don't like the price, keep going and you might find something better for less $, maybe. And these days we are all a little more careful with spending wisely.

And sure not to miss stopping at The Vintage and Antique Textile store in Sturbridge. Barbara Wright has one of the hottest collections of a huge variety of trims, fabrics, clothes, blankets.....
Often I have found my favorite finds here. Don't miss stopping. She has quite an eye for the finding the goods.

Flea Market Tips:
Get there early!!!!
Bring Cash!!!
Learn to scan booths for what you are looking for, otherwise it'll be a really long day.
If you go with friends that are looking for the similar objects, separate and plan to meet up at the gate.
Bring water and snacks.
Remember where you parked the car!!!!
Bring something to carry all you awesome finds.
Go for the Pulled Pork lunch by Central Park Flea Market. Most yummy!
Lobster Rolls were good, too.
Did I say bring cash.... of course there is never enough in my pocket, just seems to slip out so fast.
Be polite and respectful, even when you get pushed out of the way.... apt to happen at the Textile Show..... some pushy ones there.
Pray for cool, sunny weather.
And best of all, have fun and make new friends.