The Lampshade Lady Blog

DIY Lampshades, The Lampshade Lady's Guide to Lighting up Your Life

It's been eons since I've posted a DIY Lampshade Project! I thought I'd share one today with you. I found this sweet cotton vintage French fabric recently and thought it was a good one to demo. It's a medium light weight 100% cotton. Hope you enjoy the process. I am not doing workshops these days....too busy trying to keep up! My book, The Lampshade Lady's Guide to Lighting up Your Life is out of print and I am out of copies but is available used on Amazon. I have bought the rights to it and may get it re-printed. Fortunately, it's not too dated except some of the resources. Here are the instructions.

Materials:

1/2 yd cotton or linen

1 galvanized wire frame- my demo is a hex bell 5" top x 8" bottom x 6" high

quick glue and squeeze bottle or similar craft glue that dries clear

a bunch of good quality clothes pins

1/4' pressure sensitive styrene

scissors

ultra thin sharpie

pressure sensitive cloth tape ~3/8" or so. The Lamp Shop calls this Bias Fold Trim Backer.

5/8" cotton/rayon grosgrain.

NOTE: start with a small size lampshade. You'll thank me! They are MUCH easier and faster. Don't expect your first one to be perfect. It will be good but they keep getting better. I generally get most of my materials at The Lamp Shop in Concord, NH. Make sure NOT to buy poly ribbon. It will not glue for the life of you!!! Also you will find more tips my my archives here on my blog. There's lots to learn...it's been 30 plus years since my kitchen table lampshade start and I'm still learning new things. Have fun!

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STEP 1- Make pattern. Use thin sharpie and mark around the outside of the wire. Then cut out.

 

STEP 2 - Use pattern and make 5 more panels. I'm making a pair so I'll make 12 total.

STEP 3- Iron fabric. Pull paper backing off the styrene panel and set onto back of fabric. Cut out right along the styrene edge.

STEP 4 Trim panel to fit exactly. I usually have to go back several times to get it to fit perfect. You want the panels to abut and not overlap as they are set onto the frame. See step 8

STEP 5 - run bead of glue around the 4 edges of the first panel. Less is more!

STEP 7 set panel on top of glue and secure with clothes pins.


STEP 8 - finish putting all styrene / fabric panels onto wire. You can see here how the panels should fit. Takes practice to get them this smooth. Trim up if needed. Easiest to do now that later.

STEP 9 - I like to use a long ribbon to hold everything in place while drying. It takes 20 minutes at the most.

STEP 10 Make vertical trims. Cut 6 stripes from the cloth tape also known as pressure sensitive cloth tape or bias  trim fold backer. Make them same height as the shade and set onto the back of the fabric. Cut out saving about 1/3" on either side of the tape.

STEP 11- Add glue and fold back onto the tape.

STEP 12- Continue adding glue to the other side and fold back onto the tape.

STEP 13- hand press to make sharp edges.

Step 14- fold in half with the back side inside the fold. This will help the trim glue onto the shade.

STEP 15- add glue to back side of the trim

STEP 16- set onto the shade rib. Hand press to secure. Remove any excess glue with fingernail.

STEP 17-Cut grosgrain for top and bottom; measure around top and add one inch. Same for bottom. Must be 40% cotton to stick!!! VERY IMPORTANT. To make fabric trims for top and bottom use the grosgrain ribbon as your yard stick. Cut the same length as ribbon and make similar to the sides/ribs trims.

STEP 18 adding glue for the grosgrain ribbon. Half of the ribbon will glue to the front of the shade and the other half will glue inside the lamp shade.

STEP 19- Cut excess ribbon on diagonal. Over lap 1/2" and glue down onto where it started.


STEP 20 detail of above

STEP 21 another detail, adding glue

STEP 22 - Adding glue to the inside of the ribbon. This takes practice to know how much glue to use. I use enough to secure it smoothly but you do not want so much that it bleeds.

STEP 23- trick for the corners, gather them 3 or 4 times with your thumb to make a nice corner. This takes practice, too. I know I make it look easy.

STEP 24 - Use your nail to tuck the grosgrain under the wire for a neat edge.

STEP 25 - Try to make the edge straight... the lucky part is I almost always add another trim on top if it's not perfectly straight. The finishing trim conceals any flaws!

STEP 26- Add grosgrain onto the top just like the bottom.

STEP 27 - adding the glue to the inside of the ribbon. Note: also make a small snippet where the ribbon will go over the clip top. Only about 1/4". One on each side. I do not show the snippet here, sorry.

STEP 28- You can see where I make the snippet here around the clip top. This photo shows getting the grosgrain snug under the wire for a professional finish.

STEP 29- To make the top and bottom self trims. Glue the same as the vertical trims.

STEP 30- add glue and fold onto the tape

STEP 31- folding onto the tape, detail

STEP 32 - Top self trim is ready to add. Do a few inches at a time. I start adding at the same spot the grosgrain started.

STEP 33- Sometimes it helps to work on your lap. The hardest part about starting a new craft is how to handle the items. I've learned to work lower than higher. Every step has it's own tricks that you will find work best for you. I have so many that I don't even realize that I do:)

STEP 34-  When adding the self trims I give them a tug on the corners to help them go on smooth. If you use clothes pins to help secure the trim make sure not to leave them on long or they will leave marks on the trim.

STEP 35- adding the fabric trim to the bottom.

STEP 36 FINISHED! PUT ON LAMP!!! Congrats.


Feel free to ask questions. There is lots of info on DIY in the archives here on my blog. Don't worry too much about your first shade; they get better. It's a fun craft!

Thanks and good luck,

Judy

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

April Lampshade Workshops: April 14th OR April 16th

April will be here before we know it.... I'm trying to fool myself as the snowbanks at my shop are many feet deep. But yes, it WILL be here before we know it. The days are getting longer.

I have decided to offer 2 separate classes in April. It is always the busiest time of year for workshops and never have enough room for all. Some people like mid-week and others Saturdays. If you were thinking about Saturday, don't delay; it is starting to fill. There is still lots of room on Thursday. Cost $175, all materials included except fabric. Usually students enjoy bringing their own fabrics, but if you don't have any........ there's lots here.

Classes start at 11am and run till about 4:30-5pm.
This is from my Valentine's Day workshop. Look at all the great shades they are making. I am amazed how different all our shades are from the workshops. There is something very special about working together as a group of women and sometimes guys, too. Lots of laughs and always best when no one takes it too seriously!!!! Just let the creativity flow.
This is the start of a workshop, before most students have arrived. I can fit only 6-8 students in my little shop. This is the calm before the storm. Oh, the mess that we made. Thanks for the photo, Tom.

To register, email me judylake@vermontel.net or call the shop at 802-325-6308. Reservations are a must as you can see it is LOTS of work prepping for the class and if you don't show, someone else might have liked your spot. My last class I turned students away and then one didn't show up......Karma....oh well, breathe Judy.... giving workshops are a blast, but the organizational piece....deep breath.

This is the last Vermont workshop till October. I don't have airconditioning and summer gets too busy.

How-To Vintage Monogram Lampshade

Vintage Monograms make great shades. They are a little hard to make up for inventory in my shop; it's best to use common letters and then take orders. B's, S's, T's, are good choices. I love this one; it's so nice and thick. I took pictures today as I was making it. No fancy photography, but hands on how-to. It's always interesting taking a picture and holding a glue bottle and a trim at the same time.... not quite like book production, but I think you'll get the idea.
I cut 6 panels out of styrene for the hex bell frame, 5" top x 8" bottom x 6" high. I thought it would fit the monogram nicely. I had considered using the fabric behind the panels for the trim, but decided to save it for a couple big shades, it's a hard to find pretty barkcloth.
Panels are glued onto the galvanized frame.
Run a bead of glue around the 4 sides of the panel opening and set styrene/fabric panel and clip into place with clothespins.
I like to use a long piece of grosgrain ribbon to hold panels in place. A good time to adjust and then let them dry, about 20 minutes. Vertical trim goes on next.
Next step is to choose the trim fabric. I thought this one might look nice, but decided against it.This cloth tape is what I use to make the self trims. It is pressure sensitive on one side. The Lampshop carries it and it is called Bias Trim Fold Backer. I usually just call it pressure sensitive cloth tape.
Trim decision: believe me, this can be the hardest decision of the project or maybe I am just too fussy, but I know my customers can be as fussy as I am.  I love, love this hydrangea vintage fabric. The colors are subtle and will go with a variety of decors. I wish I had more of this hydrangea fabric..... keep your eyes out for me. It is a Vintage French Cretonne Fabric; it has a mini cord to it.
I have used the cloth tape to make self-trims. 6 6" vertical strips and cut grosgrain for the top and bottom. I use the grosgrain to measure out the length of the self trim. I have used the Vintage Hyranga for both sides and top and bottom. Grosgrain MUST have at least 40% cotton- or else....
To glue the self-trim. Glue one side at a time. Hand press to make a nice crisp edge. I like to do the edge away from me and fold towards me. You'll probably find your own ways you like to do things.
Fold over the other side. I use Quick Glue that comes from The Lamp Shop in Concord, N.H. It is transfered into these reuseable squeeze bottles.
Add the strips to finish the vertical edges. I make a valley on the backside of the strip and add a fair amount of glue. Pick up any excess glue with your fingernails. It is easiest to do this with the shade on it's side.
When all vertical self-trims are added, trim up excess fabric. Trim up any extra styrene, too. The smoother it is the smoother the grosgrain will look.
Add grosgrain to the bottom. Half will go on the outside of shade and rest will turn and glue to the inside of the shade. Start in the back of the shade if there is a back. Cut on diagonal, adding glue, one panel at a time.
glue detail
Add glue to inside of grosgrain and turn around wire and tuck inside wire. Make 1/8th snips by wire clip to allow ribbon to go on either side of wire. (blogger, me.... multitasking.... small budget, must take photo, hold glue bottle and type at night!) Ha.
To Make top and bottom self-trims. Make them the same way as the vertical trims without the valley on the back.
Add glue onto the back of the self-trim and set onto the edge of the bottom of shade. Do a few inches at a time. Use one clothespin and walk it around the shade. If you leave it on too long it will leave an indent.
Smile, this is the easiest part and so rewarding. You are almost finished. Yes, it will look great. The trim will cover up most boo boos. You could also use a decorative trim or tassel here.
Over lap the self-trim. Cut on a diagonal and overlap a smidgen. Do the same for the top trim.

A personalized gift. Search your linen closets and antique shops for linen tea towels. They are so nice and soft, washed over and over again. Vintage linen makes up beautiful, much easier than new fabrics.

And if you think this is fun, Please pick up my book, The Lampshade Lady's Guide to Lighting up Your Life, (Potter Craft, 2009) and give it as a gift to your crafty friends. It's little growing niche. Start a cottage industry in your neck of the woods or just get inspired.

Happy Holidays,

judy lake

 

ps only one spot left in the Feb.12th workshop. I could add another date if there is enough interest.

I'm Coming up for Air and Getting a 2nd Wind

Running a little business is a little like a delicately balanced stack of lampshade frames. Phew, I think I made it past the crazy spring, summer and fall. It has been wicked busy since the publication of my Lampshade Lady Book. I've had a few events the past months, a few workshops and lots of custom work as well as keeping ahead of wholesale orders. Yes, it truly is a balancing act. Blogging, Twitter, etc have mostly gone by the wayside, but now I've got a chance to catch my breath and get a 2nd wind.

All I've learned in a year....where do I start. Originally I thought it would be interesting to do a book on running a little business like mine instead of a how-to book, but those in the know thought otherwise. To think of all the hard knock lessons I have learned. I've heard from many of you wondering if you could really make a living at making lampshades. Yes you can, but gosh it's taken me 20 years to draw a paycheck and at certain times of the year that is debatable, BUT, I'm the boss. Inventory control, CEO, Head Shopper for the best vintage fabrics, head ebay shopper for lamps that need alot of love, head gardener, trash girl, shipping girl,president of pr and marketing, accounts payable to name a few of the day to day skills learned over time, usually doing them wrong the first time. Running my own business is hugely rewarding and I thank the thankyou gods everyday that I was lucky enough to stumble into my shop and start my little niche.

I usually say that I can teach you to make a lampshade in a day, but the rest takes years to figure out. But, heck- it would be no fun if you knew how to do everything. One student emailed that she hadn't sold any lampshades yet. Humm, so Yupp, that's pretty discouraging but not the end of the world. It is sort of good you don't sell out the first time... or maybe that would be good???? I didn't sell any shades at my first outting. And only a handful the next. As a matter of fact, I only sold a handful at my last outting. But, what did I learn? I remembered how much I loved my shop and that it is so much easier selling shades here on School ST than off at a show without electricity in windy weather, but it was great advertising and will bring old customers back to my shop this fall/winter. 
Skier Girl. Sold. Love this shade. So glad my friend got this one. Thanks Maxine.

More lessons for me.... I just had a wonderful 2 day workshop. A few glitches I think I have learned. I enjoy teaching but at times students sign up and change their minds..... or their schedules change....or health issues which is understandable and then the weather even in Oct.  can be an issue. I will have to be stricter in the future because this last one almost was my last. I was lucky there was so much interest, but my workspace is very small and can only accommodate 7-8 students with a squeeze.

deep breath, I will post a workshop schedule for 2011 in the next few days.

My best advise is if you want to start a business. Get busy and Do it! A fellow craftsperson in my town has said to me many times how much she looks up to me and blah, blah, blah, and talks and talks and talks. Just dig in, get started and learn along the way. I know she'll have a great business, because she's super talented. It takes time to get CONFIDENCE AND BE BRAVE.

The only way I finished my book was to not look too far ahead, ask questions when your stuck, do it, figure it out and work hard. Stay positive. If you only knew how many negative comments I deleted and never sent to the book folks. In the beginning of my book progress I got an email from my then editor if I could have my manuscript done by June 30th (it had been due Sept 30th.....sh....t! xoxoxoxok what was she thinkingxixixik! delete, delete and I said let me see, sure okay, we can do it!)  only to wait for the next crazy email, Judy, do you think you could have the how-to photos done by then, too? (also, not due till Sept 30th) sure, let me check. You can only imagine what my thoughts were. HOW the HELL will we do that?? so I email off, LET me Check with the photographer. And I return the email, Sure, I think we can make it happen. Lastly, one me querry from her, Can you also get the beauty shots done sooner, too. The last straw. Let me see. She got them 2 months sooner than originally requested. Summer was nonexistent that summer.

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.

A Big Thanks to Romantic Homes

          Lake's Lampshades and The Lampshade Lady's Guide to Lighting up Your Life featured in Romantic Homes, May 2010 issue.
How exciting to have my shop featured in the May issue of Romantic Homes. It's great timing with spring arriving and we are all thinking about sprucing up our homes or at least I am. I just bought an arm load of paint to spruce up my living room, tulips to bring spring closer and I'm itching to get out and search for vintage fabrics to inspire my lampshade creativity.

The loyal followers of this magazine are already starting to call my shop and email. I love hearing from you and love the exposure it is bringing my new Lampshade Lady book. It's a tricky time for book sellers and all these little boosts are super helpful.

Go buy a May issue of Romantic Homes and get psyched to spruce up for spring!

Holiday Lampshade Making

Here's a redwork shade I made this week. I snuck away a little time from holiday orders to make a few holiday shades. I love the birds in this shade. It's got lots of different trims; a few scraps I had around of red damask for the sides, the bottom has a wonderful vintage paisley and the top has a vintage red trim. Just got a new door last week at my shop! You probably aren't too excited, but I am! yipee, maybe my feet might stay a little warmer in the cutest little drafty cape ever known. (no light shows through the door jam!!! near miracle, oh the little things that make our day.)
A few more redwork squares for future kids shades.
detail of the drum shade: 12" x 12" x 8", Susan Sargent Linen-Dot Fabric and trimmed with a vintage dot feed sack fabric. I'm loving the trim on this shade. I guess I can say that because trims are super hard to hit it right and I think this one does just the trick. Doesn't it just add the extra zing to make it different...??? I try.

The shade sits on a great wicker lamp I finally rewired from Brimfield. Speaking of Brimfield, jeez, May will be here sooner or later. I'll be back at The Shelton Show again with the designer gang in the back of the show; a great bunch well worth visiting.

Here's a nice vintage pair of pink depression glass paired with a scallop quilt top shade. Very sweet for a little girls bedroom.

Lampshade Lady Book Jacket

Lampshade Lady's Guide to Lighting Up Your Life
It is pretty amazing to me to actually see the
whole book cover. Extra big thanks to book
designer, La Tricia Watford for designing a
clean and beautiful book. As you may remember
my panics and pains to have a handsome book
designed. And also big thanks to Frances Bailey
from Country Living for her special blurb.
My book will be released Aug. 18th or pre-ordered
from my website.