Are You Making Lampshades, Yet?
Great Christmas/Holiday gifts. Get started now and you'll be on a roll.
I thought I might write a post on some of the questions I have gotten from emails since my book has come out. I love hearing from my new readers. Thanks for all the great comments.
Questions from readers:
1. where do i find supplies? There are 2 main sources for lampshades supplies, The Lamp Shop and Fogg Lighting. They both have very good websites and are very helpful on the phone. Over the years I have gotten used to ordering supplies. There are many frame choices, ribbons, etc.
2. can i use grosgrain from craft supply stores? The grosgrain ribbon used to make lampshades needs to have a % of cotton and rayon. Most craft stores have grosgrain, but it does not always have the cotton in the fiber content.
3. where do i find the pressure sensitive styrene? Pressure sensitive styrene is available from The Lampshop and Fogg Lighting for small quantities. If you are interested in 25 yards plus, try Artistic Bias in New Jersey. They ship out of the country. I have heard from many of you guys down in Australia trying to find STYRENE. Perhaps it is a niche business needing to be started down your way. Perhaps get together and put in a co-op order or try buying from a small lampshade manufacturer down your way.
4. what kind of glue do you use? Quick glue loaded into an accordion squeeze bottle. Glue bottles can be used over and over. Glue is available from The Lampshop and Fogg Lighting. Dries in about 15-20 minutes.
5. how many shades do you make in a year.... good question.....no idea but what's the saying about idle hands...
6. what do you suggest for the beginner? There are a couple ideas. Start with a small frame. I also suggest the idea of buying a kit from The Lampshop or Fogg Lighting. I think it's a good way to get started; all the materials except fabric are included in the kit.
or take a workshop.... more to be scheduled for 2o10 or one more in Oct. 27 (still a little room, left)
7. can i use my old lampshade frame? Sometimes. If you have an empire shade, aka regular old round shade, you can take it apart and use the old shade as a pattern. Instructions in book.
or if you have an old frame. You can use it if the top is not round. Silk shades often have pretty frames but they can not always be used in making hard back shades.
if you use an old frame, give it a coat of enamel paint and sand if rusty.
8. which brings me to the question of galvanized frames. RUST is the lampshade makers enemy. If you can find galvanized frames or powder coated frames go for it. If your frames are steel you will need to coat them to try to retard rusting.... all of the lampshade ladies and men have issues with this topic.
9. what is your favorite lampshade of the hour? I have loved using vintage needlepoint pieces on my shades. It is a fun challenge to design shades using the needlepoint panel on the front of the shade and compliment it with other fabrics and trims. It takes some searching to find all the pieces to the puzzle, but often with delightful results.
enjoy the weekend.
judy
I thought I might write a post on some of the questions I have gotten from emails since my book has come out. I love hearing from my new readers. Thanks for all the great comments.
Questions from readers:
1. where do i find supplies? There are 2 main sources for lampshades supplies, The Lamp Shop and Fogg Lighting. They both have very good websites and are very helpful on the phone. Over the years I have gotten used to ordering supplies. There are many frame choices, ribbons, etc.
2. can i use grosgrain from craft supply stores? The grosgrain ribbon used to make lampshades needs to have a % of cotton and rayon. Most craft stores have grosgrain, but it does not always have the cotton in the fiber content.
3. where do i find the pressure sensitive styrene? Pressure sensitive styrene is available from The Lampshop and Fogg Lighting for small quantities. If you are interested in 25 yards plus, try Artistic Bias in New Jersey. They ship out of the country. I have heard from many of you guys down in Australia trying to find STYRENE. Perhaps it is a niche business needing to be started down your way. Perhaps get together and put in a co-op order or try buying from a small lampshade manufacturer down your way.
4. what kind of glue do you use? Quick glue loaded into an accordion squeeze bottle. Glue bottles can be used over and over. Glue is available from The Lampshop and Fogg Lighting. Dries in about 15-20 minutes.
5. how many shades do you make in a year.... good question.....no idea but what's the saying about idle hands...
6. what do you suggest for the beginner? There are a couple ideas. Start with a small frame. I also suggest the idea of buying a kit from The Lampshop or Fogg Lighting. I think it's a good way to get started; all the materials except fabric are included in the kit.
or take a workshop.... more to be scheduled for 2o10 or one more in Oct. 27 (still a little room, left)
7. can i use my old lampshade frame? Sometimes. If you have an empire shade, aka regular old round shade, you can take it apart and use the old shade as a pattern. Instructions in book.
or if you have an old frame. You can use it if the top is not round. Silk shades often have pretty frames but they can not always be used in making hard back shades.
if you use an old frame, give it a coat of enamel paint and sand if rusty.
8. which brings me to the question of galvanized frames. RUST is the lampshade makers enemy. If you can find galvanized frames or powder coated frames go for it. If your frames are steel you will need to coat them to try to retard rusting.... all of the lampshade ladies and men have issues with this topic.
9. what is your favorite lampshade of the hour? I have loved using vintage needlepoint pieces on my shades. It is a fun challenge to design shades using the needlepoint panel on the front of the shade and compliment it with other fabrics and trims. It takes some searching to find all the pieces to the puzzle, but often with delightful results.
enjoy the weekend.
judy
posted by judy lake | Saturday, October 17, 2009
2 Comments:
Regarding the use of craft store grosgrain - I have in a few cases found the perfect color in a craft store (1/4 or 5/16 inch trim) and was able to use it as a surface trim by backing it with the bias backer tape then gluing it on. (This would not work for the top and bottom trim attaching to the frame). It seems to have worked pretty well (still sticking...)
I can never remember my google account info so will send this as anonymous! Hope you are doing well and enjoying your fame as an author!
Diana Peduzzi
thanks Diana, yes, you can use lots of different trims to finish a shade, but need the 40% cotton to wrap around top and bottom wire.
Or, don't use grosgrain at all and make a self-trim with the fabric or contrasting fabric- make self trims as long as needed, glue up one side, then glue onto edge of top or bottom of shade with the finished edge facing middle of shade and then wrap unfinished fabric around top of shade and glue to inside of shade. Phew... sorry, that was hard to describe.
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