The Lampshade Lady Blog

A Few Shades in My Shop

2010-03-01T18:07:00.000-08:00

I battle the questions: do you have a catolog.... and the answer is always, no I do one of a kind work...which is a great thing, but always hard to share for the customer that

can't make it up to Vermont. I will try putting up some fresh work on my blog ( a little at a time and a little more often), so stay posted and email if you see something you love. so here goes and bare with me, I am still working through the changes at Blogger.
Early Vintage French Fabric Lampshade
cut corner square
top right without light bulb on
left with light
$125.

Cut Corner Rectangle, Raw Vintage Linen trimmed in cream linen. great designer look.
$125.

Square Bell Raw Grain Linen Grain Sack Shade with Blue Navy Stripe $85.

Vintage Embroidery Hex Bell Dogwood with shirred Jacquard trim on bottom and decorative trim on top. 5" top x 8" bottom x 6" high. Clip Top. Cost: $75. (light on)

one of a kind...

Light off, Vintage Embroidery Shade Hex Bell

A Vintage treasure found at the flea. Isn't it pretty? I bought it to use for my book projects, but didn't end up using it.

Rectangle Clip Shade with Early Linen, not embroidered, one of a kind.

$75.

A pair of Hex Clip 5"top x 10" across the bottom x 7" high made from a vintage embroidery tablecloth. Trimmed with vintage insert embroidery.

$75 each.

detail of shade

Square Candle Clip Shades
Vintage Mangle Cloth

2"top x 4" bottom x 4" high

6 shades available $45 each

Vintage Grandma Moses Winter Scene

5" top x 10" bottom x 7" high Clip Top

Hard to find Winter scene.Trimmed in vintage red paisley.

only 2 available $75 each

If you would like any of these shades, email me with any questions. We'll see how this works... or give me a call at the shop, 802.325.6308

thanks, judy lake

Making Your Own Awesome Drum Shades is Easy

2010-02-23T14:16:00.000-08:00

I'm due for a new drum shade over my desk and today's the day. I've been working on a dull pair of shades and putting off finishing my tax stuff. So what better time to do something fun.

Here's some very delicious fabric I found at the flea market this fall and it will be perfect for a drum shade. I have included lots of pictures and a few words. If you are visually creative this will be just for you and you will figure it out. Otherwise there are full instructions in my Lampshade Lady's Guide to Lighting up Your Life and also on this blog,,,, somewhere.

#1 make template This shade is 15" top x 15" bottom x 10" high. A good size for pendants as well as table or floor lamps.

#2 Laminate Styrene to fabric and cut out

Materials needed: glue, clothes pins, top washer and bottom wire. Pretty simple. Run bead of glue around top of shade. Set wire into place with clothes pins.

Turn shade upside down and set bottom wire in,

securing with clothes pins. Run bead of glue against wire on bottom.To glue up the back seam: open the seam open and add a fair amount of glue, smooth out with glue bottle neck. Press together with hands. I like to press on the inside of shade. Check for any oozing glue.Add glue along edge of shade and set grosgrain onto shade.

And add glue to inside of grosgrain and fold over the wire.
Add top self trim by gluing a few inches at a time.
First I added this trim and ripped it off. It seemed too ordinary..... famous last words... right?? so off it came. Too bad the color was perfect.But better without.
This was the winning trim. Love it. It's fresh, fun and not too old lady like.....a tad funky in a country way...??? must be the end of the day.... our snow storm has just started, you can almost see it through my new shop door. A day off tomorrow to play in the snow and finish my taxes....

Saturday's Lampshade Project

2010-02-20T12:25:00.000-08:00

Feels like a spring day here in Southern Vermont, almost. But well worth noting. A few more customers are poking around, willing to venture out into the countryside for a holiday weekend.
I started this shade late yesterday and just finished it up. Love it. I found this crewel on ebay and wasn't so sure what the heck to do with it when it arrived in the mail last week. Oh dear, maybe I made an ebay mistake. In those cases, I leave the piece on my desk and take a peak at it every now and then and try to visualize it's best use: what shape would work? Should it be kept whole or cut up? Or should I stash in deep and forget about it.... All those design questions.

I decided it fit this rectangle frame nicely. It was just a little smaller, but the trim hides what needs to be hidden.You can see below how the picture is a little smaller on top and bottom. No problem; it'll be covered up with trim.

I'm loving this trim added to the bottom. I found a scrap of fabric to use on the vertical self trims. How cottagey, is that a word??? I added a trim to the top that I plied 2 strands of rayon Martha ribbon together. To Ply 2 stands: cut 2 long strips of ribbon and knot at the end. Weight the ends of the ribbon on table and ply ribbons together by twisting clockwise together and letting them form one ribbon. I like it when they look irregular, which happens naturally.... for better or worse.

Shade size: top(7'x12") x bottom (9"x14") x high 10.5" cost $175.

2 Day Lampshade Lady Workshop October 1 and 2, 2010

2010-02-19T07:04:00.000-08:00

I am just announcing a 2 day workshop October 1 and 2 2010. This is my only workshop I will be doing this fall. My thoughts were that I know there are some of you that live quite a distance from Vermont and this will give you the double bang for your buck. Peak foliage and 2 days to come play with fabrics and create awesome lampshades. This is the weekend that usually the leaves are at their most beautiful.

The cost for the 2 day workshop will be $275. This will include all materials needed, you can bring your own fabrics if you choose. It will include lunch as well as a sip of wine and some Vermont goat cheese after a hard day's work!!!

My thoughts are that the first day we will learn many of the basic hardback lampshade making skills, learn best materials and make a mid size hex, hex bell or square shade. And Day 2 we will go on to more advanced, larger shade frames; this is something we do not usually have time for in a one day workshop. I will also go over making drum shades and empire shades.

Please try to plan ahead as this will fill up. I will need a deposit in advance of workshop as space is limited.

Dates and Time: Oct 1st. Friday 11am-5pm & Oct 2nd Saturday 9am-3pm.

Please email me or call me at the shop if you are interested in this workshop. The only other workshop I am doing is a one day workshop on Nantucket July 20th: contact Nantucket Historical Association's 1800 House for more info.

note: this is also the weekend of The Hildene Craft Show, which you could visit on Sunday. The show is quite a fun fall event, not the run of the mill craft show. I took my new book to the show last years and had forgotten what a nice show it is; I started my craft business going to this show so many years ago. There are also several antique shows throughout Vermont this weekend.

Lampshade Lady's Favorite Antiquing Jaunts and Her List of Other Lampshade Ladys and Men

2010-02-18T09:03:00.000-08:00

In the process of editing my Lampshade Lady Book many of my antique sources as well as "other lampshade ladies and men" had to be cut due to space limits. The fun part of my business is finding the great fabrics, lamps and postcards. Yesterday I headed up to Chester, VT for a book demo/talk and of course I had to make a stop at The Stone House Antique Center just down the road from the book store. I found one lamp and a handful of well priced postcards; you just never know what you will find. As the say, the thrill of the hunt. Also shopping yesterday were two antique dealer ladies that had just "found" this antique center; they made many trips to the car with their purchases and no doubt will be back again.
I hope this list will be helpful to you. There are zillions more spots, but these are a few that I visit now and again. Feel free to suggest ones I may have missed. Enjoy.

Lampshade Lady's Sunday Shopping Spots:

east and south of my shop:

Stone House Antique Center
557 Rt. 103 South
Chester, VT 05143
(802) 875.4477
Colony Mill Antiques
22 West St, Keene, NH 03431
(603) 358.6343
Red Chair Antiques
14 Depot St.
Peterborough, NH. 03458
(603) 924.5953
Le Depot/Maiden Lane
Shirley Maiden
Elm St. Manchester Depot, VT 05255
(802) 362.2004
The Country Gallery Antiques
Janet Fram and Borge Hermansen
Rt. 315, Rupert, VT 05768
(802) 395.7753
Antique Center at Camelot Village
Rt 9 West
Bennington, VT 05201
(802) 447.0039
Comollo Antiques and Fine Art
Clark and Barbara Comollo
Rt.7A, Manchester Center, VT 05255
(802) 362.7189
East Arlington Antique Center
East Arlington Village
Arlington, VT 05252
(802)375.6144
Olde Antiques Market
Great Barrington, MA
(413) 637.4050

Sunday Antique Shops to my West

Tow Path Antiques and Books
(to be reopening in Hebron, NY )
Rose Cottage Collectibles
250 Broadway
White Hall,NY
Memory Lane Antique Center
10120 Rt 4, White Hall, NY
(518) 499-2915
Roy Egg Shop and Brad's Antique Shop
West Pawlet, VT 05775
(No Phone, No Website, But you should make it a stop! And, only on weekends.)
Meeting House Gallery
Rt. 22 and 2
Petersburgh, NY 12138
Bournebrook Antique Center
172 River St.
Troy, NY 12180
(518) 273.3027

Shops to the east and north:
1820 House Antiques
Carol Weher
82 South Main St,
Danby, VT 05739
(802) 293.2820
Vermont Wreath and Mt Tabor Antique Center
Rt.7
Danby, VT. 05739
(866) 412.2281
New Face Furniture
Barbara and Larry Kaminski
159 South Main St.
Wallingford, VT 05773
(802) 446.2961
weekends open
Who is Sylvia?
Janet Eller
26 Central St.
Woodstock,VT 05059
(802) 457.1110
Quechee Gorge Antique Center
5575 Woodstock Rd, RT 4
Quechee, Vt 05059
(800) 438.5565
Antiques Collaborative
William Bradley
Rt 4, Quechee, VT 05040
(802) 296.5858
Champlain Valley Antique Center
4067 Shelburne Rd, VT 05482
(802) 985.8116
Middlebury Antique Center
Rt 7 and 116
East Middlebury, VT 05740
(802) 388.6229
Cornish Trading
Lisa Fulginiti
Rt 25, Cornish, Me 04020
(207) 625.8387
Judy Pascal Antiques
6 Free St., Portland, Me 04101
(207) 347.5637
Cabot Mill Antiques and Collectibles
14 Maine St. Brunswick, Me 04011
(207) 725.2855

Other Lampshade Ladies and Men
Shades of Fancy
Nancy Cotiaux
(631) 588-0355
Gloria Lombard Designs
Charlston, South Carolina
(843) 557.0891
CM Shades
Cecilia McGuire
2951 Stage Rd.
Benson, VT 05743
(802) 537.3955
to the trade only
Sassy Shades
803 Melody Lane
Edmonds, WA 98020
(425) 712-3687
Shades of Excellance
Nancy Benjamin
P.O. Box130, Stratham, NH
(603) 772.1423
Lampscapes
Ken Blaisdel
77 Gates St.
White River Junction, VT 05001
(802) 295.8044
High Beams
Trenny Robb and Bob Michaud
Sutton, VT 05867
(802) 467.3943
Blanche P. Field
One Design Center Place
Boston, MA 02210
(617) 423.0715

Shandells
Susan Schneider
5916 N.Elm Ave
Millerton,NY 12546

update on antique shops: I've just read in the new issue of the antique rag, Unravel the Gavel, that there is a new large group shop opening March 1st in the center of Laconia, N.H. Laconia Antiques Center. Many dealers and buyers in the area have felt the loss of the great Burlwood Shop in Meredith, NH and this shop is to be even larger by 2500 feet. Guess I will have to skip my shortcut on my way to Maine and go through Laconia. Check it out.

Lampshade Lady Book Talk and Demo at Misty Valley Book Store Tomorrow

2010-02-16T07:08:00.000-08:00

Come Wednesday, February 17th @ 5:30 -6:30 for a Lampshade Demo and Book Talk at The Misty Valley Bookstore in Chester, Vermont

I will be sharing my story of starting Lake's Lampshades and also doing a lampshade demo. Come get lots of free tips and information on lampshade making. Once you get the basics you will be off and running. Misty Valley Book Store is one of the great Independent Bookstores in our area. I am looking forward to the evening, even though it might be the first snow storm that we have had in a long time... but thanks to 4 wheel drive I'll be all set getting up and over Bromley Mountain!

see you there.
judy

Valentines Book Give Away and Shades of Spring

2010-02-09T11:00:00.000-08:00

Shades of Spring! I recently bought a new bird feeder at my house. It took no time for the birds to find it. I must say it is fun to watch all the activity. I don't even mind the squirrel, that I thought was a chipmunk..... my mom and dad have the hugest squirrels at their house and ours is an itty bitty one, surely a different variety.
Just finished this shade. I'm pretty happy with the finished results. It'll be a quick seller- it's got blue and white, it can blend into many styles of homes, everyone likes birds. It's a happy little thing and will let nice light out. This is a vintage needlepoint in the front panel, vintage pillow ticking on the sides and finished with an embroidery edging from a dresser scarf. Lots of interesting textiles. The shape is a cut-corner square; the size is 8"high and 10" across the bottom. It is $125 dollars. A sweetie.

And doesn't this look like spring???? I'm just back from a quick walk at lunch; had to get out in sunshine and get my Vitamin D! Vermont keeps missing all the snow storms, poor Washington, DC. They are to get hit hard again. It might as well warm up if it's not going to snow....I'll keep making spring shades till it warms up, Here's another pair that I finished yesterday: Made from a vintage embroidery tablecloth. The trim is from the edging; fun to use the scallop the un-scallop direction. It glues on pretty smoothly. I've actually had this embroidery several times. It must have been made in quantity. The size is 5" top x 10" bottom x 7.5" high, washer top (but can be adapted for a clip with clip adapter). Cost $75 each.

And don't forget to send me your worst lampshade nightmares: to enter the Lampshade Lady Book Give Away. I will be choosing one on Sunday the 14th!

Spring is coming, even Fini was out most of the day! Phew, he's hardly left my side all winter.... his favorite spot is about 2" from my hands... after awhile he's a little needy. Or sitting on my lap as I type.

Lampshade Lady's Valentines Day Book Give Away

2010-02-06T08:28:00.000-08:00

I will be giving away an autographed copy of my Lampshade Lady Book just in time for Valentines Day. I want to hear your worst lampshade nightmares. How many times have you bought the wrong size, the wrong color. How much duck tape is holding your lampshade together. Click on the link to get my email; email me your stories. How many times did you have to go back to the Lighting Store??? Or send it back to Pottery Barn??? or Etsy??

I will be picking the winner on February 14th. Hope to hear from you.

Other shop news:

I will be in Chester, Vermont at The Misty Valley Bookstore on February 17th at 5:30pm for a demo/book signing.
I will be doing a one day workshop in Nantucket on July 20th. It will be affiliated with The Nantucket Historical Association's 1800 House Craft Workshops
I will have a 2 day workshop Oct 1&2 Friday and Saturday at my shop in Vermont, more info to come. It is the peak foliage weekend.
My shop will be featured in the May issue of Romantic Homes Magazine. Great timing to lead off the season!
Winter/Spring Lampshade Workshop update:My February workshop is full, March has plenty of room and April is almost full. No summer workshops in Vermont (no air conditioning....yet)

Tea Rose Needlepoint Shade with Bling!

2010-02-04T12:53:00.000-08:00

Check out this super pretty needlepoint. Now this is easy inspiration! I am trying to see if I have the same zen flow as Monday... pretty easy to design this shade, a little trickier. The needlepoint fits well into a large cut-corner frame I have and the green silk actually laminates well (silk doesn't always laminate). This is a good start.

I am gluing the panels to the wire frame. Quick glue and clothespins. I have trimmed up all my shade panels to fit the frames. Look at the edges where the 2 panels come together; they just meet and do not overlap. Super important.

All the panels have been added and I am using the ribbon as like a vice. It is quick glue so it will dry fast, but I've got other things to do and this method works well.

Isn't this a wonderful french cretonne. It has the softest color blending. I am a sucker for anything hydranga. I have used this fabric for the vertical self trims.

I've added a velvet braid on top. I love to mix trims, using one for the top and a different one for the bottom.

I've been dying to use this sequin trim. It's kind of funky on this shade. I think I like it. It's a little different than my style, but what the heck. Who knows maybe I'll pull it off in the am when I come in.
***Please excuse this post. I am still trying to figure out how Blogger has changed their their formatting...??? They have not made this easy for us old bitties...

I love hearing from you guys with calls and emails. Don't hesitate to make comments here. I don't think it's too hard. Everything is appreciated. Okay, back to work....I just got a wicked cool bluebird needlepoint. It has regular needlepoint and petipoint stitches. Does anyone know what that is called?? I love it best. The texture adds a great look.

xoxox,
judy

Sweet Vintage Embroidery Lampshade or Textile Collage of Sorts

2010-02-02T12:20:00.000-08:00

Geez, somedays I can really get carried designing and not even know where the time goes to....my style of meditation. The Zen of Lampshade Design... Somehow a couple hours have slipped by and I'm in the zone. I'm sure you guys know what I mean.... I'd say it's not a rare thing, but it doesn't happen all the time. Or maybe I just have to let it happen more often. Today I've started a couple of fun projects.

I'll show you the first one. It is a square clip shade, 4" top x 7" bottom x 7" high. A nice size table/desk lamp shade. Here's the embroidery I am working with. It has tons of holes, but most of the embroidery part is fine; I will work around the bad parts. I have chosen the square shape because that is what works best with the amount of fabric and the pattern. It will keep most of " the good stuff" intact.

I cut out the 4 panels of styrene and laminated them to the fabric and cut out. Note: I trimmed the back of the embroidery; this can be tedious and you have to be careful not to nip the fabric.... done that before!!! I trim the threads because it looks better when lite up.

All was going swell till I had to figure out trims... nothing really matched for the trims- so I found something similar. Another embroidery scrap that blended really pretty. I am showing the pressure sensitive cloth tape. I comes on big rolls-sticky on one side. The Lampshop calls it "Bias Fold Trim Backer #322. It goes on the back of the fabric.

Next for the top and bottom trim. This took some searching. The grass green is not one of my colors, which can sometimes be a problem cause I don't have too many things in my shop that is that color and don't usually want to highlight it. I found these 2 scallop edgings from 2 different vintage pieces. It can be fun to use them by folding the edge back onto itself. I added the 5/8" grosgrain first and then the scallop edging.

I added the trims. It's funny how some of the coolest shades don't look so great in photographs... this one looks much better in my shop.... oh well. And here it is lit up on a vintage glass lamp.

Cost: $75.

I want to mention a blog:Textile Treasure Seeker

It's is a great blog for all of us fabric lovers. Katie is a freelance writer and very generously reviewed my book. Thank You Katie! I really appreciate the wonderful review. I loved her blog list; it was such a treat to see some fresh new blogs from the UK. I recommend checking out her site. Blogging sure has made the world a little smaller once again. And now it's time for another cup of tea on this side of the ocean.

Monday's Lampshade How-to Project

2010-01-25T10:56:00.000-08:00

Today's project. Might as well start the week with a fun project. This is a very sweet vintage kitty applique tablecloth. The image fits well into this scallop clip frame (7" high x 10" across the bottom).

This is pretty miserable, whatever blogger has done...used to be so easy. Probably it is obviously easy, just clueless.Okay, so I was able to load the next picture in...again.... Here is the front panel of the kitty.

I am tracing around the outside of the lampshade frame with a thin marker. I will cut it out next. Fabric is laminated to styrene.
My assistant, Fini is inspecting my progress. He likes to be as close as possible.... I am thinking about trims. I've used the green polka dots on the vertical self-trims. They are from a vintage apron. I thought they would add some interest as there was only one applique to use. I learned today that I like the polka dot pattern off center, ie dots not going straight down the center strip.

Also using these other finds. The crochet edging is something I stowed away for a rainy day. yup! That's today, rainy, rainy. The other trim is an embroidery insert strip that I found at the flea market; it's been super handy for projects. Hope I find more someday.

Close up of trims.

Here it's finished. Trims have been added. Might be cute for a little girls room.

I hope to have the new blogger format figured out.... I'm sure it is improved, but ...... giving me more gray hairs.

Tomorrow I am off to jury duty..... and will be wishing I was back in my shop. There is still spots for my Saturday workshop. Feel free to leave any messages for me about the workshop on the shop answering machine. I'll be checking in. No idea how many days this jury duty will be.... wish me luck.
sold

January 30th Lampshade Workshop

2010-01-18T12:44:00.000-08:00

January 30th Lampshade Workshop in Pawlet, Vermont at Lake's Lampshades
is just around the corner. 11am- 5ish. $150 includes all materials except fabric. I have several students signed up but have room for a couple more. If you are worried about the weather this time of year.... it's sunny today, but if the weather is bad I can slip you into a class at another time.
If cabin fever is settling in:
come play with fabrics and glue. Everyone gets to leave with a finished lampshade, an instant satisfaction or at least a well earned one! My students are always super proud of themselves after they finish their shades. I love to see everyone's finished product.
Often Students will pick up supplies for a couple of shades after the class:
this is handy to go home with enough to make a shade right away.... and remember how the heck you did it.
Some students come to start a business, some come for a day of creativity and others come to learn to remake all their own lampshades...
who knows maybe it will turn into a business, just like mine obsession did. I didn't start making lampshades to turn it into a business, but look 20 plus years later!!
It's a nice way to use a vintage treasure from your attic.
I always encourage recycling stained tablecloths, an unframed needlepoint, an old crewel pillow who knows what you might have stowed away. I had a Pierre Deux skirt that turned into 3 lampshades!

hope you can come,
judy

ps give the shop a call for a reservation: 802-325-6308 or email me at judylake@vermontel.net

Vintage Embroidery Scallop Lampshade

2010-01-15T10:32:00.000-08:00

I'm just back after a delightful day at The Equinox Hotel in Manchester, Vermont. I was asked to tell my Lampshade Lady Story to The Winter Conference of The WBON. Of course I have been fretting about public speaking since Sept... but one more time getting out of the comfort zone of life. I decided to do a demo making up a big Drum Shade made out of vintage chenille; a pretty large and cumbersome project to do in front of a large crowd, but good for a few laughs.

The group was a diverse group of woman business owners. I enjoyed meeting new people and hearing their stories. The hotel had significant meaning for me. The old hotel had been shuttered for 15 plus years and reopened in 1985. My husband Carson was hired as the Sous Chef at the time of it's reopening and we moved from The Mad River Valley down to Southern Vermont. And I had also help start a juried craft show at the hotel many years ago at the beginning of my lampshade business.
The big decision: Which trim to use. This shade stumped me 2 times, but like the final product. First I added a crochet trim and ripped it off... and also tried a sweet pink and white trim. Also thought of this green and yellow floral trim (above). And ended up with the vintage lavender trim. That the one! It works the best, doesn't look forced and adds the finishing touch. I am always saying how hard the trim can be and this was a great example of it. Some shades it is a no brainer; it's clearly obvious what to choose, others aren't so easy.

I tried it onto this sweet vintage boudoir lamp. Fits it just right. Okay, now it's back to finishing customers orders.... no more procrastinating. This shade did make it feel a bit like springtime.

A Blog is a blog is a Blog

2010-01-10T12:07:00.000-08:00

Over the holidays I have had enjoyed some downtime from my usual work routine. I love spending time traveling the world in search of really great new design ideas and of course fabrics. At an ants pace I am learning bits of technology; my biggest excitement was figuring our how to make my website link on my email signature. And, yes it was so easy.... if I'd only known...that I actually needed that HTTP:// part....simple.

From my blog research, some of the most popular blogs are created as catchalls of content from other designers; the blog owners are more of an Editorial Magazine Role, picking and choosing their favorite finds of the blog world and beyond. And then there is the design oriented blogs that are full of original content choosing to show their unique products, share their travels, their favorite recipes or whatever their forte. And then there are those that are a little of both. It's not easy to come up with original ideas everyday. Some days it's a piece of cake and others the words and ideas are hiding deep.

One of my favorite tools when researching blogs is to go through the "favorite blogs lists". Isn't it amazing where the time goes, traveling from one blog onto the next and then onto the next blog favorites list. You can whip around the world in no time flat. For me it's great. I live in one of the most beautiful places on earth, but I don't get much of a chance to get the heck out of here to poke in city shops or wander through Europe or head to Iceland. I have traveled lots and long to hit the road again, but day to day business keeps me going 1.5 miles to work and back on most days.

Another fun way to kill an hour is to keep hitting the NEXT button on Blogger. Have you ever tried that? It's pot luck; sometimes great and sometimes it's about one's lastest illness or family pets.... but sometimes it's great. One day I found a great blog in Finland. Having lived in Sweden for a year I enjoy seeing what the design trends are up in Scandinavia. Great new stuff, new ideas and all at my fingertips. It amazes me all the languages that pop up; I sometimes forget English isn't the only one; you know living up here in Vermont.... it's pretty white bread.

I am in the process of updating my own blog list. My web guy has moved my blog to my website, sooooooo.... technology challenges me to figure out how to change my blog list. Yikes.

I always suggest my business friends start a blog... they are free (at least for the basics)! It is handy to look back and have a record of some of my work. It makes me write which is always a good exercise. It makes me pull my camera out of it's case now and then. And it makes the world feel a little smaller, even from the couch.
And hopefully more than my mom is reading this.... enjoy the rest of the weekend
xoxo,
judy

A Little January R & R

2010-01-08T14:22:00.000-08:00

I've been taking a short break this week. A good time to curl and with a book and just catch up stuff that has been falling in the cracks. My to do list was far longer than my time off. Top on list was watching snow fall while reading book. How's that for chilling out. I sort of finished my book group book, City of Dinns... didn't love it. And now back to what I was reading before, Chronic City, Jonathan Lethem and enjoying his quirkiness.

Girly Bob is curled up too. She was happy to have me around the house. When she isn't sleeping she stalks the kitchen for food; once a stray....always out hunting for food opportunities. I'm back in the shop now and Fini is very happy to see me and am pretty sure he'll be clinging on for dear life most of the day....(he is sitting on my lap as I try to type).

Wednesday I have been asked to tell my story at The Womans Business Owners Network annual meeting to be held at The Equinox Hotel. Yikes, looking forward to having this behind me... I guess it will be okay. One more step out of the comfort zone, what doesn't kill us makes us stronger. Thought that was 2009's motto.

okay, back to my winter workshops... lots of room left. The first workshop is Jan 30th at 11 am.
These are one shot deals not a series. Everyone leaves a wonderful finished lampshade. Let me know asap if you are interested. I'll post tomorrow more on workshops.

Hear's to a Happy Blue Full Moon Tonight

2009-12-31T12:17:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year! What a wild year it has been. I can't imagine another year like this. This is the time of year I dread... shop is slow, chilly days, not many sales... but slowly but surely I start to love this time of year. It is beautiful out; snow topped houses and flower stocks poking through the snow. I slow down and take time to catch up. It's time to make plans to work on my website, get more product up on Etsy, get my book out farther afield in the world, tweeck my blog format, get a few more book events.... It's fun to search through design blogs around the world. Basically take it easy and catch up.

Here's a picture of my jewel tree. I recently told my son, when I'm not around don't you dare throw out this!!! I made it a few years ago. What a fun project. It weighs a ton and took hours to complete. I started with finding a big jar old junk jewelry at one of my antique stops. That was a big help and then started searching in my vintage button box, looking for beads and junk in bottoms of jars and baskets kicking around my bureau and shop.

I covered the Styrofoam cone with silk and started glue gunning and glue gunning and glue gunning. Below is a close up picture.
This is one of my favorite finds of the year. A mercury glass antique curtain pushpin. I epoxied it onto a finial base. I've never seen one, wicked handsome piece. A keeper.
Last picture of the year, vintage pushpin finial on a hanging drum lamp.

Winter in Pawlet, Vermont

2009-12-30T10:16:00.000-08:00

The fresh fallen snow and almost full moon cleans up our crusty little village. The dusk Alpenglow brings such a magical light for the short time of day as the sun goes down and reflects it's light to the hills in The Mettowee Valley. Check out my new door into the shop. Wow. sure does let more light in and the best part is that I can't see any light through the cracks in the door. Still needs paint, but we are bound to have a warm up one of these El Nino January days.

Here's the view I see from my work desk. I love the old brick building that now houses McChesney Realestate. The building had been in a fire in the 70's and rebuilt to it's original state. Next door in the little red barn is Solon Gallery which seems to be open by chance or appointment.

Pawlet Town Hall, 0 Degrees and almost full moon. The town has been restoring this great old building. As in many rural towns there has been a clash of visions; some had wished this old place was pushed down the hill and rebuilt in the outskirts to look like a Rit Aid. I am happy we have chosen to save a treasure. Charm like this isn't recreated so easily.
Pawlet Library, just down from my shop. This had been our elementary school for K-2, but now recreated for the town library. A super resource and meeting place for our small community.
Looking left from my shop towards the general store, Mach's Market. It doesn't look too congested there right now, but this is one hell of an intersection. Usually pick up trucks are parked perpendicular to the store at times creating a one way exit out to the main road. Often at the busy times it is pretty hairy. Cars come around the corner way too fast; how no one has been hurt here I'll never know.
cold, cold almost full moon night.

Craft Workshops, Schedule for 2010 for Lake's Lampshades

2009-12-28T12:14:00.000-08:00

My 2010 Schedule as of 12.28.09:

January 13th: Speaking at Equinox Hotel, WBON Annual Conference, How to Light up Your Life and evolution of Lake's Lampshades

January 30: workshop at Lake's Lampshades, Pawlet 11 am-5pm $150

February 13: ditto from above

February 17th: Book talk and Demo at Misty Valley Books, Chester, Vermont 5:30, free

March 13: workshop at Lake's Lampshades, Pawlet

April 17th: workshop at Lake's Lampshades, Pawlet

May 10-16: Brimfield Flea Market, Shelton's Antique Show, booth B53

May 29-30: Vermont Open Studio Tours, self-guided craft tours 10am-5pm

July 19-20: Workshop in Nantucket. Nantucket Historical Society.

Carson Lake Reflexolgy

2009-12-24T10:39:00.000-08:00

I am happy to do some shameless family promotion today. It's Christmas Eve Day and Carson is gearing up to start his new career in Reflexology. At midlife he is excited to venture into a new life's direction. In the 25 years that Carson and I have been married he has always had a strong interest in Reflexology. When we were first together Carson would haul out these laminated reflexology cards from his wallet to see where the pressure points were for whatever ailment I might have had.

Just before the birth of my son Duncan, I said to Carson, let's check out that old reflexology book you have to see if there are any tips for childbirth. Sure enough, Childbirth: use 2 half moon combs in your hands and squeeze as the contractions come and ease off with the pressure as the contracts subside. I had a 5 hour labor! The book did say, DO NOT DO THIS UNLESS YOU ARE PREPARED TO GIVE BIRTH, and went on to tell a story how this farm lady did it while her husband was out working on the field. She went into labor at home and had to go round him up to help delivery their baby.
Reflexology is an ancient art of healing going back 2345 BC. It is based on the premise that there are zones and reflex areas in our feet and hands that correspond to our body. It is a natural, drug free treatment options for a variety of health problems. It is used to reduce pain, ease pain over used hands and feet, helps promote balance and normalization of the body, reduces stress and brings on relaxation. It improves circulation and delivery of oxygen and nutrients to cells.

Carson will be starting his practice at The Circle of Healing in Pawlet, Vermont on January 1, 2010. He is having an introductory offering of 3 sessions for $90. Give yourself a treat for the new year! This will be available through February 2010. Give him a call at 802.325.3641 or email him at woodfire@vermontel.net

good luck Carson!

I know you will be fabulous in your new career! I just hope you will have time for work on me, too!!!
love,
judy

What a Year and Mumbles on Writing a Book

2009-12-22T08:17:00.000-08:00

Happy Holidays, Merry Christmas and a special thanks to all my friends for keeping me going this year. It's been a crazy year.... it amazes me how many people keep making beautiful books. An anxious beginning of the year waiting for proofs of my Lampshade Lady Book. The proof arrived at my house one cold winter day, I was giving a workshop and had to run home to let the dogs out for a pee and there the Fed Ex box sat by the door. I beamed with joy as I headed back to the workshop with book in hand. The proof was a great help to me to get the idea of how the book would look, but with no color it was still hard to get the feel for the beauty of Ryan and George's beautiful images.

I have learned more about publishing in a tight economy than I probably should write here.... how many assistant editors did I have... 3, how many editors did I have...2, my marketing person left the week before the book was released... so, guess I wasn't the only one left high and dry. But then there were all the great people along the way, fantastic book designers, a super publicist and her assistant that always emailed very promptly and efficiently and I only wish I had her longer....

Being a first time author is such a funny place to be. Will people buy my book I worked so hard on? I had so many questions... Oh the confidence fluctuated by the hour. Up and down, up and down.... by the hour. An unanswered email... something in my little world was unheard of until this year. If it doesn't want to be answered it won't be.... hummm. okay, it did harden me up a little. Confidence is a funny thing; as an artist I did develop a certain amount crust in art school. I think back to the first day of drawing class with Frank Hewitt at UVM; we had to put up our work for the class and for Frank to critique, yikes that was pretty scary. Oh, do I remember that. Or putting work out at the first craft show- what will the public think??? It is putting yourself out to the world. And your first book has a similar feeling; will they like it? It is lampshades after all....I would wonder will Interior Designers respect my work?? would bloggers write about it?? I did get called a plump brunet... yes, only in LA... true I am a plump brunet.... too funny that they would write it. Duncan said what do you expect Mom, it's LA.. so, that was a first. And my bud Nelson said, that's what you get when you play with the big boys and wrote a very funny poem. (thanks Nelson).

One of the best parts of the year was my book release party here at the shop. I was the caterer, the tent company, the chef, the wine shopper, etc. A big job but I must say an awesome party. Carson and his band played, Bob handled the bar, 4 kd tents popped up on the shop lawn, the humid rain held off till the last guest left. I felt so honored to have so many wonderful, colorful friends. It must have been the hottest day of the summer; I was dripping wet setting up the food, bar, tents, etc. heading for a quick cold shower to take a little red out of my face and a deep breath walking back to the start of the party. It was to be a special night; so hard to be the one in the center, but by the time it started I was able to enjoy the moment.

The tight economy has actually helped the craft businesses, craft books, and how-to books. I found customers still wanted to spend money and wanted something special not the run of the mill mall items. It has been a busy year. And yes, I got through my first book signing/talk... nervous nelly.... but with sage words of advice from 6th grade Eadon, "Judy you'll love it once you get up there, you won't want to get down." Thank goodness for his young words. I kept them in my mind as I rambled on.

And trying to describe making a lampshade on Martha radio with Betsy and Kim... that's sort of hard to do, especially at 8 am. It was fun and went by way too fast. Always a first and there were many this year. But at 50 it is a good time to break out of the comfort zone of life. Guess menopause is good for something- what the hell, right??? Yup!

On to a new year. I've gotten a second wind and off and running with new marketing ideas for 2010. Workshops at Lake's Lampshades, a speaking event at The Equinox Hotel for the WBON... a Workshop in Nantucket at The Nantucket Historical Society, a few book signings and demos, back to Brimfield in May for selling and hopefully buying treasures.

thanks for a great year,
judy

Holiday Lampshade Making

2009-12-21T13:16:00.001-08:00

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.

My Official Assistant and Todays Work

2009-12-04T12:41:00.000-08:00

My shop has been known in the kitty world has a good place to hang! Kitty has been here since April. He arrived half dead, skinny and who knows where from. His ears, tail and paws had been frost bitten. He was really dirty and stinky and really ratty looking. It was a Monday morning and there he was sitting on my couch as so many other stray kitty have done in the past. Oh boy, I say and a few *@*@*@* . He looked like he was going to die right here now my couch. Now he's gained lots of weight, very clean and has gotten lots of nice handsome thick fur.

I have tried to find a good home for him several times.... but looks like he just became the head lampshade assistant. He loves it here in Pawlet Village and most of the neighbors love him too. I have just ordered him the fanciest kitty door I could find ( hate kitty litter...yuck.)

He does like sitting on my work table- right in the middle of everything! Looking forward to the kitty door. If he had his way he would be a scarf; I've never had such a cuddly kitty. He also is very chatty; good for quiet days at the shop. So you'll probably be seeing more pictures of him as he likes to be right in the middle of everything. You should have seen him at my book release party in August. He was thrilled with all the people that came; he layed right in the middle of the cat mint outside my door and eventually everyone thought he was cute and he did the scarf thing with them. A Hay Day!

A needlepoint lampshade day. Here's two shades that are headed to my good friend Judy Pascal's Shop on Free Street in Portland, Maine. These were a blast to design. So many options. The size lampshade frame was limited by the size of the needlepoint. The first one was quite small and I went for the square bell. I used a vintage ticking fabric for the side trim and a Houles onion tassel for the bottom. The top I used the same trim and snipped off the tassels.

Here's the next shade and Kitty, too. The inspector making sure I've designed the prettiest lamp shade in all of New England. (although it looks like he's snoozing on the job). Another needlepoint, a French Ticking and a French Barkcloth for the trims. A cut -corner square shade. Nice for the holidays. Check of Judy Pascal's shop in Portland.

Lampshade Making: all the work on my desk....

2009-12-03T12:07:00.000-08:00

I love when the day starts off with a good project. I am sneaking a day away from my orders to make a few shades for the shop. The constant battle, do I fill orders or get to play with my favorite flea market finds. Here's a super pretty french needlepoint. It's so arty and elegant which led me to use this cut corner rectangle bell which is 9" high and 12" across the bottom.
Here it is lite up. I've used a raw linen for the rest of the panels and a velvet braid for top and bottom. Cost $150. Such a special treat. My newest shop favorite.
Here;s a slightly fuzzy detail. Some interesting stiches.
Next up today was a finishing a pair of hex clip vintage French Ticking. It's a red time of year.... so getting a few made for the shop. 5" top x 10" bottom x 7" high. $75 each. They clip onto the light bulb.

The European grain sacks have had their day in the sun. And they do make nice shades, too. A bit thick to use for trimming, but works fine for the panels. I used a lighter weight for the self-trims.
This is a one of a kind. $75.00

Lake's Lampshade Workshops for 2010

2009-11-15T16:20:00.000-08:00

Winter/Spring Lampshade Workshops 2010 w/ Judy Lake, author of:
The Lamphade Lady's Guide to Lighting up Your Life
Jan.30
Feb. 13
March 13
or
April 17th

all Saturdays.

Time: 11am-5pm.

Location: Lake's Lampshades, 60 School St. Pawlet, VT

No summer workshops in Vermont, no air conditioning....:)

These are single workshops not a series. Everyone leaves with a finished lampshade and lots of new lighting info and skills to make fabric hardback lampshades.

COST: $150 for all materials except fabric. Students will bring the fabric of their choice, about 1/2 yd. I encourage you to search through family linen closest or attic to find vintage finds or hit the antique shops. Vintage fabric works easier than new fabric. Must be cotton or linen fiber content.

Students can buy materials after class for a few shades. It's a good idea to do a couple shades soon after our workshop.

Reservations are a must due to small workspace and preparations on my end. Please try to plan ahead. Workshops are lots of fun. Some students come and make one shade and other come to start a business or make all new lampshades for their home. A great resource for interior designers. There is always lots to learn in the lighting world. I am still learning something new everyday and have been making shades for over 20 years!

Bright Lights For November

2009-11-10T17:14:00.000-08:00

It's been a wicked hectic fall. It's been pretty crazy trying to run a business and promote a book. Phew, it feels like there might possibly be a chance to take a breath.

I made the executive decision to take 3 days off last week. My arm/shoulder needed a break. My good friend, Dawn made the great suggestion to have a spa day. Yay, that was pretty decadent. My friends had generously given me a gift certificate for The Spa at The Equinox Hotel. So off we went.... an hour and a half massage, sitting by the pool in luxurious thick lined robes, lunch by to pool w/ pinot noir, a few trips to the hot tub outside, sunshine streaming in to give light to my book. Even got in a bunch of laps in the warmest pool ever! About 5pm we sauntered out to Dawn's car and headed back to reality. Yes, we deserved it! And yes it was a blast. Wish we'd brought a camera.... but on the other hand, just as well we didn't.

I'm just getting recharged to get out and promote my book again. If any of you guys have any great ideas.... Workshops for winter will be announced soon. I will most likely have one in Feb, March and April on Saturdays.

My shop hours are usually, Mon, Tues, Thurs, Fri and Saturday 10am-5pm. A call is always suggested if you are coming from a distance. It's only me and sometimes things come up, but I am almost always there...My shop is in our little village of Pawlet, not the retail mecca, but a great place for a working studio/retail combination.

We have a new business that has just opened 2 doors down from my shop, Sew Bead It. Bonnie Smith and family have moved her shop down into the village. I am thrilled to have another craftswomen in town. Welcome Bonnie!
Bonnie's got tons of beads and gives classes, too.

When the days start to get longer I get the urge to change up some of my lampshades at home. Just added a few great shades to my home... so easy to switch a few out and brighten up my living space. You would think I would have enough lamps and shades in my house.... no, never enough new ones. I love to change things around and make my house fell fresh again. It's fun to play house....