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.

Lake's Lampshade Updates,May/June Vermont Magazine and Mumbles

Very exciting news for Pawlet Village and West Pawlet Artist: See the May/June issue of Vermont Magazine. Page 21, Pawlet Palette, by Carl Decker and Nancy Levine. We say a big thank you to the gang at Vermont Magazine. It's a great way to start the spring season. They have featured artisans in the hub of both villages including, Milliner-Denise Tilley, Me, Painter- Roy Egg, Photographer- Stephen Schaub, Photographer-George Bouret, Painter- Matt Solon and our 2 General Stores, Machs General Store and Dutchies Store.
Check it out.


Here is a new shade made recently in the shop. I found this handsome crewel this winter on ebay. There was only enough for the front panel of this large rectangle. I had planned to match the linen..... but nothing was quite right. I ended up contrasting the front panel with the Susan Sargent fabric. The shade is trimmed with a self-trim fabric scrap I had around my shop (never through anything out!)

Come to Vermont for OPEN STUDIO WEEKEND. It's this weekend, Memorial Day, Sat and Sunday.

Best Laid Plans... but a few good finds

I did manage to headed south to Brimfield on Mothers day. I made my first stop at the Stone Antique Center in Chester, VT. (Can't go by without stopping.) Didn't find anything that grabbed me, hopped back in my car and my nose started running... and running. oh, no. my first time away, it's mothers day and I am getting a cold..... sh.t..... how can it be. I pressed on, slowly keeping my wits about me..... shucks. I hate to be sick and I was so excited to get a few days away from home and work.... I only managed one night and a couple quick go rounds at The Textile Show. My bank account is very happy..... but of course managed to spend every dollar on my wallet...Here are a few pretty treasures I found.
I am making a large rectangle shade today with the turquoise, green and white fabric today. I am doing it next after today's blogging blabs. I love the big polka dots. My shop always does well with the Vermonty Grandma Moses Prints. I splurged on the vintage William Morris fabric. Also got a big stack of animal redwork, a few birds, Dumbo the Elephant, even a very sweet mouse one.
The Sturbridge Textile Show is 2 big rooms and several hall spaces and other small rooms. You never know what you will find. Sometimes I go looking for a few things in particular, but often I go with an open mind. Searching for fabrics that call out to me and screams, you must buy me!! I make my way around the show buying only those must have things first and then the 2nd time around rethinking the other fabric possibilities.

Yesterday I made this sweet small rectangle clip on shade. It is made with an embroidery I found on Ebay recently. It had a perfect small scallop edging on the cloth. Just the right touch for finishing up the shade. The shade size is: 3.5"x5"top by 6.5"x9"bottom by 6.5" high. $75.

Come Make a Happy Shade Like this! May 16th 11am in Pawlet, Vermont

Come join me for a small workshop on May 16th. 11am-5pm $150 includes everything but fabric. Use a favorite old skirt, Grandma's embroidery dresser scarf, a needlepoint found in the attic or a mod piece of new fabric. Or head to the flea market to find your favorite treasure. This is the last workshop till fall. It's a full day to learn a new skill and leave with a great lampshade for your house. Some students just want to make one and others continue on to start a business. You will receive instructions and sources to find materials, retail and wholesale.

Here's a wild shade I made last week. I love when the designing process falls together so effortlessly. I'm sure you know what I mean. Sometimes I will be designing a shade or lamp and it is so painfully difficult; nothing seems to work. The shape seems wrong for the fabric, the trim is too fussy and over worked and on and on. BUT, it is such a high when you hit it right on the money. It doesn't happen all the time, but when it does it must let out all those endorphins!!!
This shade went together so fast, I dare tell you how fast..... nothing was going to interrupt the progress. I guess I visualized the idea on Tuesday and needed to hunter/gather cool beads on Wednesday and made it on Thursday. So, clearly there is planning, but bet it took me less than an hour to make it!!! Guess I shouldn't give this away, but the fabric is easy to work with, the shade wasn't too big and the plan was in place, sort of.

I picked up this fabric about 10 years ago at the great vintage shop,Who's Sylvia in Woodstock, Vermont. I had used part of it for my office chair covering up the ugly seat. It was one of those fabrics that wasn't very "IN" at the time, but interesting. It was a vintage house dress; I'd dare say it was so ugly it was beautiful. Re-cycled into this happy little shade. I just may have to keep it, maybe it won't sell!!!!