Showing posts with label lampshade. Show all posts
Showing posts with label lampshade. Show all posts

Tuesday, January 12, 2010

Painted Lampshade Do's & Don'ts


I decided to try painting this lampshade that had some unpleasant dark spots all over it.  Since I had to paint some wood molding pieces for our bath remodeling project (soon to have it’s one year anniversary of duration) I used the same brush and cream-colored latex paint for the shade.

 I am happy with the streaky effect, and the way the paint mottled with all the stains.

Some of the panels of the shade have this oval design because the inside and outside layers of fabric on the shade got stuck together.  I’m working on embracing that look.  Next time I would try to separate the layers before they dried.  Spray paint would have worked, but I try to avoid using it.  That nasty empty can going into the garbage is a huge issue for me.

I can be a scaredy cat about some things (head stands in yoga, going off of diving boards), but I am fearless with something like painting a lampshade or cutting up a sweater.  I figure I have nothing to lose.  It’s a thing that can be reused some other way, even if my first idea is a dud.

The lamp base came from the Goodwill.  These monster, plaster-filled bases are plentiful, and usually come painted in colors that need covering.  I kept adding layers of paint, and wiping some paint off until the right look showed up.  I don’t take any chances with old lamps and their wiring.  It’s easy to pop in a new socket, cord and plug.

On these dark and rainy days, a new lamp is a welcome addition. -- Beth

Wednesday, March 25, 2009

Kristi's Lovely Lampshades

Kristi is a customer friend of ours, who visits the studio to rescue vintage fabrics for her lampshade business. After some nudging, she finally sent us some pictures of her work. Wow! They are impeccably made and charming as all get out. We love them!




Her Etsy sight: Sassy Shades is up, but still under construction. It should be up and running soon. In the meantime, you can contact Kristi Uvence at 425-712-3687 or at sassyshades08@aol.com. She plans to sell her lampshades at the Edmonds Market a few times this summer as well as the Fremont Market. Custom design for customers is available as well with a variety of fabrics. She even can incorporate your sentimental textiles. Her son’s sports t-shirts were used in this more contemporary shade.


Kristi is another Queen of Re-Use!

Tuesday, February 10, 2009

Recharge with Ribbon

One of my favorite ways to recharge is to stay home and create something just for fun. I made this lampshade this morning. A couple of weeks ago on a Snohomish fun day I was very inspired by a couple of fabulous lampshades Debi Ward Kennedy made for her booth at Faded Elegance. I decided I needed to create one too for my nest.



First of all is finding a semi-empty space to work on. Here is the space available on my studio table. Of course I needed to check my email first and eat a cookie.


This lampshade came off the lamp I wanted to re-shade.



It's a miracle, but I figured out it didn't have the right skeleton for this project before I ripped off the middle cloth part. If I had, I would have been left with a top part like this and a separate bottom ring.



Back to the lampshade holding area to find this lovely one.



I dumped out my bag of blue ribbon scraps. This was easy because of my ribbon organizing system I explained here.



Ribbon pieces were tied around the top and bottom of the lampshade frame.
Once I started, it was hard to tear myself away to get another cup of coffee. And I really like my coffee in the morning.



Done and happy! -- Beth