Creating Handmade Lamps

Important Things in My Workspace

2008-11-24T19:23:00.003-05:00

What important items do I keep in my workspace? Tools such as scissors, pins, rulers, all the necessary items for sewing as well as a variety of glues for different purposes. Materials like luscious chiffons, and silks and lots and lots of cotton fabrics. Flowers for decorating the teacup and teapot lamps are always in abundance. Clothespins! Can't make decorative table lamps or any other kind of novelty or accent lamps without clothespins! And what victorian lamp would be complete without lace and fringe. I have lots of lace and fringe in my stash. The victorian suncatchers need rings and gimp and decals to be completed. I also keeps lots and lots of books and magazines about crafts and pictures of lamps.

Oh and lastly, I keep my prayers for each product that I make flowing in abundance to God.

Does your workspace inspire you?

2008-11-23T23:12:00.003-05:00

I've been thinking about how I get ideas for my handmade lamps. I have lots, and I do means lots, of magazines and books that I refer to often. These give me ideas and inspiration to create.

There are so many crafty people in this world and I learn from them as much as I can. I always have some project going on in the craft room which inspire another and another and another. I'm online a lot checking out other crafty people. Like http://www.myvictorianelegance.com/table.html. I love her hat lampshade! I want to make one too! And these soaps are just the cutest at http://www.specialtysoapshop.com/. Someday I'll make soap again too but they won't be as nice as these are!

Fabrics also inspire me. I like to think about what lamp they would look great on or maybe a treasure gift box.

Hmmm....I feel like getting inspire right now.

Setting Up Your Workspace

2008-11-21T16:06:00.002-05:00

I'm always moving things around in my space to make room to work! I do have one area on the counter that I keep a piece of butcher paper on so when I'm gluing I don't mess up the nice counter. I try to keep things that I'm finished with in their proper places. I do have a lot of teacup lamps on the counter now as I've just finished glueing the cups to the saucers. My craft room is big enough to have several projects going at the same time; however, I get frustrated and distracted with too many in view at the same time! I would love to have an empty work space so I could keep it clean. Hmm....bigger room maybe?

About my Work Space

2008-11-18T11:17:00.002-05:00

I am blessed to have a craft room in my basement where I can escape to work. My husband spent hours building walls and installing cabinets with his father. I have a place for most everything. I say most because I don't know any crafter that can resist buying more craft supplies! The picture above is after the room was first finished. I'm too embarrassed to show you what it looks like now!

I have wonderful lighting with four florescent bulbs in each light area. There are four areas all within 22 feet.

This is also my laundry area, which works out great as I frequently need to wash or iron my fabrics. I have a sewing area, an embroidery area, and a work area for making my lampshades, as well as two wing back chairs in which to relax and work on my handmade items.

I am looking for organization ideas for silk flowers. Right now they are in vases on top of the counter. I'm also looking for ways to store lots of ribbon spools. I like to see what I have so that I don't forget about it. Every cabinet door and drawer is labeled with what it contains. I purchased some of the plastic drawers for my lampshade making trims so they are always within easy reach. The scrapbooking supplies are also in a plastic three drawer on rollers.

Since I use a laptop, it is easy to work anywhere on the necessary book work. I'm usually sitting at my desk in the other area of the basement.

So that's where I work when I'm creating the lampshades and gift boxes and suncatchers and just about every other craft I enjoy making.

New Handmade Order

2008-11-12T22:14:00.002-05:00

I'm working on a new handmade lampshade order that I received while at WQLN. The lady saw me last year and asked if I could do the lampshade and then lost my business card. She took a chance that I would be at the show and brought the antique lamp with her. I'm glad. It is going to be fun to work on.

This is the back of the lamp. The flowers look like campbell or bleeding hearts.

This is the front with bleeding hearts and a rose.

This is my choice of fabrics. The green is Moire. The gimp is a pale pink peach color. I'm thinking about embroidering a flower on the front or adding an applique.

WQLN Craft Show 2008

2008-11-08T20:03:00.003-05:00

I just returned from my second day of selling at WQLN Craft Show in Erie. There were quite a few people shopping and I did see bags, unfortunately not too many of mine! I wore my new hat today and got lots of comments.

A nice older lady next to me offered to take my picture. She was a bright spot in my day.

WQLN Craft Show 2008

2008-11-06T22:10:00.002-05:00

So here it is another year has passed and I'm ready to do WQLN again. I'm hoping that it is as good as last year even with the economy supposedly being down. I only have an 8' table this year instead of a 14'. I'll have the lamps, treasure gift boxes, and suncatchers. I haven't decided whether I'll put out the bouncy ball soaps; maybe just the little tub. I have from 8a. until 1p. to set up. I'm not sure whether I'll have electric or not so I've printed my inventory list and will take a calculator just in case. Last year we had to put shims under the table as the floor was uneven, so I've packed some of those. I'm doing this one alone as I was able to fit everything in the car.

Tonight we went to the Erie Guild Craft meeting where they told us that there were 1300 people in attendance at the show in October. I hope WQLN has a lot more than that. Tomorrow is going to be a big day for me so off to bed I go.

Exotic Wood Pen and Pencil Set Complete

2008-10-28T18:39:00.003-04:00

We just finished an order for a pen and pencil set made from Teak wood. The customer sent us the wood which he used to make the base for the set. He is putting an antique fishing wheel on the base and selling it on ebay. I'll post the link to it as soon as he finishes it. For now, here's a picture of the set made of the Teak with Bloodwood ring. Bloodwood is a tropical hardwood from South America. It is from the mulberry family. It is not widely available and is expensive. The pen and pencil are 5-3/4" long.

Lamp Parts

2008-10-15T11:37:00.003-04:00

I just purchased a huge inventory of lamp parts. I'm not sure whether I will put them on Shades ETC (www.shades-etc.com) or create a new shopping cart site and link to it. Anyway, I'm still in the inventory mode. I need to get things priced and stored in labeled bins. I do plan on advertising to the electricians, potters, and ceramic makers and maybe appliance repair people also.

Erie Guild Craft Show

2008-10-04T21:50:00.002-04:00

I just came home from the Erie Craft Guild's Fall 2008 Show. There are 87 crafter's tables set at Zem Zem Shrine Club, W. 38th St. & Zuck Rd. Each hour a $10 gift certificate is drawn from tickets that are given as people purchase their admission ticket. We've had about 750 people come through, which is about the same as last year; however, the wallets seem to be closed or missing in action. Sales are down from last year but tomorrow is another day. I'm getting lots of comments on the Dutchess Victorian lamp and shade.

As well as Plum Hayley Victorian lamp and shade.

I've sold three lamps today. They've gone to homes where the love of God will bless. Good bye to Purple Bead Teapot, Green Stripes, and Angel.

Finial Fan pulls

2008-09-30T22:42:00.000-04:00

These are great finials for any lamp. I'd like to make a lamp to feature one of these!

Finial Fan pulls

Plum Hayley Victorian Lamp

2008-09-28T22:57:00.002-04:00

Here's my finished lamp ready for my next craft show this weekend in Erie. The Erie Crafter's Guild show is at Zem Zem on Saturday and Sunday. I love the fabric on this. It is an Australian silk that I purchased at Quilter's Fancy in Cortland, Ohio. The beads are also from that shop. This was my first time lining this type of shade. It definitely needed a lining as the light bulb was visible through the fabric.

Pfaltzgraff City Market Lamps

2008-09-26T22:49:00.002-04:00

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Get your own

I just finished this order tonight with Keith's help. These teapots and canister from Pfaltzgraff turned out really nice. The shades are handmade by me and the Pfaltzgraff custom-made into lamps by Keith. We are lighting up the world one lamp at a time! I like making lamps for people and making new friends.

Dorm decorating without breaking the bank - Lifestyles

2008-09-08T14:54:00.001-04:00

This is a good article about decorating dorm rooms and I like the idea of using lampshades to match the decor. I can definitely help with creating handmade shades for lamps.

Dorm decorating without breaking the bank - Lifestyles

shopit to blogger

2008-09-03T19:54:00.001-04:00

Oops!

2008-09-03T12:12:00.002-04:00

I found a wonderful trick for getting stickers off the bottom of the teapots. I was using a knife and oops but Barbara Sams told me to soak them in hot water. Awesome, the stickers just wiped right off. Now the bottom of the teapots look as good as the tops.

City Market by Pfaltzgraff

2008-08-21T11:54:00.003-04:00

Just received an order for lamps to be created using these cute canisters. I'm looking forward to picking the perfect fabric and frame for these.

Time Pieces

2008-08-15T20:04:00.003-04:00

Today I took five lamps to Time Pieces in Fredonia. They are located at 23 White Street behind the White Inn.

I met Barbara at the Wine Festival last weekend as she was looking for items for her shop. Besides the tea products, I saw that she carries inspirational gifts and books, personalized stationary, personalized jewelry and gifts, social and business favors, and harvest themed products like maple syrup from New York.

Time Pieces is a nice gift shop with quite a few tea related items. I saw some very nice teapots. She has two of my teapot lamps there now, as well as the Coral Butterflies, Green Striped, and Country Goose lamps. If you are in Fredonia, check out this unique shop .

Great American Wine Festival

2008-08-09T19:38:00.003-04:00

Today was the first day the Great American Wine Festival in Dunkirk, NY. There were 20 wine merchants and about as many arts and crafts vendors. Lots of people came through to sample the wines so my product was seen by many. I'm not sure how many were in a state of being able to focus, but they saw it anyways! I had my first 10x10 space which was fun trying to figure out how to set it up. I ended up being able to use some of my totes and covering them with a table cloth so I had more room to display my products. I'm not sure I like the way it looks but it was the first time and I'll learn how to do better.

I had lots of comments on the Dutchess victorian lamp (The fly on the lampshade stayed all day!). The blue baby shoe lamps, and the photo lamps were popular also, though no one purchased. I saw eyes light up when they saw the teapot lamps but no one said anything to me. I made lots of contacts with people who said they would look at my website or call. Time will tell...

The music was very loud but didn't bother me too much. When I got tired of it, I put my iPod on with music I like. The flies were a pest. I guess the fair had just finished. The cows went home but left the flies behind. Theme song for the day was "Shoo fly, Don't bother me!"

Tomorrow's another long day but hopefully a profitable one.

Dutchess Victorian Shade Done

2008-07-22T19:19:00.004-04:00

So here it is after 11 hours of work it is finally done. I'm pleased with how it turned out.

Here is a close up of the sugar beading on the windows.

Here's my next project; I'm calling it Plum Hayley. I need to find some trim for the top and bottom edges yet.

Here's a close up of the double layer of fringe and beads.

Dutchess Victorian Shade Update

2008-07-05T20:09:00.003-04:00

The next step is complete...sugar beading is done. When I put these roses on it really made me step back and say "wow" maybe I'll keep this one!

We found this base that has roses on it too and cleaned it up and put new hardware on (harp, socket, cord, finial). I think it will be perfect for this shade. What do you think?

The next step is to add the trim and fringe. Maybe tomorrow....

Dutchess Victorian Shade

2008-07-04T13:11:00.002-04:00

Here's the next step finished finally. It's called shurring. Now on to the sugar beading on the bottom curved sections.

It was tough getting into the curves but not impossible. I have about six hours into this shade so far. And it is turning out beautifully. I can't wait to see what it will look like when I'm finished creating it. Soon as I find a lamp base for it, it will be on the victorian page of my website.

It's a beautiful day here on the 4th of July, so I don't know how much more I'll get done today.

Happy Independence Day everyone!

Deer

2008-06-26T21:44:00.002-04:00

I never did see the baby deer and mom again. I'm still hoping they come by again. The next day I did see a ground hog right at our patio door. Not the same...

This weekend we saw this moth on the side of our house near the front door. Very unusual and big.

All God's creations are sooo beautiful. They not all be the best to have around all the time; but they are all unique and so creative. I'm glad He made us in His image so we can be creative too.

I'm being creative now with making a victorian shade. It is all handsewn and will be beautiful when I finish it. I need to do the shurring of the georgette over the top portion and the sugar beading on the bottom before the trims are added.

Baby Deer

2008-06-03T19:28:00.004-04:00

Had a neat experience with seeing a baby deer in our back woods today. When I looked up, it appeared small as a dog. It was running like a puppy and having fun. It really was cute. Then I saw the mom and the baby fed from her. The last time I saw the mom, I didn't know she was one. She was tipping the hummingbird feeder and having a small drink of sugar water. There is plenty of fresh water around so she must have a sweet tooth. It was a very sweet moment too. I tried to get a picture but they were too far into the woods by the time I got the camera. Tomorrow I'll have it ready!

Shopping Cart up

2008-04-29T10:00:00.002-04:00

My shopping cart is finally up on my website. Yeah! I'm hoping that with the price of gas so high people will be shopping online more. I'm still doing some craft shows but not as many as last year. This weekend I'll be in Findley Lake, NY at the Ladies Fire Auxiliary. It has been an okay show in the past. I'm hoping it's better than okay this year.