The Lampshade Lady Blog

It's Already Time for Pawlet's Art On the Green, Sat.Sept 4th 10-4 Pawlet Village, VT

The secret is out! The best place to buy great art  is directly from local artists at our own Art on The Green in Pawlet Village. It starts at 10 am and runs till 4pm. Customers have been known to swarm Brian Sweetland for first dibs on his very collectible oil paintings. Hopefully our own Arthur Jones will be setting up, Marion Waldo McChesney, Sue Wright, George Bouret and many more. I haven't seen the list of artists this year, but be well assured there will be a nice collection of artists.

The art show is a benefit for our local school scholarship program. A % of sales will benefit the nonprofit organization.

I will stay in my shop as I am just down the road, too crazy to pack up and move 50 feet. The Solon Gallery, (just across from my shop) will be open, too. It's a fun day to see the village so busy. Parking can be tight; there is extra parking at the Pawlet Church- turn right onto RT 133 and there is lots of parking. 

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 4TH, 10-4 RAIN OR SHINE PAWLET VILLAGE VERMONT

A Peak into Lake's Lampshades

Here's my first adventure into video. I'd say there is lots of room for improvement!!!

A Delightful Surprise, Gift of a Hand Bound Lampshade Lady Book

This Saturday I had a wonderful surprise. My good friend Karl is a book binder that specializes in Book Art and Book Conservation. When my book came out almost a year ago he had promised me a hand -bound book by taking my book apart and re-working it. I left all of the details up to him as this is where his expertise lies. And how fun to be surprised!
Karl  Eberth is presenting my book and explaining the design. He has used a wonderful marbled paper that has been block printed on top of the marbling. You can see the shape of a lampshade when the book is opened up. Carl did 2 books, one for me and one for my folks. He only does one or 2 books like this a year. I have always loved marbled paper; even the time I tried doing it in my kitchen and it all ended up on my floor and gave it a green tint..... The spin is my most favorite part. He has use Chinese Tea Paper and hand lettered my name and Title of the book; very chic!!!! The silver spine of the book is over the top elegant. I love it. When I was a kid my family moved into this big old farm house in Maine and the front hallway had been wall papered in garish gold and silver tea paper. I remember seeing some in the attic.
Detail of the paper and spine. Oh, that hand letter press... If all the books looked this great. I love my book, but as an artist this is beautiful!  You can't really see it in my photo here, but there is an alphabet paper used between the spin and the marbled paper. Karl Eberth of West Pawlet, VT specializes in conserving rare books for collectors and library collections of Williams, Middlebury, Yale, Harvard, etc. I hope I have this right. No website, but his number is 802-645-0222. I highly recommend Karl. He's not only super talented but a nice guy to boot.
a peak inside, embroidery cut corner cottage shade on right w/ chenille how to on the left.
I love looking back at some of my book photos, especially ones like this that fell together like magic. This shot was our first one on a cool morning after unbearable heat and humidity. One of my favorites.

I love this shot too. It was one of the first I did with photographer Ryan Benyi. Lucky for me I just found a lovely candlewicking spread and sham. I've used it for one large shade and have another lined up on my worktable.

EVENTS NOTE:   I'll be up in Middlebury, Vermont on Friday for there Friday Night Art Stroll. I am bring up a clutch of new work and a pile of books. If your in the area come visit at the darling shop, The Guilded Cage. 5-7PM. It is on the main street across from The Alpine Shop.

Antiquing My Way to Maine

It takes most people only 4-5 hours to make their way to Maine from Southern Vermont. I like going the back roads in search of not too fancy lamps with lots of character. I stroll home with about an 8 hour trip; best ever scones and coffee in Woodstock, flea market,  late lunch savoring my first Maine Italian Sandwich and lots of antiquing.

Here is the grouping of lamps I found on my trip. All in all, it was a productive trip. I was also on the hunt for fabrics and embroideries, but only found a few nice pieces. The lamps are sitting on a nice big cotton hunt scene I found at Cornish Trading, my all time favorite antique shop. Cornish Trading is on  RT 25, close to the Me/Nh Border. The Hunt Scene has a nice hand to it and ought to make up well into lampshades. I picked up 5 more lamps there, too...... yipee. Time to get out the clear cords and start rewiring.

A new shade in my shop. A vintage crewel piece. Good colors w/ gold braid. Square Bell washer top. This one won't last long. Shade is $150.
Detail of crewel work. 

 2 cut corner rectangle w/ antique linen grain sacks. $135 each. Very chic and wonderful. These guys are the real deal; I can barely keep them in stock.

Scallop Hex Clip, vintage apron fabric w/ mini pom poms and embroidery insert fabric used for self trim. 7 inches high and 10 inch bottom. $85.

Another hex scallop w/ vintage European cottons and mini poms. I have a pair of these lamps and shades. Give a call to the shop if interested. 802-325-6308 or email.
one more scallop hex. Vintage French knots, 4 top x 8 bottom and 6 inch high. $75. Vintage pink lamp, rewired $58.

Just finished this beauty before heading to Maine. It's funny how the design process works. Mostly by the seat of my pants.... not really, but sometimes it feels that way. This is a super sweet crewel. As usual, I knew it would go together great, but WHAT to trim it with??? to make it or break it. I've used this new fabric before to make self trims. I think it "made it", certainly not always so easy.
Detail of crewel. Shade is $150. Love it.

Just had to slip Fini in today's blog. He seems to find the sweetest places to snuggle. This is on a rainy day last week and he's keeping warm under the heat of this little lamp.

last shot of the day. I know you guys are super interested in more drum shades. YES, I PROMISE I will show more HOW TOS and info on hanging drum shades. I go in spurts making drum shades. I have them all over my house, but they can be a slow to sell in my shop as my clients are a little more conservative, sometimes.

This is a lime dot from Susan Sargent's fabric with a trim I found at MJ Trim (although not on their website). I've used the trim lots of times; one of those handy, perfect finishes for a lively shade. This shade is $95. It is 12 x 12 x 8. (top x bottom x high= how to write lampshade measurements) the trim adds another inch or so.

Promises of more drum shades soon!

xoxo,

judy lake

Blueberry Picking Time at Wildwood Farm

I stole an hour away from a crazy day off to head up to Wildwood Farm in East Dorset,VT. Blueberry Time!

My friend Elizabeth used to live at the farm, but I had never been up to pick berries except once with a glass of wine in one hand..... surely not a serious picking mode. Yesterday was sweltering hot with a nice breeze. I lasted for one bucket full. 

Wildwood Farm is a special place. It is owned by a very creative guy, Scott Mackenzie. Go up for picking berries, but enjoy the view. They have 2000 bushes of Raspberries and Blueberries. Raspberries have just finished up but blueberries are plentiful.

Wildwood is open from Mid-July to Mid-Aug. 9am-5:30pm    802-362-4519  6 miles up Mad Tom Rd. It's just off RT 7 and follow signs.
Wildwood Farm says, "Our sweet and juicy berries are due to the unique growing conditions in the Vermont mountain air."

Last night I made a simple almond cake and added a little whipped cream and blackberries I'd picked up on my way home as well as huge handful of just picked berries. Delightful.

time to get back to work,

xoxo,

judy

Nantucket Workshop at 1800 House and Now Stuck at Logan

I arrived here in Nantucket on Sunday. Hot, hot, hot... all connections were great. I flew out of Rutland, VT. and headed to Boston and then out to the island. I taught a full day lampshade workshop on Tuesday at The 1800 House on Mill St. The 1800 House is a wonderful craft school affiliated with The Nantucket Historical Association. I had a full house of students willing and ready to dig in and learn a new useful skill. I planned a full day of work. We started the day making a Square Bell Shade. I brought lots of fabric with me and The 1800 House had lots of treasures, too. After lunch I taught the group to make a small empire shade. Low and behold, everyone thought the empire shade was harder to make than a square shade!!! Surprise for me. I figured it would have been the other way around... Maybe everyone was cross eyed by the end of the day.

Here's to prove I made it to the beach for a little bit. Why did I bring the heaviest book on the shelf. I am trying to make my way into A.S.Byatt's book, A Children's Book. I'm getting the idea a Kindle might just be a good idea if I traveled more. There's nothing like getting my summer reads sandy and a tad wet.

Lots of fun out to dinner with Connie and Polly at Oran Mor. A great find, food was to die for. Pretty food that tastes great. Connie and Polly were also 1800 House instructors; fun to compare notes on our classes and small businesses. Very talented and fun ladies. This seemed like a place not to miss dessert. Check it out below!

 

Lemon pudding with black raspberries on top w/ biscotti's. oh, la,la. yummy and pretty.

Photo: looking off my shop porch in Pawlet.

Right now I'm sitting at Starbucks at Logan Airport. Just missed my flight from Nantucket by a couple of minutes. We were held at Nantucket due to heavy fog... thought maybe I'd make my Vermont connection, but missed it by seconds. My plane had just started rolling and we were unloading... darn, they tried to call it back with no luck. The planes are little 9 seaters..... I almost could have run out and grabbed it. Too bad. Forced blogging at Starbucks. Not too bad, friendly people and a big decaf. On standby for the 3:40 flight.... guess I may have to flip my seat to the pizza/beer place over my shoulder for the afternoon and wait for the 6 something flight. 

Holly Hocks at my house in Pawlet.
It's been a fantastic raspberry season at my house. I am the head berry picker. When we bought our house 20 years ago we had inherited a patch of raspberries from our neighbor Mike. Mike always had the most amazing berries. Over the years our patch has grown and is almost as awesome as Mikes. Mikes berry bushes are found all over town. On good years when the fall frost comes late we'll get a big batch of fall berries, too. It's my job to squirrel some of the berries away into the freezer for winter. I've sort of got the system down. I like to pick heavy and put the really ripe ones into the freezer and onto a sheet tray and then into baggies.  I'll keep the ones that are almost ripe out on the counter to ripen over night and they'll be perfect for breakfast.

Here's one last picture from my long and scattered blog post, the best of random photos and hanging at Logan Airport.

 

I'm showing off my Clematis bush on the front of my house. Super pretty this year.

  

Judy's cute barn door at home.

 

Last but not least, another Hollyhocks shot at my shop. Summer is going too fast. We need to savor these steamy days of summer before the raspberries and hollyhocks fad by.

xoxo,

judy

ps it's sort of fun blogging at the airport.

Book Event in Nantucket and Workshop, too! (And to the beach..., hopefully)

If you happen to be on the Island of Nantucket next Monday swing by the Nantucket Historical Association and say hi. Bee Shay and I will be each doing a short talk and demo and book signing. It's at 3pm in the 1800 House Garden.

Sorry not much of a blogger these steamy days. My hands have been out straight cutting and gluing. Crazy busy, but that is a good thing. Lizzy will be here in the shop while I am away. Lampshades are flying out of the shop and just trying to keep up.

Hope you saw the Yankee Magazine How to Project. There is to be something in Crafts'n Things in August, maybe it's on the stands now. I'll have to check it out. And another something in Sept's issue of Country Victorian. Guess I should be busy with all this great press. Just keepin my head down. It's been a fun ride. I guess I understand why authors keep doing books, but this one will have to last me for a while.

Summer shop hours: Mon, Tue, Thurs, Fri, Sat. 10-5 and Wed 12-5 or by appointment.

xoxo,

judy

Thanks Gazillons to Yankee Magazine

Fini and I are featured in the new Yankee Magazine this summer. The new issue is just out and is a wonderful issue. The cover features an amazing Richard Schultz photograph of an island off of Penobscot Bay; it looks like many I sailed to as a kid in Casco Bay. I was known to take our sunfish out for a sail on a windy summer day and head out to one of the many islands. I'd drag my heavy sunfish down my friend Betsy's beach in Falmouth and off I'd go. Never a fear...and off I'd go. How many fond memories of my Maine childhood. Yes, I stayed mostly on the inside of Casco Bay!

And the full circle of life, the issue also features an article by Bill McKibben on  the once hardscrabbled  Vermont town of Hardwick and their famed cheese makers of Jasper Hill and High Mowing Seeds as well as mentioning the other highlights of the community.

From now on I maybe known as the Cat Lady instead of the Lampshade Lady. Fini my cat loves to wrap around your neck... The nice guy photographer from Yankee came to do the photo shoot of my lamp and shade project. We did the set up and then head shots of me:) He was just about to leave and silly of me, I showed him what Fini likes to do if he has a chance..... wrap around your neck. And he said great, let me shoot it.... famous last words. Oh, well, it is a pretty cute picture of Fini, pretty good for a scrappy stray that hasn't budged an inch since he showed up a year ago April. A real love bug.

P.S. Page 72-73 has a recipe for Rose-Petal Jam. I've been looking all over to buy it. Guess I will just have to start picking my Rosa Rugosa Petals, but they just don't get as big in Vermont's less than acid soil.

P.S.S. There is my Nighty Nightlight Project from my Lampshade Lady Book on Yankee's website. http://www.YankeeMagazine.com , check it out.

 

Society Silk Lampshade

I try to keep my Saturdays at the shop for designing inventory for my shop. Most of my week I am filling orders for custom work or wholesale. I figure that if I have to work on the weekend I might as well do something a little more fun. I know it's still work, but it's of my own making. I have lots of fabric, embroideries and odd ball stuff kicking around my shop. I'd say I know my inventory pretty well, but once in a while I spot something I'd forgotten I had. I hadn't forgotten these little treasures photographed above, but lets say I wasn't sure exactly how I could use them. Most of them are pretty small, maybe 3-4 inches across. Yesterday I designed a pair of scallop shades and I thought maybe I could squeeze these onto a scallop panel. They were a tad small, but the trim covered it up. Great.

 Aren't they pretty. Many of the ones I have are stained and .... not all of these worked, but did get enough panels for one shade. And use the edging as well for trim. You can see below how the embroidery didn't quite fit onto the panel.

The shade panels are attached and drying to the scallop frame. 4inch top x 8 inch bottom x 6" high, clip top. Frame and materials are all from The Lampshop in Concord, N.H. Also shown in this photo is the pressure sensitive cloth tape, also known as bias fold trim backer. It is one question I am asked a million times, so I'll keep mentioning it...:)

Also shown are the 6 strips I made for the vertical trims. The p.s cloth tape is on the backside of the strips.
I have to say, Isn't it beautiful!!! It's the shade, but also it is the quality of the textiles. The edging or trim of the shade was made with the edging of the embroidery. I cut off the edge of the embroidery leaving an 8th of an inch to fold back onto the trim and then added a little glue to hold it all together. It wasn't long enough but easy enough to splice together another piece as I was adding on top of the grosgrain. This is an advanced project, but work your way up to this one.

 Yesterday was a productive day... one of those that zoomed right along. And today, Sunday is a day off. We are all headed to The Phish concert in Saratoga.... they'll probably think that me and Carson are narcs.... you know sort of old to be going to Phish concerts, but, yes, It's Father's Day. I've just packed a nice picnic of summer foods and made an almond cake.

Keep an eye out for the newest Yankee Magazine, July & Aug. but ought to be out Monday, I think.  Me and Fini are sharing a summer postcard lampshade project. Hopes it will give a nice boost to my Lampshade Lady book. I will sure to be known as the crazy cat lady once you see my photo. There is also a night light project from my book on Yankee's website.

gotta get ready for the concert!!! Hopes we are the oldest peeps there....

Oh dear, things are hopping and sure can see the social media and blogging can go by the wayside!

 

Isn't this sweet. Oh, a one of a kind and wishing there was another! Polka dots are from a vintage apron and trim is a soft vintage cotton jaquard that went on like a piece of cake. Some of the new trims can be a little finicky if they are not all cotton. 

It's a busy, busy time in my shop. I've stolen a little time away to sit on the porch to try to get a blog post out. Fini is sitting snuggy, close next to me giving himself a little wash. It is an unbelievably beautiful day in Vermont and had to sneak. I'm poaching on my neighbors internet while I'm sitting out:) thanks, Dave.

I can see that my great blog posting this winter is starting to fall apart... and twitter.... and fb. oh well, it's great to be busy again, not that it was that slow, but now it's rocking. Seems like the economy is having a comeback and some folks are having a sigh of relief. I don't know how many of my friends businesses pretty much ground to a halt last year. I am lucky; I have very low overhead and mostly work alone, although will have a little help this summer and try to keep my expenses down. I sense that things are picking up all around, almost every little boutique and shop I sell to tried to order in the last 2 weeks.... darn. You can imagine the impossibility of this.... stores will hold out to buy until they realize they really need some fresh inventory.

 

I found this metal tree at Brimfield. It makes a perfect lampshade tree. Works well to show off the shades. If customers can't see them displayed they'll never know they are here!
Just made this little Antique French fabric shade not too long ago. Love the shirred french trim on the bottom and fits the lamp to a tea.
I had a pair of these, but now down to one. Just made them before the Open Studio Weekend. Antique Candlewicking with blue trims. Love mixing trims.... I think it gives so much more interest to the eye. Sometimes I feel the same trim on the top and bottom is so ordinary....you know me, always trying to break the rules! And here is the same candlewicking on a hex bell. Just used up the whole spread. Time to look for another! Hey, a good excuse to peek on ebay. That's all it takes, but not always easy to find one at a good price.
please excuse the shade wrap.....but just made it and want to keep it clean. Yes, too lazy to take it off. This is a 7x12x8 hex bell, washer top.

Notes: My October Workshop is full. I suspect there is still room for the July Nantucket Workshop, but not sure. Give them a call if you are interested. tel. 508.228.1894 @ Nantucket Historical Association.