Tag: Creative Process
Lampshade Collection Now Organised by Design
I had an aha moment when reflecting on the look of my shop. I noticed that it was vital to make it easier for my shopping list to find things they want. So I organised the collection by Design.
You will see from the pictures that I have a collection of at least five types. There is the line of Empire framed lampshades, these are new. I also have a collection of metal trimmed lamp shades with beautiful vintage crystal inserts. The collection of drum lampshades is stunning and they are organised by their design of having a simple decorative metal trim. The classical beautiful Victorian lampshades are always popular they get a lot of likes and they are organised under Victorian lampshades, I hand-stitched and stretch these. They are a lot harder to create that’s why they are a bit more expensive to buy. And lastly, there is the collection of stunning table lamps that come already with a plug and you simply just plug it in to get your lighting. With those table lamps, there is no need to buy a lamp base. You just need a socket to plug it in.
I hope people find it easier and enjoyable to browse these unique lampshades I designed to add drama to meeting scenes. Amazing backdrops are great ice breakers and they allow the beauty of our personalities to quietly shine.
How to clean a cloth lampshade
The trend for cloth lampshades is returning. Whether gathered, pleated or stretched over a frame, I love making fabric lampshades.
However, I noticed a dilemma because fabric tends to gather dust and is too delicate for hoovering with the crevis or upholstery attachment. I have to be careful that the home is as dust-free as possible with my asthma. The video below came after a sleepless night of wheezing and being convinced I had COVID-19 at worst or the flu. I then took the lampshade out of the bedroom and washed it under the tap. I was using ordinary gentle soap gently trickling over it. I slept better with no wheezing after that.
After rinsing, I let it drain on a un upturned empty Gu pot. A yoghurt pot will do. And it dripped dried on kitchen towels. The washing process brought the colour of the lampshade up back to its normal sparkly shimmer too.
Here are the ten tips for cleaning a cloth fabric lampshade
- Check with the seller that your lampshade has not been glued anywhere.
- 100% hand-stitched lampshade
- Do not wash drum lampshades that are mass-produced as there are bound to be some glue-attaching pieces. The fabric is attached to UPVC.
- Check the fabric is washable, such as cotton.
- Check the fabric pattern will not run if wet.
- Use lukewarm water
- Lather up a small amount of detergent.
- Sprinkle it over the lampshade in and out
- Rinse thoroughly
- Drain until dry
It’s interesting how dusty old lampshades often end up in landfill. But just giving your old lampshade a wash could be both good for you and the planet.
Home Office Charm 2021
Sustainable lampshades at last!
I’ts Christmas and I’m very excited this season to have designed and made these sustainable lampshades. I created them out of recycled upholstery nails and my favourite banana fabric. I mainly designed them to be a modern development to the traditional banker’s lamp. You know the one I mean, they’re the old green glass shade and bulbous brass lamp base that fit traditional victorian inspired office spaces.
Multi values
These new desk lampshades I love because they are sleek, modern and fit the mid-century trend as well as fit in with traditional spaces as well as those with apartments with a minimalistic vibe. They will be available to buy on my Etsy shop Home Office Charm in early January 2020
A five-year journey
I got the inspiration for the form of the new collection of the sustainable lampshade from a traditional handstitched version I did (see image below).
Over the years, I’ve enjoyed its warm golden glow as my bedside table lamp. I knew it would be appealing after hearing the reaction to it while I had it on display at West London interiors showrooms. It was also a favourite shade in my Etsy shop. I had to price it high ( the soft hand-stitched version) as it took me ages to make and it hurt my thumbs along the way. I vowed never to make it again. But I was so enamoured with the warm glow that the shade generated I wanted others to experience it too.
So to make it easier for more people to buy and so that I could make more of them while fitting in with my earth shiny vibe, I created the new collection. I dreamed up the new collection and experimented with these sustainable lampshades at weekends and evenings to fit around my full-time work. I attended courses this year on wiring and batch make them during high days and holidays. I’m so excited to hear what other people think of them when they get listed in my Etsy shop from January 2020.
Photo of Designers Guild Lampshade in the Making
Excited that my photography skills are developing. It’s all that Instagraming I’ve been doing.
Anyway I thought I’d take a quick snap of the fabric. I’m using a Ralph Lauren that I got from the Designers’ Guild Autumn sale together with their natty gold and cotton trim.
I love the symbolic juxtaposition of the two fabric thread gold and hessian or Burlap as the Americans say.
I’m beginning to feel that the shades I make, create such a statement that they are infact ornamental in themselves and don’t need a base.
My passion for trimmings and tassels continue.
If you have any questions or comments about handmade lampshades with trimmings and tassels please drop me a line.
The frames are upcycled and stripped back and re bound.
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