Lampshade making essentials

Whenever I run a lampshade making course I am asked where I buy all of the essential bits of kit that I use.  I thought it would be helpful to show all of those bits and pieces here rather than just sending you off to get lost in a search on Amazon.  Now I do admit that these are all from Amazon and not from a high street shop but if you are anything like me the need to get all of the tools you need so that you can start making lampshades, will be urgent!!  You can link directly to the right page for each product on Amazon so that you know you are buying the right thing.

So here we go!

Rather than using scissors to cut out your lampshade I highly recommend using a rotary cutter and a steel ruler.  This is the ruler I use which, most importantly, has a raised cutting edge on one side to protect your fingers.  It is 50cm long so not too unwieldy1

I use an Olfa rotary cutter, identical to the one shown here.  They are super sharp which is fantastic for cutting the PVC and of course fabric, but beware of your fingers!

And eventually you will need replacement blades for your rotary cutter, so these are the ones to fit the cutter shown above.

The most expensive item here is the A1 self healing cutting mat.  I did start out with a smaller mat but it is really much easier to use an A1 sized one as it is big enough to fit your lampshade on to make the cuts without having to move everything around umpteen times.

So there are all of the tools you need to get started - happy lampshade making!

Bespoke lampshades?

I am often asked whether I can make lampshades in different shapes and sizes to those shown on my website.

The answer is both yes and no!

I have decided to stick with only drum lampshades for the foreseeable future as I think they are so versatile and I love the simple, contemporary look of them.  But as long as it is a drum lampshade that you are looking for, I can make them in any size from 15cm diameter right up to a whopping 50cm diameter, and in increments of 5cm in between.  The lampshade's height is also variable so that you can have a truly bespoke lampshade to suit whichever room size, ceiling height or lamp base size you have in mind.

The most important thing is that the lampshade is in proportion - both in terms of height and diameter and also in relation to the room, ceiling height or lamp base.  To give you an idea of what size combinations work:

This is 35cm diameter x 25cm high (and in Peony & Sage's beautiful Mini Hares fabric with a dove background)

This is 30cm diameter x 22cm high (in Peony & Sage Just Bees in dove)

I can also make lined lampshades so that you have fabric both on the inside and outside of the shade.  They look absolutely beautiful - as shown here with this stunning lampshade for a standard lamp made with Mini Hares and Dots fabrics in blush pink.  This lampshade is 40cm diameter x 30cm high.

So the answer really, if you want something different from the options shown on my website, just get in touch to ask!

New dates for lampshade making courses

Well it's been a while but the beginning of 2013 has been a little hectic to the say the least! My lampshade making courses are now well underway as a monthly fixture and sales of my lampshades have far exceeded my expectations.

My courses take place about a mile outside Salisbury in the Reading Room
at Stratford sub Castle. It's easy to get to and it's a great venue with lots of space.

I've had lots of really positive comments from the ladies who have produced some beautiful lampshades on my courses so far. The moment when a rectangle of fabric is suddenly turned into a lampshade produces lots of happy faces!

The next three dates are

6 April

11 May

8 June

Each course is three hours and runs from 2-5 pm. The cost is £45 and includes all materials except fabric. That bit is entirely up to you although it is best to use cotton rather than anything too thick.

For more information or to book, go to www.lollyandboo.co.uk.

New resolve & lampshade making courses for 2013!

So perhaps launching my blog in the midst of the Christmas rush was not the best idea.  I hope you had a fab time at Christmas - the fact that I managed to get to Christmas Day with all presents purchased and wrapped was a minor miracle!

My Paper Butterflies Art was featured in the Notonthehighstreet.com Christmas Gift Guide this year and as a result I have been very busy.  Quite stressful at the time but I coped with the help of my family!  And I must say that on Christmas morning the thought that lots of little girls would be opening presents that I had made was very satisfying.

Having had a lovely rest over Christmas I am starting to think about what's happening next year although I must admit it's difficult to get out of lying on the sofa mode at the moment!  I'm planning some new designs for my pictures which I really want to get done - sometimes I can't keep up with it all and when there are orders to be made the new designs fall by the way side.

As you may have noticed my new obsession is lampshade making and I'm thrilled at how well my lampshades are selling already.  I hope to build on that start in the New Year which gives me a great excuse to buy lots more gorgeous fabric to expand my range.

I'm really excited to launch lampshade making courses in and around Salisbury from January.  The first course is taking place on Saturday 26 January 2013 in Stratford Sub Castle (on the edge of Salisbury, Wiltshire) from 2-5 pm.  You just need to bring half a metre of fabric and I will provide all the materials so that after three hours (and some tea and cake) you will leave with a stunning lampshade in a choice of sizes.  I learnt to make lampshades at a similar course and was instantly hooked so I'm hoping to inspire you too!  There will be more courses from February onwards so if you are unable to make 26 January get in touch to ask about future dates.

I love this - the first lampshade I made on the course !

Little Houses Lampshade available on www.lollyandboo.co.uk

Pirates Lampshade available on www.lollyandboo.co.uk

A blog at last for Lolly & Boo

It has taken me a while, and in the midst of the rush of Christmas orders is probably not the best time, but at long last Lolly and Boo has a blog!  I will try to blog regularly but won't promise anything...

As you may well have gathered from my recent Facebook posts I now make fabric drum lampshades.  I haven't been selling them long but the response has been fantastic.  One of my most popular designs is using Peony & Sage's Mini Hares fabric which is available in a selection of beautiful colours which make the most gorgeous lampshades.  Here are three of them...

Mini Hares in Blush Pink

Mini Hares in Olive

Mini Hares In The Sky

I am also really excited about some stunning images of my Olive Mini Hares lampshade taken by Phil Taylor Photography (www.philtaylorphotography.co.uk) with massive thanks to Kimberley Bell of Peony & Sage (www.peonyandsage.com).  Here they are...

The new fabrics shown here have just arrived so I'll be making lampshades out of those very soon!