"Shahin"

Introducing "Shahin," a very unusual shade that I've designed specifically for this vintage, Middle Eastern, genie teapot. The name Shahin is of Persian and Arabic origin, meaning "The majestic royal white falcon." Shahin represents elegance, strength, and nobility. 

Two types of silk were used in the construction of this unique shade, one is sheer with subtle pleats. I added a ring at the bottom of this frame to highlight the texture and the light that passes through the silk... This unifies the shade's crown and perimeter. 

The body of the shade is made with luxurious silk in a hue of pale sage and adorned with intricate, teardrop-shaped paisley motifs. It's beautiful whether or not the lamp is lit. 

As mentioned, I designed Shahin specifically for this statuesque, brass water pitcher.
The pitcher is also known as an ewer, aftaba, or surahi. Crafted in the mid-20th century and converted into a lamp for my purpose, this genie lamp features an intricate hand-etched floral motif. I can't imagine using it to serve tea or coffee! I just want to give it a firm rub each time I pass it in anticipation of releasing the bottled-up genie within.

Just FYI, according to Wikipedia, "A genie lamp is a magical oil lamp from folklore, famously featured in Aladdin, that contains a powerful, wish-granting spirit (a genie) bound to serve whoever rubs the lamp. These lamps often resemble old bronze oil lamps, sometimes with teapot-like spouts, and are symbols of hidden power and desire, appearing in stories, toys, and decorative items."

Miss Mona - SOLD

The Miss Mona lamp and lampshade were inspired by a delicate lady's handkerchief, an exquisite remnant of a 19th-century lady's handiwork. I'm frequently torn between wanting to preserve antiquated, artisanal pieces and yearning to incorporate such items into shades for all to see and enjoy. 

I named her, Mona, which means "noble" and "aristocratic." That being said, I've tried to imagine a prim and corseted young lady creating such a fine piece of work. I doubt that this kerchief was never intended or used for dabbing her dainty nose!

The price is for the shade and lamp. Though "Mona" has recently sold, let me know if you have a lamp or heirloom memento you'd like made into a lampshade. Together, we can update or repurpose your treasures to light up your home or office.

From Maui with Love lamp shade on a

This beautiful Hawaiian fabric, called broadcloth, was very popular in the 1940s and 50s and is still used for handbags, drapes, cushions, and upholstery in many fashionable homes. Vintage Ox Bone Pikake Flowers embellish the top edges, and hand-carved bone beads are featured along the bone pleated rim.

The lampshade is paired with a vintage brass, "dumbwaiter," standing lamp. The table, referred to as a dumbwaiter because it played the role of a human waiter, is in excellent condition despite a few well-earned age spots on its surface.   

I was compelled to make this shade because it reminded me of a vacation in Maui several years ago and served as the perfect remedy for the cooped up feeling I get this time of year as I wait for Spring to return to Oregon. I love how this lamp and lampshade reflect color and light, effectively counterbalancing the view of cold fog, bluster, and drizzle from my workroom's window.

Dragon Fly Haven

"Dragon Fly Haven" is an elegant original with hand-tinted, hand-beaded gold lace in her center and an ethereal dragonfly on her base. Edged in black and gold, this green and amethyst shade is constructed of three layers of silk and netting.  

Once Upon A Moose ...

"The Moose" was a long velveteen couch runner/scarf with a hand painted portrait of a moose on it. It’s owner, Sally, said, “It was an ‘artifact’ from the 50's of my grandma's stuff." 

“It lived on the back of a black velvet patterned couch in the family’s cabin in Southern Oregon. The cabin was condemned in the 1930's and the old cabin and couch had to go!  However, the moose had such a cool old look that felt like it needed to be saved. 

“What would I do with it?? I did not know!  I sent the moose couch runner to Polly to see if she had any ideas ... and, she did!!

 

Introducing Reinette, the "Little Queen"

Reinette arrived in my imagination two months ago. It all happened in one of those wonderful early morning, almost awakened states of consciousness. I saw her in total in a flash and there she remained as I struggled by trial and error to bring into being. The essentials components were easy ... I knew the fabrics and found complimentary trims and beads easily. The trials and errors, yes plural trials and errors, cropped starting at the top. I wanted a 3D effect for the crown so, I started by twisting single strips of silk and tacking them in place - they looked bulky and unstable so off they came. After a week of methodical "auditions," Reinette was finally crowned with slim and sturdy bars of silk that contrasted and harmonized with the amber and blue silks I'd chosen for her basic construction.  

I had no difficulty creating the sweet little windows on her sides however, the metal settings for lovely amber stones offered no convenient way to secure them. Simply gluing them onto the small open windows would not ensure long term survival. Fortunately, a friend of mine had the perfect drill bit and skill to put a hole through the backings. In preparing them for mounting, I also decided to add a net over the stones giving me another way to anchor and support the embellishments.

One of the most time consuming aspects of creating an artistic version of a vintage beaded lamp shade is the design and stringing of the beaded fringe. Stringing the beads is tedious and needs to be perfect so the eye can rest and the beads compliment rather than compete with the shade. At this point, more issues arose! The beautiful, cobalt blue, 30mm, tubular bugle beads did not all measure 30mm as advertised! One package measured 32mm another 29mm. This created a bit of a nightmare because I didn't discover the difference until I'd strung 115 of the 180 strands.

Once the shade was completed and labeled, I was able to start work on the antique lamp base. I love the old bridge lamps and appreciate the way they glow beside my chair and over my shoulder as I cozy up with a good book. This particular lamp had an abundance of swirls and flowers. She was a joy to embellish with royal blues, amber and silver.  

If you are interested in brightening up your home or office with Reinette, the Little Queen, let me know! Go to my web site, ShadesToRemember.com.

 

Eggs as a canvas

 

This past year, I was asked to embellish 13 very large metal shades the Blue Moon Tavern and Grill, one of the McMenamin properties. I was excited and terrified at the same time!

In preparation, I practiced the envisioned pattern on an egg. This allowed me to work out the spacing of the images and color selection. In addition, egg painting permitted me to keep a piece of my artwork! In this photo you can see the egg and the underside of one of the large enamel shades.

Creating pen and ink drawings on blown eggs really puts me in a magical space. They make great gifts too.