Shades To Remember Continues to Grow and Thrive!

 I can hardly believe it's eight years! I've made several hundred shades, met even more interesting people, made several overseas sales and taken on two talented apprentices. In addition, I've had the opportunity to make lampshades for my favorite McMenamins restaurants, am offering "Shade Making 101" workshops yearly and am part of the Red Trillium Gallery in Troutdale, Oregon.

My blog reflections from 5-16-2016 still ring true:

"It's been just a year since I began pursuing a life-long dream of working/playing as a full time artist! In April 2015, I made (and sold!) my first lamp shade. The business has grown steadily and I'm exploring ways to get the word out, become part of an active community of textile artists, and encourage others to find their path to creative expression too."

Syrian Brass Lamp and Lampshade - Grandma's Treasure

 Every vintage lamp has a story, this one is especially sweet.

The lamp was passed down from the client's grandmother, Olga, who immigrated from Portugal in 1921 when she was 18. The lamp was gifted to her on her first wedding anniversary in 1924.

The family passed the lamp down through the generations for almost 100 years. In that time, the original lining of silk had deteriorated and 30% of the beads had been lost. Olga's grandson contacted me and asked if I could restore it. 

Finding the perfect silk for lining the bottom and top of the shade was easy, finding supplementary beads was not. Two thirds of the original 5,600 beads were missing. I got quite an education and renewed appreciation for beading professionals during my search. I eventually found a source for the English cut, 5mm, glass beads at Fire Mountain Bead company in Oregon and spent more than 40 hours stringing and attaching them to this lovely piece. I was sad to see her go!