USING SELF-ADHESIVE LAMPSHADES AND AN ALABASTER LAMP

I have issues with lamp shades.  I seem to have no aesthetic sense when it comes to size, shape, etc. that is suitable for a lamp.  I wish I could just walk into Homegoods or Target and find the perfect lamp shade; but that just doesn't happen with me.  I agonize, then agonize some more.  I have this thing about the height of the shade -- I don't want to sit in a chair and look across the room and see the bulb.  But I never know when a shade will be too long?  Also, I want my shade to make a small statement, but not too big of a statement -- not frou-frou, etc.  Oh, my!

Several times I have ended up with a self-adhesive shade that I can customize with my own fabric.  These are available at Hobby Lobby and JoAnn's, but it seems they are never in the size I think I need.  Therefore, I usually end up buying them online from fenchelshades.com where they can customize any size.  They have shades with lots of options for fabric and paper covering, but they also have an option for "Self Adhesive:Hollywood Lights".  Below is how they arrive with a removable paper covering over the adhesive.

The paper covering is removed to be used for the pattern to cut your fabric.

The instructions say to cut the fabric 1 inch larger than the paper pattern.

Once that is done, simply roll the fabric around your shade.  It adheres well, but is repositionable so that you can smooth out any bubbles.

Fold under about 1/2 inch where the fabric joins in the back.  Some trimming of excess fabric may be necessary.  Either hot glue or white glue may be used to join the seam.  I prefer white glue as it seems to lay flatter.  I was hoping to match up the pattern of the plaid better, but because of the angle of this shade I didn't succeed.  I'll just remember to place the seam out of sight!

Now this is where I part ways with the included instructions.  They say to trim the top and the bottom excess fabric even with the edge; and then glue on trim to hide the raw edge.  I prefer a more finished edge with the trim on the inside.  So I trim off the excess fabric to 1/2 inch beyond the edge.  Then, fold it to the inside and glue down.  I use wooden clothespins to hold it down until the glue dries.  

I then cover the raw edge with a gimp or twill tape by gluing it down -- again using my clothespins to hold it into place until dry.

The finished lampshade. 

Oh yes -- the lamp!  We were at an estate sale a couple of weeks ago, and I found another alabaster lamp.  I now have three -- guess that means I have a collection.

Here are three other self-adhesive shades that I have covered:

This was just my experience using the product -- I was not compensated in any way.

Check out the following blogs for a plethora of inspiration:
The Charm of Home for Home Sweet Home Friday
Common Ground for Be Inspired Friday
Nancherrow for Fridays Unfolded
Pieced Pastimes for Saturday Sparks
Funky Junk Interiors for Saturday Nite Special
Between Naps On The Porch for Metamorphosis Monday
The Dedicated House for Make It Pretty Monday
Our Home Away from Home for Tuesdays at our Home
A Stroll Thru Life for Inspire Me Tuesday
Cozy Little House for Tweak it Tuesday
The Dedicated House for Before and After Wednesday
Ivy and Elephants for What's It Wednesday
Have a Daily Cup for Share Your Cup Thursday
The Vintage Farmhouse for Creative Things Thursday

A LIGHT AND A LAMPSHADE

Do you sometimes hunt and hunt for something when you are antiquing, and never find it in your price range? Then, all of sudden, there it is!

For a couple of years I have been looking for a small alabaster lamp. A unique alabaster is quarried in Colorado that is pink/gold with unusual veining. I remember these little lamps being sold in gift shops as a Colorado product, and even saw one awhile ago in an antique shop with the original shop sticker on it. It was way out of my price range, so I had to walk away. But, recently I found one in a local antique mall (without the shop sticker) for $15, and it came home with me.

It is quite heavy, and smoothly polished. It's perfect.

It came with a ratty lampshade that needed replaced. I really like lampshades covered with an accent fabric. So, now the search was on for a lampshade. In the past, I have covered self-adhesive lampshades; but the ones available at Hobby Lobby and Jo-Anns were not the right size. I finally found a web site (hollywoodlightscrafts.com) to custom order self-adhesive shades in any size for a reasonable price.

I used the last bit of toile fabric that I had bought from a French vendor several years ago. I like finishing details, so I covered the raw edge with gimp.

A patient search is always worth it -- I'm really enjoying my new lamp on the kitchen counter.

I'm joining in the following parties:

Courtney at French Country Cottage
for the Feathered Nest Party.

Marty at A Stroll Thru Life
for Tabletop Tuesday

Donna at Funky Junk Interiors
for Saturday Nite Special

Be sure to go by these blogs for great inspiration.