Show and Tell Friday: Lampshade

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show-and-tell.jpg Kelli at There’s No Place Like Home hosts “Show and Tell Friday” asking “Do you have a something special to share with us? It could be a trinket from grade school, a piece of jewelry, an antique find. Your show and tell can be old or new. Use your imagination and dig through those old boxes in your closet if you have to! Feel free to share pictures and if there’s a story behind your special something, that’s even better! If you would like to join in, all you have to do is post your “Show and Tell” on your blog, copy the post link, come over here and add it to Mr. Linky. Guidelines are here.“

I’ve mentioned that I don’t have many of the things I have made, except things for our boys’ room made when I was expecting. Most other things I’ve made have been for gifts. But this caught my eye (it should — it’s right beside my bed!! But sometimes we get so used to our things we don’t really “see” them any more) and I thought it would make for a fun show and tell.

I made this lampshade some 20 years ago at a little adult ed class at a Christian college.

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This is a “cut and pierced” design. The teacher taught us how to cut out an arc out of special paper (I don’t remember what it was called. It’s firm but pliable), then center and trace a pattern onto the back side. Then we took Exacto knives and cut around the outer edges of the leaves and flower petals, then bent them back just a little so the light would show through. We had a little instrument with a wooden handle and what looked like a big needle on the end to pierce little holes in various places in the design. The we attached the arc to a top and bottom circle and glued — and we had a lampshade!

Here’s a closer look:

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I’ve seen some where the designs are painted. I like those, too, but I like the simplicity of this one as well.

At the time this kind of craft was going around and we could find all the supplies at a local craft or hobby shop. I don’t know if that would be the case now, but I just did an Internet search and found kits and patterns available.

I did go on to make a couple of other lampshades as a result of this class, but this was the only cut and pierced one. I’m glad I kept it and I am enjoying it all over again.

36 thoughts on “Show and Tell Friday: Lampshade”

  2. How nice! It amazes me every day the creativity out in “blogland”! I would have never thought you could make something like this that is so pretty. Lovely.

  3. Oh that is absolutely beautiful. What a great piece of work you created. I’m glad show and tell made you see it again 🙂

  8. aMAZing!!!! The work with the light shining through looks like it’s shaded –just as nature intended!! You did a beautiful job. My hubby has exacto knives….hmmmmm….wonder if I could do something like that? I doubt it.

    My Show n Tell is shared, drop by if you can. I’d love you to visit.

  9. Really a professional job! It is gorgeous……

    Thanks for visiting with me and commenting on fall at our home….Betty

  12. Oh your lampshade is so beautiful! You did a GREAT job! Thanks for sharing your lampshade with us. ~Amy

  14. Oh, I so love that lampshade, what a beautiful job you did making it! I’ve never seen anything like it!! xo

  15. I’ve seen these before and always loved how they let the light through the design and look so warm and homey. Yours is beautiful!

  18. That was so neat–we used to have a Christmas tree made very similar and when the light was on it would spin due to the heat of the lamp–it had little cuts like your shade 😉

  23. Hey , again–I read your comment on the picture and your reference to your shepherd picture–I had thought about those things too (as far as the commandments in Exodus) although mine does not have a face and so I felt it was definetly (sp?) more symbolic. I agree with your basic assessment. ..and your picture conveys much love 😉 . I notice you are from SC too! Have a nice week.

  28. Wow! That is so beautiful! I can’t believe you made it! You did wonderful work. Thank you for sharing! Thank you for stopping by my Blog!

    Blessings! Sharon

  30. That is a beautiful lampshade. You did a very good job making it. It must have taken a steady hand.

    I am new to your blog, I have enjoyed coming here. Thank you, connie from Texas

  31. This is so beautiful! I too love the simplicity of that…… I may br researching how to do that.

    Thanks for sharing!

    ~@~Courtney~@~

  32. Hi Barbara! That is just lovely 🙂 I can see why you are enjoying it. thanks so much for sharing it with us! Blessings! Q

  33. The shade is beautiful. I think that would be a fun craft to do!
    Have a great day!

  34. Pingback: Show and Tell: Handmade edition « Stray Thoughts

  35. I just signed up to follow your blog because of this lampshade. I’m a lampshade maker and love to see what others have done. I tried the cut & pierced shades and couldn’t make it look like I thought it should! You did an excellent job.

    I’m also a Christian 40-something woman!

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