The Lampshade Lady's Guide to Lighting Up Your Life: 50 Custom Lampshades & Lamps Hardcover – August 18, 2009

After reading this wonderful book, my wife ordered three of them as gifts and wrote the following review for Amazon.com:"The Lampshade Lady's Guide does light up your life. It is delightful book that you can initially leaf through and enjoy the beautiful photographs and creative descriptions of fifty unique lampshades. As the author introduces each lampshade, her personal story brings the shade to life.Not only did I learn how to make a lampshade, I learned the importance of considering a lamp and its shade an integral part of a room's décor. The book's introduction explains the terminology and helps the reader select the right style shade and fabric for the lamp. The book is organized by level of difficulty. Following a list of the required materials, the instructions are clear and include photographs of various steps. A well written glossary and resources list help the reader identify and locate the supplies needed.It is hard to decide which lampshade to make first, but after you've completed one, you can't wait to make another."

I am not a friend of Judy Lake, but I would like to be:) I am a professional embroiderer and have written two books on that subject so I appreciate what goes into the writing of a book. I can honestly say this was a "how-to" book that I read like a novel...I didn't want to stop reading. I love the way she repeats each caution and direction for every shade until the lampshades at the very end where she knows you've "got it." I won't forget what kind of grosgrain ribbon to buy...One of my favorite pastimes is taking old linens and re-purposing them.."beautiful old things and old things made beautiful." I am always looking for new things to fashion from those treasures so I got the idea of a lampshade. I bought the book to see if I could adapt Judy's teachings to that end and was enchanted to find she was a few steps ahead of me.I disagree with the reviewer who suggested that the book doesn't encourage creativity. It certainly does inspire for the reader to see what the writer does and then think,"Well, what if I did this instead?" Any artist or artisan can only show what they do/have done and let you take it from there. They can't conjure up every thing others might think about doing and address each one...the book would never be finished!I am looking forward to trying some of the ideas in the book - and some of the ideas the book has inspired in me. Thank you, Judy, for a treasure of a book. I will be speaking at a Navy function in New Hampshire in September and have already thought about a side trip to Vermont to thank you in person and see your lampshades in person. I don't know if I can make that happen but it would be an honor to meet such an inspiration.

I was curious to find additional instruction to make custom lampshades after my first, self-taught attempt. I was thrilled to find a resource written by someone with YEARS of experience that was so willing to share her secrets to making quality, custom shades. The large variety of shades shown and marvelous pictures are appreciated as well as, her charming anecdotes.

A thoroughly inspirational and creative guide! So tired of the overpriced and boring lampshades to be found in stores and am thrilled to now be able to make my own. I just wish there was also a DVD to watch so I can catch all the finer details, but since I discovered Judy Lake offers workshops at her beautiful studio, I'll just have to take a road trip!

Good book.

Great read.plenty of information. Tips and techniques as to create your individual lampshade..

I am amazed that this woman has made a life career out of lamp shades -- and she has. But, If you're hoping to travel that road, read her blog -- don't buy the book. There is no part of the book that explains how to do something differently (given your materials) than she did. Kind of like an advertismetn for the shades she made that you can copy. If you have an imagination, this might/could work -- but so too could an adult ed course at your nearby high school.

I was very impressed with Judy's book on making lampshades. She was very thorough, down to the smallest detail. The difference between "homemade" and "custom" is HUGE, and Judy guides you through the entire process for a real professional look. I highly recommend this book for anyone who has a real desire to make custom lampshades and put a designer's touch on their total decorating.A satisfied customer,Judy Caccioli, from Cape Cod.