Greenwood SC Real Estate Shines The Spotlight On A Very Shady Lady When I made the decision to shine the spotlight on local owner operated businesses I never realized how much fun it was going to be! I am writing about the most interesting people and getting to know them in such unusual ways which makes it even more fun to do. This past week my broker sent an email out to all of us telling us about a local woman who refurbished and created one of a kind lampshades and she thought they would make wonderful closing gifts for some of our clients. I was intrigued and right away I went to her website. I decided she was my next blog post and asked a million questions. How she got started, was she self taught, how did she beome interested in doing this, was she from Greenwood or moved here, how did she like it etc. and boy did I get the scoop from her. Here is in her words the answers to all my questions.. I think you will find her and her art very interesting too. 
Sally thank you so much for your interest and YES I would be honored for you to do a post on the Shady Lampshade Lady. I am not a native of Greenwod I am from Alabama - Susan Moore, smaller than Abbeville SC. We had a 4 way stop! We moved to Greenwood in 2002. My husband Todd was the Superintendent doing the work on Self Regional. (Greenwood's hospital) One of the things we like best about Greenwood is the abiltiy to be at the mountains or the ocean within 2 to 4 hours.
We also like the fact that Greenwood offers so many different restaurants without having to go to Greenville.
I have been transforming lampshades for the past year. Todd was working in Los Alamos NM and while there I had the thought that I couldn't find any pretty era type lampshades for our home and why not create them myself. It was one of those God things. Ever have Him whisper something in your ear and know in your soul that it was Him-well that is what I heard. (Oh Yes I Sure Do) I had no idea of how to do it so I got on line and ordered all I could to get all the information I could find.
I started out as self taught but that was a bust. I had found the ornate frames but the method was bloody. I had dna everywhere. (Yep Scrap That!) I followed my instincts and tried what I was reading- to not much avail I went to Hancock Fabric to get trim and God provided an angel-Joanna Harmon. She had moved here from Ohio and believe this or not she had been creating lampshades for 12 years and had her own business up north but retired from it when she moved her to Greenwood. She taught me all she knew. She is my mentor! After a couple of sessions with her I was like a ball going down hill. She showed me what to do and not do- never use a hot glue gun while wearing flip flops!! (Ouch!) Thats some great advice huh! I have learned how different fabrics work differently and that certain shades can have their linings replaced without removing the outside fabric. But the thing to remember is that when the lining dry rots the outside fabric is close to doing the samething. Any shade can be replaced if the frame is ok.
All of the lampshades are created with their own personalities and names. Most of the names come from my great aunts and uncles. I feel the shades like family are something to be treasured and the old always fits in with the new- just needs a few new additions. Why discard an old shade when you can use the frame and replace the old fabric with new. It's like having a child and naming them after your Grandmothers maiden name. We all need history and lampshades are the bows for your home. Can you imagine a little girl without a bow? A christmas present without a bow? Why would you not put a Shadylampshadelady shade on your lamp?
The Lampshade Lady has relocated and is now at the Alcoves in Greenwood within the Petunia Booth. We have an eclectic range of furniture and home accessories. (I love eclectic)
As a young girl I learned hand work-embroidery and cross stitch. I work on macrame for a short time and then went to a sewing machine. I've been sewing since about the the 7th grade. As an adult I started out in Interior Design with drapery and decorating. I have made my own designs in family homes and in miniature doll houses. Making Dorthy Originals in miniature was a challenge but I did do it!!! After becoming a mother to three girls in three years I became part owner of Me N Mom, we designed our own line of family clothing, monogramed and taught sewing and scrapbooking. Once we moved to Greenwood and we became owned by a 100 year old home I learned to not only sew but to paint-wall stencil-12 foot ceilings!!! (That's way up there now!) So long story short- doing all I have done in the past has given me the skills to create lampshades.
My husband of 8 years graduated from Auburn University with a degree in building science. He has designed our bathroom that every woman drools over, and our kitchen. We have cast in place concrete counter tops. They are very pretty but not forgiving with glass. I buy tea glasses by the case! Todd is an amazing craftsman in his own right- He never sees No- theres always a way to make something work. He has been my biggest supporter and best help. He can refurbish any lamp and make it work. Todd is LEED certified- an acreditaed professional -so he has taken old lamps and retrofitted them to use the cfl light bulbs. I couldn't do what I do without him. (Thank God for good husbands)
I have added a photo of myself and Todd. We ride scooters and this is at the Trail of Tears that leaves from Chattanooga TN and ends up in Waterloo AL. (Awww that's so sweet)
Hope this helps and your are welcome to drop by the house any time I'd love to show what we have done. (On my to do list!)
There you have it another Star in Greenwood SC if you would like to have a custom closing gift, gift for yourself, or someone you know I'm sure Renee would be happy to hear from you no matter where you are. You can visit her website ShadyLampShadeLady.com and be sure and tell her Sally sent you.
Oh yes stop by my website RealEstateGreenwoodSC.com too if you or anyone you know are buying or selling real estate in the Greenwood SC area now or in the future. I would love to have your business!
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