(small).jpg){kind=logo}
Today we’re excited to meet Amanda, of Amanda Wells Lighting, who’s ambition to make her own products brought her to lampshade making, the next natural step in her creative career following 15 years in the high end soft furnishing industry, servicing global clients.
Through learning the skills of both modern and traditional lampshade making, Amanda has combined her knowledge, design experience and love of colour and textured materials, to create striking lampshades, that play on traditional shapes and features, with colourful modern twists.
Read our Meet the Maker interview to find out more about Amanda’s lampshade making journey, her inspiration and her reflections on being a lampshade professional maker.
Hi there Amanda!
How are you today and what’s on your workbench?
I’m feeling very thankful for lots of orders.
I currently have four large tired looking silk bowed lampshades on the workbench which shall be stripped down and remade. They are tailored shades and I am using a natural coloured linen from Ada and Ina for the main fabric. I chose linen instead of silk as I love the effect and mood created when linen is lit up. They will be finished with a double binding top and bottom, consisting of a self binding on top of a contrasting deeper red cotton binding underneath. You will see 1cm of the red, a pop of colour to complement my clients existing interior. This is a commission order so quite reserved in terms of design compared to much of my other work online but a pleasure to do all the same. I love remaking shades and breathing new life into them for the next generation to go on and enjoy.
How do you start the design process for your lampshades and where do you draw inspiration from?
I have a journal that travels with me everywhere. Each time an idea comes to mind it is duly noted wherever I may be. These entries come in the form of sketches and/or general mind dumping.
Living in Scotland we love spending time as a family outside. Colours in nature often inspire, particularly with the seasons. I try and gain inspiration from the world around me wherever I may be, with a view to experimenting and landing on something unique.
I love playing with paint sample cards, always experimenting with different combinations in my journal. The importance of colour in transforming a space, when it comes to lighting never ceases to amaze me, bringing me and clients so much joy! Moreover, working with different materials (whether it be rattan, hessian, cork etc) offers so many possibilities. I am always trying to test new designs whenever time permits.
How would you describe your style?
My rattan and linen Scalloped Tiffany Lampshades are certainly art deco in style but with a modern twist in the colour combinations and materials I choose.
My double sided hessian shades are rustic but combined with liberty fabric add a hint of elegance. I suppose I’m always trying to incorporate contrast in all my designs, whether it be varying colours or materials or both.
I don’t stick to any rules or any particular styles I just go with what I feel works.
Can you tell us more about your training and background and why you started making lampshades?
I have worked in the interiors industry for over 15 years. I gained a distinction in my soft furnishings qualifications, awarded by the Association of Master Upholsterers & Soft Furnishers, and went on to work for Aspraes Ltd making high end furnishings to enhance beautiful homes around the world. In 2012, after the birth of my daughter, I set up Amanda Wells Design creating soft furnishings and window dressings for clients in the south east of England.
Many years dreaming of creating my own product designs lead to me signing up for 1 day course in modern lampshade making. Loving it so much I returned for a week long course to learn the skill of traditional lampshade making. This coincided with a move home to Scotland in 2021, I rebranded as Amanda Wells and I haven’t looked back! I’m fascinated by lighting and the way different materials create varying effects when illuminated. It gives me so much joy to see my finished lampshades light up a room.
What’s your favourite part of the lampshade making process?
With the majority of my work coming from commissions, I really enjoying listening to a clients brief and helping them with ideas that they would never have otherwise thought of. Walking the client through materials, colours and the varying effects for finishing a room. Seeing the finished result in situ is so rewarding, after the time and care that goes into to creating a design from scratch.
And which do you prefer, soft lampshade or hard lampshade making?
I love making them all. I like to have that variety of work on my bench. If a client specifically requests a particular fabric for a soft shade that is a tricky shape it can be difficult if the pattern doesn’t work well or if it doesn’t have a good stretch to it. Each and every project is unique and I’m always learning with every new shade I make. As my husband says “every day is a school day”!
How has your lampshade making developed and changed over the years?
I feel like I have certainly learnt ways of being more efficient in my business processes as well as in the making. In the beginning I always tended to underestimate the length of time a project would take from start to finish. With my skills and experience growing each day I can not only be more accurate with clients seeking my expertise but offer more help and support around tailoring a better solution.
You collaborate regularly with other artists and makers. What does this bring to your business?
I feel so fortunate to have had the opportunity to collaborate with some amazing local artists across East Lothian last year. Ella Fletcher is an incredible ceramist, she makes beautiful lamp bases that we designed together to accompany my Linen Scalloped Tiffany Collection. Moreover, I worked together with Emily Hogarth on a hand-painted lampshade collection. Emily paints the designs onto paper templates and I transformed them into lampshades. I have learnt so much too from both projects in so many ways. Furthermore, through our socials/online presence we have all benefited from an increase in sales as a result.
I also collaborate regularly with Hannah Learmont (@haneminteriors) an inspiring Interior Designer from Dunbar. We run hand-painted workshops together across the year. Hannah is brilliant fun to work with and so talented when it comes to interior styling, I love her design ethos. She is always sharing tips and nuggets of information on our workshops. Her use of paint combination knowledge is invaluable. I too enjoy bringing my expertise in showing attendees the skills of transforming their work into bound empire lampshades. We find it so worthwhile connecting within the community bringing people together in a creative environment. Of course Dannells always gets the nod as THE supplier for lampshade goodies!
In your online shop what’s your most popular selling shade?
What’s the mix of shades you make to sell online versus lampshade
commissions, as part of your business?
Around 80% bespoke commissions to 20% online sales
What other products can we find on your website?
Lamp bases and electrical pendants are also available. I also sell gift vouchers for our hand-painted lampshade workshops. Cushions are also coming to the website this year as I have collaborated with a talented textile designer that I love - these products really compliment my designs.
We noticed you have lampshade making workshops planned for 2025. Can you give us a snapshot of what you teach your students?
During the full day workshop we guide and support, step-by-step, in designing & painting paper templates which are then rolled into a small bound empire lampshade. We hold our workshops in a space located in a local gallery (Dukes of West Barns) which also serves amazing food and coffee. It’s a purpose built space for workshops to be held. The gallery is full of incredible local Artists, a really inspiring place to come for a day of creativity with a delicious lunch included.
If you could offer any advice to new lampshade makers starting up a business, what would it be?
Make sure that with every piece you create that your happy with it. Always test the lampshade lit up before sending out. If in doubt, out- is my mantra! Pop it in the seconds pile and go again. You are only as good was your last job. Try and be unique and find your own style/USP!
How do you fit in your running your business with your family commitments?
There are certainly easier ways to make money but I simply love what I do. My core making hours are when the kids are at school. Admin is done in the evenings and I often take shades back home with me to sew/ tuck in the at night when the kids are in bed. I work Saturdays too as Fridays are a half day at school here in Scotland.
I live for the school holidays, taking some time off to spend with my family and friends. My husband, a Partner in Amanda Wells, is very hands on too with the business and always a great sounding board to talk things through.
We moved back to Scotland in 2021 as a family. I grew up in East Lothian and we love living near the sea and hills. I always keep Sundays for family. My perfect Sunday would be an early run with my girl friends, off to church all together as a family, followed by a big walk with Ernie our cocker spaniel and then back home for a roast dinner and movie.
When are you at your most productive?
Mornings for me are my best time. I also work extra productively when my phone is switched off and hidden in the draw as I’m very easily distracted!
And your favourite sustenance when you’re working?
Tea and toast with lots of butter! I get that from my mum!
Can we take a peek at your workspace, and can you tell us a little about it?
I am very fortunate to have a space in my mum’s house. I was lucky to have grown up on a farm and mum still lives in the same house. It’s sadly only her now since my dad passed away 18 months ago. I can see mum and check in every day. It works really well for us both. I also rent a container on the farm for my stock and materials ensuring my workroom stays clutter free! At the beginning of this year mum and I took a trip to Copenhagen (excellent for design inspiration if you have never been), on our return my husband and kids had completely reorganised and tidied my entire workshop - best surprise ever! Whilst I still struggle to find what I need it’s beautifully neat and tidy!!
What’s the most joyful, and the most difficult thing about running your own business?
The joy is the privilege of stepping back occasionally and seeing how far I’ve come and what I have achieved, as well as see what I am capable of when you set goals, which at the time seem unachievable. The difficulty is spinning several plates all the time with a ‘to do list’ that seems to length each day. Being a business owner I wear so many hats. Learning how to delegate and what to delegate is key.
Where would you like to be in 10 years time?
I’d love a workspace big enough for other local makers to come and work together, sharing machinery and even exchanging materials with a view to reducing waste. So many people love to make their own curtains, blinds, dresses etc but simply don’t have the space. I still make soft furnishings as well as lampshades and love connecting with others in similar lines of work. I believe that so much good can come when people connect and work together.
What have you learned that’s been invaluable to your creative process?
I think that not being fearful of what others may think and going for it has been invaluable. In years gone by this would have held be back. Now I just focus on what I would like to achieve and get on with it, doing the best I can along the way.
Any upcoming plans or products you’d like to tell us about for the year ahead?
I am currently having a prototype frame made for a new design of lampshade that I’m really excited about. Expect a shape inspired by nature - continuing with my love off linen they will be finished in this textile and finished with hand embroidery in contrasting colour threads. This is still all in my head so it may evolve and go in different directions!
I am also really excited to be in the process of experimenting with locally sourced materials. I have plans to experiment with seaweed and willow too. Watch this space :) Be sure to sign up to hear my latest news and product releases.
Shop Amanda's beautifully crafted lampshades which combine traditional lampshade making skills and design with pops of colour at amandawells.co.uk. Show Amanda some love by following her on her socials below.
Website: https://amandawells.co.uk/
Instagram: @amandawells_lighting
Facebook: @amandawellslighting
コメント