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Meet the Maker - Nipper and Moo

Updated: 4 days ago

Nipper and Moo started as a way for Sarah Garlick to turn her stash of bold, vintage, and contemporary fabrics into something beautiful - and practical. Teaming up with her dad, to create stunning hand-turned wooden lamp bases, she brought her eye-catching lampshades to life offering unique lighting for her customers.


Fast forward ten years, and Nipper and Moo is thriving. Sarah designs her own fabric prints, collaborates with her husband Matt (also handy with a lathe), and creates bespoke shades for one-of-a-kind vintage lamp bases, always knowing which piece should take the spotlight.  


Join us as we explore Sarah’s journey, her love of lampshade making, and the vibrant world of Nipper and Moo.



Hi there!


How are you today and what’s on your workbench?

Hi, I’m good thanks. On my workbench today is a large half finished commission order for 19 candle clip lampshades. I'm waiting for a fabric delivery so I can finish them and get them posted out.


How do you start the design process for your lampshades and where do you get your inspiration?

My design process varies depending on whether I’m starting with a lamp or fabric. If it's a vintage lamp I start with deciding the shade shape and then choose the fabric. Some vintage lamps just need a neutral shade so the lamp is the star and I often used vintage textured papers or linen for these, but some lamps need a shade that says ‘look at me’! If I’m starting with the fabric then I try to make the most of the pattern and work around that.



How would you describe your style?

My style is definitely bold colours and patterns from the 60’s and 70’s.


When and why did you start making lampshades?

I started making lampshades about 12 years ago, I had a fast growing vintage fabric collection and started making lampshades to fund the addiction. I asked my dad to bring his lathe out of retirement and turn me some lamp bases that would compliment my shades and Nipper and Moo was born. It soon got to the point where my dad couldn’t supply enough and my husband Matt took over, he is a self taught wood turner and it soon became apparent he was very good at it and he started his own business Glowoodesign.


Can you tell us more about your collaboration with your husband, Matt @glowoodesign?

We work well as a team, he makes me smaller, simpler lamps which show off my bold fabrics and I make him larger, more neutral shades for his lamps which are beautiful one off statement lamps.



What’s your favourite part of the lampshade making process?

My favourite part of the process is putting the finished shade onto the lamp and seeing the lamp being brought back to life.


We can see you love a bold patterned fabric. How do you decide which fabric will go with particular lampshade styles?

Yes, I do love a bold pattern! I love florals, abstract and geometric prints. I particularly love Scandinavian designs from the 60s and 70’s. Big bold prints work best on large lampshades but can also look great on smaller shades where the pattern becomes a lot more abstract.



Can you tell us more about the lampshade commissions that you take on?

I do enjoy commission shades, they are usually for retro or mid century lamps that customers have bought and are struggling to find the right lampshade. We start the process with a photo of the lamp and I then send photos of fabric I think would work. The best bit is when they send me a photo of the shade on the lamp and a lovely review on Etsy.


We noticed that you also stock your lampshades at Cambridge Antiques. How does this support your business?

I have had a small space at Cambridge Antique Centre for the last 10 years. I sell Mid Century and vintage pieces that I think work well in the modern home. I sell a lot of vintage lighting (all with new shades) and also get a lot of commissions from people seeing my work.



Any advice or tips for new lampshade makers in business?

Find a style you love and stick with it. Early on I made shades that I thought people wanted but I wasn’t in love with the fabrics, these sat on my shelves and didn’t sell. I soon realised that although my target audience is small they love what I do and I have customers where every lamp in their house has a Nipper and Moo lampshade. It's the same with the vintage items I buy, if I wouldn’t have it in my house I don’t buy it.



How has your business grown and developed since you started Nipper and Moo in 2015?

Slowly! I have loads of ideas but getting them to fruition takes ages. I now have my own range of fabrics which were inspired by some of my favourite vintage Scandinavian designs. This took about 4 years to happen and I am still deciding whether to sell the fabric on its own or just use it for my own lampshades. I sell in a few lovely shops locally but the bulk of my income is from Etsy which works well for me.


What’s your favourite part of your working day?

I always have a long list of weekly tasks so my favourite part of the day is ticking those off as completed.


And your favourite sustenance when you’re working?

Fresh coffee and a chocolate biscuit!


Could you let us take a peek at your workspace?

We recently moved house so my workspace is on a long list of rooms that need complete redecoration, it's functional but chaotic! In my last house my workspace was at the top of the house with an amazing sea view, which was pretty special.


Where would you like to be in 10 years time?

Hopefully still doing the same but with a little more time to sit in the garden!


What have you learned that’s been invaluable to your creative process?

The more you put in the more you get.


Anything in the pipeline for Nipper and Moo that you’d like to share with us?

I would love to start printing my own fabrics, I attended a mono print workshop last year and loved it, so I would like to print some mid century inspired fabrics for lampshades.



Browse Sarah's Estsy shop, to buy vintage and contemporary lampshades and vintage fabric cards. Give Sarah a friendly follow on her socials linked below.






Instagram: @nipperandmoo


Facebook: @Nipperandmoo



 
 
 

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