Graphic 45 - Olde Curiosity Shoppe - repurposed lamp

    

 

 

Re-purposed Lamp

featuring Graphic 45's Olde Curiosity Shoppe Collection

 

 

 

 

I have had this lamp for a number of years. It was actually "dressed up" using pinks and browns.  I got to hating it and stripped it down .  Once that was done, I wanted something soft and elegant, yet with some style.  I love the edges and body shape, it calls out for very classy paper. 

 

Graphic 45 came to the rescue.  I love their paper lines.  You can adapt them to so many projects.  So, I poured through my stash and found Olde Curiosity Shoppe and the make over began.

 

The base takes the longest to do.  I had to get the paper wet so that it could be molded around the base corners and the round body above.  This made a mess, but I was in heaven.  I tore the paper into strips and using Claudine Hellmuth's Multi-medium Matte, I started applying the paper, working form the bottom up.  Layering as I went, the took shape slowly.  After it was all done, I set it aside to dry naturally. 

 

 

                                      

 

 

Next up was the lamp shade.  Because I wanted this to be a functioning lamp, I left the original shade material in place and layered my paper over the top of that material.  The inside of the shade was a creamy beige and worked wonderfully in matching up with the paper.  Hopefully, this will prevent the paper from scorching when in use.  OF COURSE, I will be using a low end watt bulb.  This is going to be an accent piece, not a reading or working lamp. 

 

 

 You can see the original color where a previous embellishment was placed.  This material faded over time.  Using the lamp as my guide, I made a template and cut the 4 sides out by adding a half inch to each end.  I needed this to fold over the edges.  Each piece was taped on using Scor-Tape.  I did not want the glue to be soaked up by the cloth material.  And, it makes for a temporary cover if I ever want to change out the paper on the shade.

 



Almost done - you can see where I folded over the paper along the sides.  When each new piece is added, I covered and layered over this fold.  than I had the challenge of how I was going to cover the sides.  I did not like seeing the paper edges.  Mind going at this point while I finished up.





 I used 2 different pieces of paper from the collection. I wanted a different look from each side and it allowed me to turn the lampshade around for a different feel. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Now, back to the base. It is dry now and it needed something.  Using a few sprigs from Petaloo and one of the metal butterflies form Graphic 45, I added them to the base.  The butterfly was put through my Vagabond and embossed using one of Tim Holtz's Sizzix Alterations - Texture Fades  #558577.  Next, I used Alcohol inks and stained the butterfly with some soft but warm

colors. 

 

 

 

Almost done.  Remember the lamp shade, well I used some ribbons from May Arts to cover the long edges, the top and the base as well.  Here is my finished product.

 

 

 

I am almost tempted to do something with the shade to fill in the large sides but sometimes less is more.  I love it just the way it is.  BTW, the bubble in the lamp shade is the paper not laying down against the cloth beneath.  Oh Well...I still love it.

 

 

I hope this inspires you to remake a lamp that you may have and hate.  This was a fun project and one that I will repeat again.  Wonder what papers Graphic 45 will come out with next?......

 

 

Enjoy!

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Steampunk Spells Halloween Banner

 

 

Steampunk Spells Halloween Banner

Featuring Graphic 45's Steampunk Spells Collection

Created by Charlie LaBonte

for The Hens Den

 

 

Banners are so much fun.  You can create almost any kind of banner you want and for any occasion.  The Hens Den will start making banner kits for sale and you can find them on our website at www.TheHensDen.com.

 

 

Our first banner for 2014 features Graphic 45's Steampunk Spells Collection.  I love this line.  You can do so much with it but isn't that true of all Graphic 45's collections.  True love affair here at The Hens Den.

 

 

The collection includes black cardstock, 5 sheets from the collection, 2 1/2 sheets of the collectin and both chipboard collections and the envelops.  Also, from May Arts, you have 3 ribbons plus the 12 foot foundation ribbon.  Yes, this banner is 12 feet long.

 

 

It really purposed a problem taking pictures of this banner because  it is soooooo long.  12 feet worth. So, I had to take pictures in sections.  I am not going to post all of them because this kit is for sale in the store, there are just enough here for you to get an idea of what the banner would look like finished.

 

 



 

 

 

Please stop by the store and purchase your kit. There are only 10 of them and once they are gone, they are gone. 

click here to go straight to the stores link

 

Enjoy!!

 

 

 



New Ideas for 2014!!...Banners

 

 

Happy 2014

 

 

It is really sad to say that 2013 was very overwhelming for me.  There was an abundance of change and I found myself so overwhelmed, I had to let go of a few things.  Blogging was one of them.  My sincere apologies.  Going forward, I hope you enjoy the content and keep coming back to visit.

 

2014 brings a lot more organization and a brand new direction for The Hens Den.  While last year was spent working on a new website (of which I am NOT good at) and changing credit card processing companies and creating new product direction, I think I have it together for 2014. 

 

The Hens Den will not be attending CKC in Portland Or or in Bellevue WA this year.  The costs to attend those shows are just way to much for a little store like The Hens Den.  However, We will be attending the Scrapbook Expo in July at the Puyallup Fair Grounds..  So, please come find us there. 

 

The Hens Den will be moving over to kits, banners and a monthly Kit club (to be announced in late 1st quarter).   While we have been very active in the pre-made kits, we are finding that the banners that we have in our booth created such a large amount of requests, we are going to add them to our kit collections.  Each banner kit will be designed around a certain paper line.   Here are just a few of the many banners that we have had over the past couple of years.

 

 



 

 

This banner is for our booth.  Tangie Hyatt made this for The Hens Den.  She did a wonderful job.  Using heavy cardstock, she doubled layers and then punched holes to run the ribbon through.  Yes, she used her Cameo for the letters.   She loves that machine. 

 

Next up: 

 

This is a banner using one of Bo Bunny's collection.  Tulle was used on the tops and then pearl strands were used to connect each piece. 

With all the use over the years, we did have some bangle casualties but I still love the banner.

 

Next up:

 

 

This is a small Christmas Banner using one of Graphic 45 Christmas Collections and Ribbon from May Arts.

 This was made using chipboard and then gluing on the pieces of paper.  There are also several canvas pieces, like in the picture above and below. 

 

Next up:

 

This banner used Graphic 45 Curtain Call collection.  I just love that line and truly hope they bring it back!

 

This would make a wonderful party banner. 

 

Next up:

 

 

This banner used one of Webster's Pages collections. This banner was so long, I could not get all the pictures taken, my wall was not long enough. But you get the idea.

 



Each circle has a letter of the alphabet on it and this ended up being darn near 15 feet long.

 

 Simple, easy and classy

 

 

 

We are very excited about this new venture and hope that you will enjoy the kits enough to purchase them.   With the requests, I can only imagine that they will go very quickly.

 

 

Other Changes for 2014

 

 - No Design Team.  This was a very hard decision but a necessary one.  I miss the ladies a bunch but each one understands and were very grateful for the opportunities they had while with us for the past 2 years.   Each one of them are wonderful and talented crafters and have found them selves several new DT to continue their growth in the art of crafting.

 

- Classes - We will be holding classes more and more.  Hopefully posting them hear on the blog so that you can visit them as often as you want.  

 

- Retreats - This is such a fun event, we have taken on the task of having at least 2 per year.  Our next  retreat is in June of 2014 and it is FULL and we still have 5 months before the retreat.  WOW, what a pleasant surprise.  Guess the word got out that we are fun to be around..hehehe.   Keep your eyes peeled if you want to join us. We will post the announcements on FB and the website.  

 

There are so many other changes that are planned but best to leave them for later. 

 

 

Thank you so very much for being a part of The Hens Den for the past 2 years.  I truly hope to see you again. 

 

Hugs and well wishes!!!!