Horses and Shopping, doesn’t get any better.

Shandell’s will be joining The Market at Fitch’s Corner Horse Trials this year,July 24 & 25.  The horse trials are a yearly event, beside the glorious horses that come from all over, there is a tent full of fabulous finds. There will be over 40 shops for you to enjoy.

Shandell’s will be bringing wonderful array of one of a kind pieces for the weekend, lots to make you smile.

The Spectator Luncheon benefits the the Millbrook Rescue Squad, which is held on Saturday.  As well as horses there is also a Collector Car Parade is an exhibition of antique and vintage automobiles.

If you are a horse lover, as I am or just want a wonderful event to support, there is something for everyone to enjoy.  Located in the center of Millbrook hunt country in Dutchess County, 2 hours north of New York City.

Hope to see you.

Susan

Workshops

Since the launch of my new website I have been increasingly getting emails and walk-in visitors asking about how to pick the right size lampshade for a lamp, and how long does it take to make a shade, and can I make “this” (whatever “this” is!) into a lamp.

Starting in May I will be extending my hours (Thurs. – Sat. 11-5 and Sun. 11-3), and will also kick off FREE monthly workshops on the second Saturday of each month, to help answer some of those questions, and more.

May 8 and June 12 are the first two workshops, from 9-11 AM each of those days.

Topics we’ll cover include: how to fit a lamp with a lampshade, revamping a dated lamp with a new shade, basic construction of a shade, and different things you can make into a lamp.

The workshop will also include an inside look to “the Lampshade Lady’s” world. Come see my vintage paper and fittings and trimmings collections, and learn about how I got into this, etc.–and have a cup of tea!

Hopefully those who attend will be inspired to spruce up their decors with a new shade or a new lamp fashioned from some treasure they own.

Look forward to meeting you,

Susan

Spring flowers from the 1920′s to the 1950′s

When I started making lampshades in the 90′s, vintage wallpaper was the main material that I used.  I have a huge collection of papers that spans from the 1800′s to the 1950′s.

Wallpaper from that time period was made on real paper not vinyl, and every color of the paper had a roller to roll that color on it.  Giving the wallpaper a hand painted look. When the light comes through the shade, it has a wonderful glow.

I was down in my basement where I keep all of my wallpapers, looking through them for inspiration.  Outside all of the leaves and buds are all coming out, I thought to make a fun series of shades using floral wallpaper from the 1920′s to the 1950′s.

Each paper different in time, but all have flowers on them. From romantic roses to flowers with silver stenciling from the 1950′s, how retro is that.

Hope you enjoy them as much as I did making.  There will more added soon, so check back often.

HAPPY SPRING.

Eddie Ross + Elle Decor = EE

A little over a week ago, I received a phone call from my friend Eddie Ross.  He needed some lampshades and lamps for Bloomingdale’s Big Window Challenge. He brought in a pair of wonderful peacock blue, mid century lamps that he got from Deborah at Buck House.

We had a wonderful time designing the shades for these, going through 100′s of papers, fabrics and trims.  Settling on Gold Leaf wallpaper from Phillip Jeffries. The lamps had so much to offer in the way of design and color, the shade for them needed to be just as strong, but not overpowering.  I think they came out fantastic.

I was also lucky enough to have a small pair of peacock blue lamps to coordinate, I made matching shades for them as well.  These lamps sit tucked away on a book shelf filled with eye candy.

The display for this room setting in in the window of Bloomingdale’s in New York City.  There is a contest between three very talented people, each very different and each with style.  I have a bias for Eddie’s window, (it does help that I did the lampshades for him)I just love it.

Head on over to Bloomingdale’s Big Window Challenge , read all about each room, the people who designed them and cast your vote.  I won’t tell you who I have voted for I will let you guess.

Thank you Eddie for including me in this fabulous project, I am looking forward to seeing it next week in person.

Susan

An army of night lights.

As the elves at Shandell’s (me) have been getting ready for the Holiday Season, night lights are always top of the list.  Recently I have found some amazing new papers, just calling to be made into a night light. I could not resist this picture of them waiting to be bagged and ready for giving.

They look like an army, all in line waiting for there new homes.

Something everyone needs a night light, young and old.  Making them into a piece of wall art is part of the fun. Inspiration comes from my vast collection of vintage imagery and hand made papers.  Making a decision as to which paper or image to use next, is my biggest problem.

There is a night light for everyone on your Holiday list, the horse lover, nature enthusiast, graphic artist, addicts of vintage anything, feathers, hand made paper and lots more. Enjoy finding your perfect light for the middle of the night.

Susan

Susan Schneider of Shandell’s

Shandell’s is the creative home of me, Susan Schneider, a longtime collector of things vintage with a passion for recycling them into things that make you smile.  I have been a mad collector of vintage goods in many mediums for the last 20 years, and I’ve since amassed quite the collection of wallpaper, old prints, books, and lamps of all types, which I transform into lampshades, night lights, unique tissue box covers, delightful matchboxes, and holiday ornaments.

Spring is right around the corner

As one of my winter chores has been to organize my new studio space, I have been going through all of my inventory of fabulous finds. I came across a wonderful pair of architectural pieces, these came from a 19th c main gate of a formal garden. I made them into lamps and paired them with lampshades made of sea grass, giving a wonderful texture and glow.
Thistles are a favorite of mine and these seem to show that off.
Enjoy looking, spring will be here soon. Come and explore Shandell’s studio in person or visit my shop online. New items will be added weekly.

Peace,

Susan

Cherry and copper

One would not think that you could
make a lampshade from real wood that is durable and pretty. I have found a great source here in the USA that makes sheets of different wood veneers coated in a patented process, allowing me to make lampshades from them. The one pictured here is a cherry wood lampshade that I trim in real copper. The wood and the copper, like wine will color with age and use. The shade gives off a wonderful glow adding a warmth to any style.

Peace,

Susan