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“She’s a designer”

My MIL (mother-in-law) and I went to Hobby Lobby last week to buy some upholstery webbing and other supplies for current projects.  We had two fidgety toddlers, so I asked if she would get eight yards of upholstery webbing cut for me while I picked up some other things.  When we found each other, she was laughing.  The clerk at the cutting counter asked what the webbing was for. 
“It’s for my daughter-in-law.” 
“What is she going to do with all of it?”
“She uses it to cover lampshades and things.”
Blank stare.
“She’s a designer.”
“Oh.  Ooookay.”
Some people just don’t get it. 
So, I took my upholstery webbing and used it to cover a dated thrift store shade, which topped off a brass thrift store lamp that I primed, painted and antiqued. 
Here’s how the lamp started.  It’s a very heavy, quality lamp, but I don’t know a single person who likes brass lamps anymore.  Well, my mom has brass lamps, but her home is very traditional and they work there.  Anyway, I used a spray primer for metal to make sure the paint would adhere.  After the primer coat dried, I brushed on two coats of red (equal parts red and burnt umber) acrylic paint and finished it off with a rub of dark walnut stain.
The huge shade was a challenge to cover.  The bell shape made me get creative with the pattern, but I love how it turned out.  I simply cut the pieces of webbing to size and used hot glue to hold them in place. 
Do you get it?  Or am I alone here?  Hello?
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Miss Mustard Seed

Marian Parsons 

Paint Enthusiast | Writer | Artist | Designer

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90 Responses

  2. I get that "I don't get it look" when I pick up funky things at yard sales! They just can't imagine what I would want with that piece of junk!

    Love the lamp!

    bee blessed
    mary

  3. I love this! I bought several yards of webbing last Christmas to weave in the garland I had down our stairway. The lady at the counter said, "Why would you do that?" I took a picture back a week later to prove that I wasn't crazy and they started pushing the webbing as "creative Christmas decor." You're not alone!

  8. That is so funny because I just bought an antique spool to turn into a lamp and when I told the lady at the checkout, she looked at me like I was nuts. Ah well.

    Your lamp looks really nice. I love the pattern you made on the shade. 🙂

  9. I don't think that people at craft, fabric, or thrift stores should be able to look at us like we're crazy…it's not right (lol)!

    I love the lamp! The color is perfection…

  12. I just purchased a bunch of glass christmas ornaments at a thrift store and the clerk was surprised when i said I use them to make wreaths. She said she never heard of wreaths using balls. I guess you need to have a creative mind to see the possibilities. I love the red lamp. I can hardly wait to try this.

  15. Very Funny!! I dont' get why people don't "get it". I guess you got it or you don't!!

    Very pretty as usual! I just want you to know you are an inspiration to me. Thank you!

  17. I really like it. We don't use red in our home now, but plan to when we finish our basement. I am thinking something like this would look FANTASTIC there! Great job, as always!

  21. I love this, Marian! The red & burnt umber combination made a gorgeous color. I can't tell you how many times I've heard the "Oh. Ooookay." Such is the life of a designer (and a wannabe like me)!

    Hugs,
    Jami

  26. I'm so glad I saw this today! I actually just posted a tutorial on my blog today where I used this webbing and fabric stiffener to make a basket.

    Me at Joanns: I need 7 yards.
    Lady behind counter: What are you using this for?
    Me: I'm going to weave it together, use some fabric stiffener and make a basket.
    Lady: Blank stare, crickets, no response.
    Me: Looking at the floor, re-thinking the idea, trying to figure out if it's dumb…

    They don't have to get it, the blog world will! 🙂

    XO

    Erin

  28. LOVE this. I think you did a great job. I have an awesome shaped dented lampshade that I've been planning to replace. Now I know what I will do! I think I'll just use fabric I already have. Do I need a hot glue gun or would simple fabric glue work?

  32. I know that this unrelated to this post, but you have to do a tutorial about the glitter butterflies. I just asked my MIL for hers, go figure she had some, and my husband thinks I'm crazy. Please void this request if you have already done a post and I have missed it.

  33. Love your lamp & lampshade! I have a lampshade with a stain that I could try this on. Thanks for the inspiration!…and I love your blogsite, too.

  35. I looooovvveee it! Too funny! I am sure your mil had a grand time with that one. I always love when the person at the cutting table asks, "so, what are you planning to do with this?" I think I need to start thinking up some really good one liners!! LOL

  36. Wow, this lamp shade is beautiful! I really like it, it is not typical, it would be noticed by anyone because it is unique. Great job!
    Oh yeah, I get the "look" regularly at JoAnn's, I don't think most of the employee's even craft or sew, its just a job.

  37. I was wondering what she was going to say about her Mom's brass lamps – she handled that very well – don't you think? MMS's Mom

  38. I totally get it…I think I still get more disapproving comments than positive ones over my intentions to apint furniture, so many people still think tht is almost illegal or definitely immoral at least, lol. I bought a 10 metre roll of jute webbing on our local online auction site last week but the guy isn't responding to my emails 🙁 Not fair, I want to get stuck into some projects with it…I was going to start with embellished cushions 🙂
    xx Karen

  40. Who knew a brass lamp could look so good in 2010? All my lamps are brass (yuck, but I'm thankful for the post-marriage generosity from my MIL) and I've wanted to replace them, but now I'm inspired to simply give them a face lift.

  42. oh yes, "the look", it's quite common here.
    the electrician gave me that look recently when i shared some of the design & details of our bath renovation. he now is so intrigued that he wants to see the bath after it's completed (and may bring his wife).
    i consider it a complement, in a wacky kind of way. lol
    judi 😉

  44. I have loved webbing from afar…the color and texture of it. But I didn't know what to do with it. A lampshade like yours would look great at our lake house…thank you so much for being an inspiration to a possible future project!

  45. Love the brass lamp – I found a very similar one at St Vincent DePauls last week and have been dying to find the time to paint it – love the red you chose – very nice!

    I love the brass stuff because the weight is heavier and its better quality and once paint is applied – its primo!

    Beautiful redo – you designer you!

  46. I get it!!!! Thank you for the post. I love brass lamps and webbing. I buy my webbing in 10 yd. amounts only to explain to my husband my ideas and guess whay? He get's it too!!

    Always, Teresa

  47. I so totally get it & knew what it was from the first pic lol Genius I tell you thats what you are & now I'm on a quest to fit this in my French inspired office or my son's room lol Thanks

  49. I am endlessly amusing to the cutters at Hobby Lobby and JoAnn Fabrics as well. They always ask what I am going to do with it and when I tell them, they just kind of roll their eyes!! Ha!! Love your lamp…I get it…I really do!!
    Hugs
    SueAnn

  51. Soooooo cute! I have a brass lamp here just crying out for the same paint job! Thanks for inspiring me to get on with it! Love the upholstery stuff too, I actually think I have some of that in my stash! I bought it years ago, not knowing just what I would do with it…now I know!

  54. Oh that lamp is BEAUTIFUL!!!!!!

    I may have to try that sometime, I have many lamp shades to redo!

    I have a few brass candlesticks that I want to paint, or maybe silver leaf… not sure yet.

  55. You're right, some people just don't get it at all!
    I think the lamp looks great! In fact, I have two heavy, brass lamps that were my moms just waiting for some love. This is a cute idea for them. 🙂
    ~Michelle

  58. 'She's a designer' explains it all! hahaha. I love your lamp! Isn't it great how metal finishes can be painted and look so completely different.

  64. love it it turned out so cute . . . its funny somedays I love to just browse through Lowes, and the employees are always shocked when I say I am just browsing, just gets my creative juices flowing 🙂

  69. I get it! Love the lamp, I'll be looking at those brass lamps with a different eye now. I also get the crazy stares when I'm paying for something hideous or when I buy 52 of the same thing.

    Great inspirations as usual!

    Joyfully,
    Elizabeth Ann

  70. LOL I get it. I think you have GREAT ideas… love you style. Now I need to get me some of that webbing! I live in a city have to drive to the bigger city thirty miles away to get fabric. Webbing is going on my list.

  72. That's me, I am the person who likes brass lamps. I have several antique bouillette? ones, one really heavy one made from a church candlestick that I bought at the Kips Bay Showhouse in NYC, and several more antique ones. When you have traditional English type furniture, good brass lamps look better than most other types. I really liked what you did with the lampshade. I have never thought to use the webbing that way, and I am a lamp person. When I get out of the middle of nowhere Colorado, I am going to go buy some of that. I should probably stop on my way cross country, because we have no Hobby Lobby's in my state, and hardly any fabric stores less than an hour away. Great ideas you have Miss Mustard. Ann

  73. And another thing….Martha Stewart has validated all of us that used to make our own clothes, sew, embroider, and do all those other not cool things. I have been collecting old things, quilts, junk, lamps, etc for years. My family thought I was nuts. When we bought our second (retirement?) home in Colorado a few years ago, I shipped everything in a moving van from Connecticut. It cost $6500. I had ordered mattresses. My husband relented and bought me two leather sofas on sale. Within a week after the furniture (junk) had arrived, everything was done, placed, and hung up. Living room, family room, dining room, four bedrooms, four baths, office. They started nodding their heads saying, Now we get it. This is great Mom. Validation, now who is so crazy?
    When people look at me funny, I just think in my mind, you are working, I am saving money, and I have been doing this all my life. So now I don't have to work, I can read and hunt for more junk!

  78. You didn't happen to be at Hob Lob in Chambersburg, PA, did you? I have found in my experience that the people behind the cutting counter there have no personality whatsoever. I can imagine they "didn't get it"! The lamp and shade turned out amazing!

  81. I tell my family all the time that these big box stores could do so much better if they actually hired people who are actually creative and make things. I think their sales would sky rocket. Love the lamp, and the shade, you designer you!

  87. I like what you did with the webbing. I bought some to use on the edge of a floor pillow and I got that look when I tried to explain. I also appreciate the instructions on how to make the lamp look antiqued.

I’m Marian, a painter, writer, and lover of all things creative. From art and antiques to home projects and everyday life, I share my journey in hopes of inspiring you to embrace your own creativity and make beauty in the spaces you live.

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