Before the invention of the light bulb, most shades for gas lamps were made of glass or pierced metal to prevent them from catching fire. After Thomas Edison invented the first commercial incandescent light bulb in 1879, lampshades were made from various fabrics to cut down on the glare. Early on, most shades were purely functional, but as the interest in interior design flourished, lampshade makers began to create ones to match room's decor or to complement a uniquely-designed lamp. Many women are finding making lampshades a lucrative and creatively satisfying home-based business. You may get start your own business of lampshade wholesale by offering reasonable wholesale rates of the variety of lampshades. Lampshades manufacturing production with uniqueness and inventiveness will enhance your value of marketing.

Start-Up Costs And Financing Sources

* $300 minimum for supplies, books, course fees, advertising, etc

Pricing Guidelines

* $50 for a simple shade to $450 for a more elaborate one; extra charges for fringes, handpainted scenes, expensive material
* Some lampshade makers charge by the inch, measuring the bottom circumference of the shade.

Marketing And Advertising Methods And Tips

* Encourage word-of-mouth referrals.
* Take out an ad in the business telephone directory and local newspapers.
* Print up business cards and flyers to post on community bulletin boards, or leave them at lamp shops, antique shops, and decorating centers.
* Send out direct mailings to interior decorators.
* Take time to build up a solid reputation for quality and beautiful work.
* Take samples of your work to antique shops, home furnishings stores, and Victorian specialty shops. They may not only buy your products and services outright, but also refer customers to you.

Essential Equipment

Sewing machine and notions, paint supplies, assorted fabrics and art paper for cut-out or painted shades, craft knife and tracing paper, unusual frames (look for these at garage sales and flea markets), printed business cards and flyers.

Recommended Training, Experience, And Needed Skills

* Study how-to books and videos, and practice on your own lampshades or on those bought at flea markets or garage sales.
* Enroll in lampshade-making courses at craft centers or adult evening schools.
* Have an artistic talent.

Income Potential

* $300-$400 a week
* Some lampshade makers earn $10,000-$ 15,000 per year.

Type Of Business

* Primarily an in-home business.
* Your customers can come to you for consultation and estimates.

Helpful Tips

* Dorothy Gillis, a lampshade maker for years says, "You should be able to make both hard and cloth shades as well as do basic repairs as an added service."
* Gillis gives estimates to her customers at the consultation and tells them to give her a call if they want her to make the shades. This gives them time to consider spending money on a custom shade, which is more costly than a manufactured one.
* Keep a portfolio of your designs and photos of your custom lampshades to show to clients.
* Keep a file card for reference on each lampshade you make with the time it took to make it, the fabric and supplies used, and the price charged.

Additional Business Ideas

Offer to repair and make lamps as an added service. Look in your local library for books on making and repairing lamps.

Types Of The Lampshades

There are different kinds of lampshades are available in the market with the multifarious designation and stuff to win the attraction of the customers. Country lampshades are manufactured in the different styles and designs according to the traditional trends of the country-side regions e.g. folk village, northern exposure, evergreen, haystack, mustard seed, and Sturbridge etc. black lampshade has created the very fantastic shade and style in the room, giving the exquisite look and final touches to the décor of the room. Glass lampshades are designed sophistically to give a unique and antique look of craftsmanship. Paper lamp shades are styled and made of exclusive kind of the paper of different shades which give the outstanding impact of lighting at night.

Chandelier lamp shades are presented with unique styles and designs like Ivory Pleated Chandelier Shade, Feather Chandelier Shade, Floral Cream Chandelier Shade, Gold Silk Chandelier Shade, Linen Chandelier Shade, etc. vintage lamp shades are the refection of traditional trends of primitive age, Victorian furnishings. Bamboo lamp shades are found in the very incomparable designing and furnishings to enhance the lighting effects with great fascination. Mica lamp shades are designed in the very typical and elemental shades to boost up the decoration and innovative designation particularly. Clip on lamp shades are fantastically designed to décor the lampshades with the greatness and uniqueness. You have to know all the kinds of lampshades with all manufacturing materials and products to get start your supplies of lampshade wholesale.