Lampshade Making Workshops

Are you fed up with seeing the same old plain and bland lampshades and can’t seem to find something that is so you? Why not make your very own lampshade and learn a new skill at the same time.

Why not book a lampshade making class (for Adults) with Pots of Art in Hitchin

 All you need to do is just bring along your fabric for making a 30cm lampshade (measurements should be at least 110cm x 30cm).  Light-weight or medium-weight cotton works best (with no textures, embroidery or embellishments).

You will be provided with everything else you need to make your lampshade.  Absolutely no sewing involved!

Workshops will be held at: Pots of Art – Hitchin

To book please call:  01462 420265

Provider: Tola Laseinde

Cost: £ 40 per person

Duration: 3 hours

Dates & Times: To be confirmed 

Online Shop: www.ankaralampshades.etsy.com

Facebook: www.fb.com/Dezine.Konnections.Interior.Design

Email: tola@dezinekonnections.com

If this venue isn't convenient for you, I can come to you. we offer one-to-ones, group workshops, you can even host a party or hen night with a difference (the host will be charged only half-price).

We cover Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Essex and London. You can email me at tola@dezinekonnections.com

Why don't you have fun and learn anew skill at the same time. Make your very own unique lampshade made by your very own hands!

Back to School Sale: 50% off all Handmade Home Decor Products

I am ever so sorry for being MIA. I know so unexpected without any warning. I had taken a bit of an unplanned break during the summer holidays. A breather to unplug & down tools, relax and reflect too. But saying that, I did do 2 fully-fledged market days last month in London @Camden Lock Market. Never ever done an outdoor market before so that was a whole new world to me. And I enjoyed every part of it. I promise to do another post on that, so I won't say too much now!

But back to THIS post! My son, aka Funky Geek, started secondary school last week. We all were & still are excited about this new stage of his life. And to celebrate that with my readers & customers I am having a sale on all my handmade products.

It's  50% off everything in my shop online (including custom orders). Yes ~ all products ARE Half Price. Please use Coupon Code: BACKTOSCHOOL while checking out. We now make African Print lavender bags/pouches using freshly-dried lavender. Custom request are welcome too!

Am sure this is a good time to get your Christmas shopping out of the way. There's something for everyone!

So are you ready!  On your marks, get set ....... GO SHOPPERS GO :-)

My ETSY Christmas in July (CIJ2013) Sale is now on ......

Sorry for my 'no posts recently' absence on my blog. Just been so so busy with my handmade line of Lampshades, cushions etc. Time just seems to fly by. 

Just so you know though we at Ankara lampshades by Dezine Konnections Interior design are taking part in the 'Christmas in July' Sale. All you need is on the sale poster below. You could also send me a message via the 'contact the shop owner' link on the left hand side of my shop (http://www.etsy.com/shop/AnkaraLampshades) if you have any questions or queries. 

I also wanted to share with you some lovely treasury list that featured my African wax Print and Printed Cotton Lampshades in the last few days. Nice collections from hardworking Etsy Sellers. Am just doing my bit in promoting Etsy!

I usually have this surprised-shocked look on faces when I am promoting my shop to people I meet in various settings (could be my son's school, networking events, independent shops or even among my friends) and they have NEVER heard of Etsy. Am like WOW, really! So I go into an extended talk about what ETSY is. And their usual response is 'Oh really, I must have a look'. I then proceed to whip out my Blackberry and show them my online shop. And I always, always get the same reaction  - your lampshades are soooooooooooo beautiful. Such unique patterns and colours as well.

his is what my handmade creations are ALL about. The smiles on my lovely customers' faces when they buy one of my fab lampshades or cushions. Total satisfaction guaranteed!

I'll be doing a few market stalls (Camden lock next month) and craft fairs this summer and beyond. So to keep up to date of my events, please 'LIKE' my Facebook page and you won't miss out ......

 https://www.facebook.com/Dezine.Konnections.Interior.Design 

}My take on Xmas in July Sales ~ You have the chance to get some/all of your Christmas (and other important occasion) shopping out of the way. Also the prices are reduced too.~ 

UK Handmade's Summer 2013 Showcase feature!

Oh, did I tell you about my Summer Showcase feature in UK handmade, one of my unique handmade Ankara lampshades made it. I think this would be a perfect gift for Father's Day, would go well in a man cave / home office / bedroom me thinks! The possibilities are endless. Here is the link to the Summer showcase http://www.ukhandmade.com/showcase/summer

and here's a closer look at my fab Blue Chevron African Wax Print Lampshade ......

Did you know that there is a matching pillow available too ......

For more wonderful handmade gifts, here's the link to my Etsy Shop http://www.etsy.com/shop/AnkaraLampshades new items added on a regular basis. Will be making notice / pin boards, fabric  bookmarks and other home decor items soon. :-)

And I also have a sale on at the moment, all info on the flyer below.

Happy shopping my fellow readers!

The Thomas Chippendale Factor ~ Happy 295th birthday Sir!

Oh how I so love classic periodic furniture. I mean the ones that take us back in time. And never go out of fashion

And today is a very significant day as we mark Thomas Chippendale's life!

Image Credit: google.co.uk

And I so love Google's Doodle. Trust them to come up trumps. All well-known Chippendale furniture pieces 'doodly' represented here!

So, who was THOMAS CHIPPENDALE? 
He was a very famous 18th century English cabinet maker as well as a furniture designer. And he's from Yorkshire, just like me :-) I wrote a piece about him for one of Interior Design Diploma assignments which is reproduced below

 "He was well known for making furniture that was more functional thus concentrating on strength over appearance. Quite famous for his cabriole legs with the carved claw and ball foot that were popular on his chairs and dining tables He loved using acanthus leaf as carved designs and pierced urn shaped splats on chairs. His style commonly featured elaborate lines and embellishments

Chippendale published a book called “the Gentlemans’ and Cabinet-Makers’ Director”. This served like an advertising journal for tradesmen.
He also had a Chinese style, sometimes called Chinoiserie which featured pagodas, bamboo turnings, claw-and-ball feet, intricate latticework and lacquering. Then finally, he had a Gothic influenced style that contained pointed arches, quatrefoils and fret-worked legs.Chippendale was best known for his desks and secretaries and he was the first to design the Pembroke table which had a drop-leaf design with an oblong or rectangular fixed centrepiece which contained a drawer underneath.Thomas Chippendale loved using Rococo, Chinese and Gothic influences and representing this in his furniture by including motifs like shells, rocks, foliage, flowers  and C scrolls..  His was a master carver with designs typically being made of His later works had French-Chinese and Gothic influences."

And now I share some of his most beautifully designed furniture ......

Lovely Jappened Chippendale wardrobe in Green and Gold at Nostell Priory.

Image credit:  nttreasurehunt.wordpress.com via Pinterest

A couple of "Chippendale" armchairs 

Image credit: tdclassicist.blogspot.com via Pinterest

Now this I adore. Rococo inspired Chippendale mirror adorned with flowers, birds, leaves and bulrushes.

Image Credit: furniturestyles.net via Pinterest

This lovely corner cabinet with chinoiserie detailing, I believe, was made for the actor David Garrick 1768  - 1778. 

Image credit: vam.ac.uk via Pinterest

}My take on Thomas Chippendale ~ His furniture pieces are classics, their value has appreciated a lot over time and I wouldn't mind owning a piece of history one day!~