Throwback to the Hippy Days: Retro Flower Power Handmade Lampshade by Detola and Geek

Oh my goodness, with my mouth wide open, I can't believe I haven't posted anything in like ... a min. A million sincere apologies!. What can I say, work and being as busy as a bee just gets in the way ;-)

Well here's a lampshade that reminds me that Spring is coming and would soon be upon us. The perfect time to start redecorating and possibly shop for a brand spanking new bespoke lampshade. Perfect icing on the cake.

Here is a a Spring inspired handmade lampshade made by Detola and Geek that I cooked up recently. A great retro ‪‎floral ‪lampshade. Talk about a throwback to the 60s / 70s ‪Flower Power era! Quite stunning if I must say so myself!

It's a 30cm medium drum lamp shade & can be used on a ceiling light fitting or on a table or floor lamp base. I was drawn to this beautiful fabric because it made me smile and feel happy

A limited edition handmade lamp shade with only 3 available. if you want to get your hands in one of these beauties please click on one of the online shop links

Etsy Shop: http://etsy.me/1Bmb3re

Folksy Shop: http://folksy.it/1LvwRSc

You can connect with Detola and Geek over on:

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/DetolaAndGeek
Twitter: http://twitter.com/DetolaAndGeek
Instagram: http://instagram.com/detolaandgeek
Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/DetolaAndGeek
Tumblr: http://www.detolaandgeek.tumblr.com

Have  great Friday y'all x

wink emoticon

March Sale on Lampshades, cushions & other home decor items

I do have a sale on which ends on Monday 31st of March 2014. Lampshades, cushions, fabric wall covers, lavender bags etc

You can 25% off anything you buy, that also extends to custom orders placed by that date!

All you need is to use the following "coupon code" when checking out and the discount will be applied automatically:

MOTHERSDAYSALE

Please feel free to contact me via www.ankaralampshades.etsy.com (my online shop)

or send me an email to tola@dezinekonnections.com

p.s. I take on special commissions & projects too using your fabric or ones sourced on your behalf. Feel free to email me with your requests.

Confessions Of A Lampshade Maker

So this is my maiden post. The first of many (can't put a number to that yet nor frequency of post). But one thing I can assure you of is that they will be about lampshades, all kinds of interesting topics! Follow my blog so that you don't miss a read

Here's how I started this handmade journey I suddenly seemed to find myself on .................

No kidding, It was REALLY a light-bulb moment!

This is a where my two worlds collide. My love for interiors and the fabulous African Wax Print fabric (also known as ANKARA).

It all started from my crazy love of Ankara. The popular African fabric/ material used originally for clothing for all occasions - be it for everyday, evening, wedding or party wear. It's vibrant, eye-catching, colourful and easily adaptable. 

African print fabric is mainly made from 100% cotton fabric although other types of material are used especially cotton-mixes. You can trace the origins of this popular material back to Dutch-Indonesia (and not Africa as most people think). The locals have been applying traditional wax-resist dying methods to produce batik cloths. The outcome of the process are very unique, wonderfully patterned and vibrant fabrics. The Netherlands adapted this technique and modernised it. - hence the term 'Dutch Wax' They started exporting it to Africa (via the Merchant ships). Nowadays a lot of designs result in a clashing mix of exciting colours (And apparently they do work well together) 

What makes these African Prints SO unique is the way the patterns & colours run and appear. Never 100% symmetrical but yet very appeasing to the eye. 

I can never get enough of Ankara. And literally Ankara fabric has exploded globally. It's everywhere. You even see it on famous fashion runways, famous brands now use it in their products, they are used in fashion and home accessories etc.

So I thought to myself, you know what I can do one better. Being an interior Designer, I didn't want to delve away from interiors, home decor & accessories. I also wanted to make the product myself by hand using Ankara fabric. And then I had a light bulb moment. Pun so intended.

And the rest is history!

Below is a snapshot of my online shop which features some colourful Spring inspired products which are also ideal as Mother's Day gifts.  where you will find my handmade African print lampshades as well as, cushions, lavender bags/pouches & other home decor items. You can also easily place custom/bespoke orders and send me messages . I do make lampshades in non-African fabric too!  

This blog is loosely based around lampshades & lighting. My other one, detolaandgeek.co.uk, concentrates more on the wider topics of interior design colour, architecture, products & design, travel & culture etc.