| The correct looking rawhide lamp shade can make | | | | the size of the shade out of paper or cardboard. For |
| nearly any lamp look perfect. But the wrong size | | | | example, use the lower edge of the cardboard for |
| lampshade can make a normal lamp look unbalanced. | | | | the base line. Measure up the height of the shade |
| And ordering the wrong size lampshade is | | | | and draw a horizontal line parallel to the base line |
| inconvenient and expensive. Make the right choice | | | | which will represent the top edge of the shade. Now |
| the first time. | | | | draw a vertical line straight up and down from base |
| Our specialty is rustic lighting and southwest rawhide | | | | line or to the top edge line. If you imagine the base |
| lamp shades but the technique we use will work with | | | | line, vertical line and top edge line as the capital letter |
| any lamp shade, rawhide or otherwise. Give it a try | | | | "I" you are on the right track. |
| to help choose the right shade for your lamp even | | | | The next step is to mark the top and bottom |
| before you order. Follow this simple procedure to | | | | dimensions of the shade on your pattern so that you |
| help make the right choice the first time. | | | | get the correct slant for the edge of the shade. |
| First, we need to understand how lampshades are | | | | From the center line measure and mark the top |
| measured. You will need three measurements, | | | | diameter of the shade. |
| bottom diameter, top diameter and height. The | | | | An example would be, if the top diameter is 5" then |
| height of a shade should be measured straight up | | | | measure to the left and right of the center line along |
| and down vertically...not along the slant. | | | | the top edge line 2.5" on both sides and make a |
| Measuring Tip #1: The reason we measure height up | | | | mark. Those points are the top corners of your |
| and down, "vertically" is that the height measurement | | | | pattern. Repeat along the baseline using the shade's |
| of you lamp from bulb socket base to top of harp is | | | | bottom diameter. If it seems confusing, it's really not, |
| probably the minimum vertical height you will want to | | | | but very simple and quick. See our full color shade |
| cover with your shade. | | | | measuring diagram for a visual aid. |
| Measuring Tip #2: The height of your lamp can be | | | | After that, cut out the pattern and have someone |
| adjusted with a shorter or taller harp to be able to | | | | hold it in place over the lamp, while you step back |
| use a standard shade rather than ordering a custom | | | | and look. Even though it is flat, you will be able to get |
| lampshade in many cases. | | | | a feel for how the shade will look on your lamp and |
| Now, here is the trick to ordering the right shade. | | | | order with confidence. |
| You probably have an idea of the approximate size, | | | | It is a quick and easy system to make sure that you |
| so simply consult a list of rawhide lamp shades and | | | | are on the right track in your shade size selection. |
| select the one you are considering. Each shade's | | | | This simple idea has helped our clients save a lot of |
| measurements should be listed as described above. | | | | aggravation and money over the years and we trust |
| Next, make a simple two-dimensional "flat" pattern | | | | it will help you too. |