Post #258889 by jpmartdog on Wed, Oct 4, 2006 7:58 AM

Today on the Martha Stewart show, an artist (Heather Wells)presented a lampshade idea with cocktail umbrellas. The idea was actually very cool. Starting with a plain white paper shade, she glued umbrella tops (cut off stem) around the shade in overlapping circles around the shade. Seems like an interesting alternative for those that don't have access to true Oceanic Arts style lamps.

Although this pic is using many colored umbrellas - I actually preferred the sample they created on the show utilizing only one color on the entire shade, ie. just green umbrellas, or just orange. I think it's a cool inexpensive idea for tiki bars.
One funny note on the show - the artist stated that it was a great idea for a kids room or a Tiki Bar. Martha retorted sarcastically - "Well, who has a Tiki Bar!". The artist said - well my friends have one in their basement. Martha then said - "Well, I'll have to build a Tiki Bar!" Sounds like a great opportunity for some fast thinking Tiki-philes to get some serious national exposure! I'm gonna email her today with the whole Tiki-central story. I'd love to jump on the idea of bringing a home Tiki-batr story onto the show - If you're interested let me know asap, looking for home Tiki Bars and Tiki artists and Tiki Bar creators to join forces and create a segment on the show!

Here's the link to the artist, Heather Wells' website - to see more of her lampshade ideas.
http://www.brightlights-littlecity.com/

and a link to the Martha Stewart page with instructions to make the lamp -
http://www.marthastewart.com/page.jhtml?type=content&id=stv3170018&layout=martha