Laura Lights

My name is Laura Syren, the owner of Laura Lights. What led me to my lamp shade business was when I was taking a printmaking class. During the class I started layering papers and making collages with the press. After seeing the paper Mache technique used, I experimented for about a year layering paper over lampshades frames. I was able to build a substructure durable enough to later add more layers of collage designs that would make a sturdy shade.

I start with a white rice paper called Kinwashi. I use the paper Mache method to make my lampshades, wrapping wet strips of papers around the lamp shade frame. When the strips dry they shrink and form a tight drum-like sub-structure. I then appliqué the paper designs which I hand cut. I make all of my lamp shades by hand. I have no employees: there’s just me doing the work in my studio at home.

It depends on the complexity of the design, but on average it takes me, from start to finish, about 3-4 hours to create a finished lamp shade. I start with as many as 12 to 15 shades and then work on them in stages. It's like pottery, I start with a wet lampshade, let it dry and then work on it in stages layering papers. While some of the shades are in the drying stage I work on cutting designs.

I started doing custom lampshades for interior designers, builders and a few friends. I buy the frames or have them custom welded. The lamp bases are made by artists and manufacturers.

I like all styles of design and art... I think about all the different decors there are in homes and offices. I look through interior design magazines and fabric swatches to get new design ideas. I then imagine that I'm making a lamp shade with that fabric pattern and/or color scheme to accent and complement a specific room or space, whether the room’s overall design theme is Asian, Southwest, Vintage/cottage, Tropical, African or my favorite, modern design. I think adding just a few custom accent pieces makes a dramatic difference in the look and feel of a space by the use of light and custom light shades.

I was born and raised in Portland, Oregon and earned a degree in drawing and basic design. I moved to Bellevue Washington in the 80's and continued taking art workshops in painting and printmaking.