From the beach to the grocery store to a busy restaurant, Judy Lake is better known as “The Lampshade Lady.” It’s a strange moniker, but one that suits her just fine. Since 1998, Judy has owned Lake’s Lampshades in Pawlet, Vermont, where she’s built a business around her love of lampshades and their ability to light up any room. Last year, she put her passion to the page with her first book, The Lampshade Lady’s Guide to Lighting Up Your Life, with ideas and templates for 50 custom lampshades and lamps. We talked with Judy about how she got her start in lampshade-making, the most unusual shade she’s ever made (think BIG), and why she’ll always love being in business for herself.
