The Art of Handstrung Beads
Creating an elegant beaded Victorian lampshade is much more complex than simply gluing prefabricated materials together—it’s a process that takes skill, patience, and a lot of attention to detail. Every beaded lampshade and lamp pairing at Elegance Lamps is unique, made with care and craftsmanship that’s impossible to replicate exactly. Here’s a closer look at what goes into designing the intricate beadwork that defines my shades.
Sourcing and Selecting Beads
The journey of each lampshade begins with finding the right materials. I personally select each bead, from sparkling Austrian and Czech crystals to rare antique gems, making sure every component stands out and adds to the overall quality. Beads can turn up in the most surprising places! One of my favorite discoveries was a bag of 1920's antique tube beads I found in a box from grandma’s attic at a yard sale. These beads have since become one of the most requested for custom lampshades.
Beads for the lampshade project below totals 4,452 individually strung pieces, each specifically selected to add beauty and harmony to the final project.
A mix of colors and textures—from rich greens to soft pinks and vibrant magentas—that create a balanced and refined design.
Bead manufacturers often discontinue certain beads, which means I can’t always recreate a lampshade made even a year ago. I learned this the hard way, more than once! I miscalculated bead spacing, and by the time I went back for more, they were out of stock and no longer made. Now, I make sure to buy extra beads for each project. This is why each lampshade at Elegance Lamps is unique—materials that might not be available again make every piece irreplaceable.
Designing and Stringing Beads for Perfection
Designing the bead strands for a lampshade takes a lot of care and a good understanding of how each bead works with the shade’s colors, length, and the antique lamp base. I calculate the length and arrangement of each strand to create the best visual effect. This also means making sure I have enough beads to finish the project, which requires some serious math! Measuring the wire line, calculating the number of strands, and figuring out how many times a bead will be used—there’s a lot more involved than you might expect.
Tying Bead Strands
In this video, you’ll see the process of tying a single bead strand by hand. Every strand is designed, arranged and tied to ensure it is both durable and visually appealing. This step takes time but is crucial to achieving the finished look.
Time and Expertise Matters
Hand-stringing bead strands is a time-intensive process that can take months for a single lampshade, depending on size. This kind of dedication comes from years of experience in crafting designs that are both delicate and resilient. Unlike mass-produced items, each lampshade I make requires patience, focus, and a significant monetary investment. While I could quickly make less expensive lampshades using pre-strung or plastic/acrylic beaded fringe, I prefer the freedom to choose quality crystals that match my lampshades perfectly and add a level of refinement and sophistication.
Beaded fringe Victorian lampshade with handstrung beads by Crystal Hayes at Elegance Lamps.
The Finished PiecE
When the bead strands are finally sewn in place, the lampshade reflects the time and care put into every detail. Besides adding that final touch to the handcrafted lampshade, the bead arrangements reveal harmonious colors, intricate designs, and subtle sparkle. There’s something incredibly special about turning a lamp on at dusk and experiencing a colorful warm glow of sparkling beauty.
Thank you for taking the time to learn about this process. For me, each lampshade is an opportunity to gain the satisfaction of handcrafting something truly elegant that will stand the test of time.
See the Current Collection
Click the button below to shop currently available handcrafted lampshades and antique lamp pairings by Crystal Hayes at Elegance Lamps.
About the Author
Crystal Hayes, Owner and Lampshade Artist at Elegance Lamps
Seattle, WA USA
Crystal Hayes is a lifelong Seattle resident who gains inspiration from the natural beauty and vibrant arts communities in the Pacific Northwest. She thrives on creative expression resulting in unique Victorian lampshades, vintage lampshades, and antique lamps that can be used in everyday life. Crystal is entirely fearless when it comes to design, she is a perfectionist at construction techniques, and she proves that customer satisfaction still matters.
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ELEGANCE LAMPS VICTORIAN LAMPSHADES AND ANTIQUE LAMPS
Where beauty meets functionality.
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