My bad, I’ve never done a story about Moon Shine Lamp & Shade. I think it was because I thought, “Everyone knows about them.” Well, in case you don’t, Moonshine is one of two key places to go to get custom-made, fiberglass lamp shades in true vintage atomic style. If you have a lamp base or a pair that need shades — and only a fiberglass beauty will do — and you can’t find vintage — now you know where to turn. D’Lana Arthur and her husband James (the cuties at the right) have been making the shades since 1998. Over that time, they’ve surely “done it all” — and D’Lana is trained in interior design — so they can recommend a design to make your pretty lamps truly stunning.
2021 Update: The Moon Shine Shade website is now gone. Not sure what happened. For another company that does shades like these, try Modilumi.
.D’Lana writes:
We started in 1998 in Memphis, TN. I went to school for interior design but was working as a bartender when a friend mentioned he was selling left over stock from making reproduction vintage lamp shades for his vintage furniture store to replace missing shades on vintage lamps he had found. My husband, James, is a musician. We decided to buy the materials and started building a business. At that time, there were about six styles and four different patterns to choose from. We had a friend build a website for us and started going to trade shows. We started with gift shows and gradually moved to design shows.
We do crazy projects almost weekly. The way we expand our knowledge is by accepting nearly ANY design and rising to the challenge. We have done 8 ft diameter shades, 8 ft tall shades, ones made entirely of ribbon, a steel laser cut shade of the Houston skyline, wood veneer shades, aluminum mesh shades, 3 ft cubes…we can make lamp shades out of almost any material. We do custom printing on shades as well.
We are very busy and have remained steady through the trying economy.
Thank you, D’Lana, for sharing all these photos. It’s great to hear success stories like yours of entrepreneurs in the mid mod space — taking a chance, focusing on quality and craftsmanship, and in reality, creating their own markets. Good on you!
Where to buy: Moon Shine Lamp & Shade
I also want to note that in addition to being pretty snappy, fiberglass shades can be better for the environment in that: They generally are quite translucent and let a lot of light show through. If you want to save on electricity, make sure your lamp shades are made of materials with a lot of translucency. Many decorative shades — I have some myself — look pretty, but in reality block out the full effect of the bulb. Which means I have to turn on more lights elsewhere. Remember how, in way back olden days, they put clear glass over their hurricane lamps — because they wanted to maximize the available, costly light? Duh.
JefferyK says
I bought a lamp shade from Moon Shine to dress up a contemporary floor lamp base from Crate & Barrel — a Corina, white with silver arcs and silver glitter lacing. I absolutely LOVE it!
MrsErinD says
I LOVE Moonshine shades! We bought 3 lampshades from them I guess about 2 yrs ago now, 2 larger and one smaller, they were custom, we had them make the 2 tier shades in white with gold atomic starburst pattern and aqua lacing and they came out gorgeous! They are very well made, just as nice as an old fiberglass shade we have. And it didn’t take as long as we thought it would, they tell you it can take up to a certain amount of time when they are custom, but ours were done real quick, possibly since we didn’t have dyed shades I am guessing, and they were packed very well and carefully too which made me happy.
Anyhow, ya, I was happy with my shades, lol. :O)
Nina462 says
Aw shucks – where was this when I was looking for a shade last year? The closest I could come was to spend $200 for a new shade for a $2 lamp….but alas, I did not spend that money. The shadeless lamp is still in storage in the basement, and I purchased a new-old vintage lamp for $35 – complete with shade instead. I should send a picture as the on/off switch in the in middle of the lamp (kind of like a waist).
But good to know when I do want to order!
Tasha says
I love vintage fiberglass lamp shades, and Moon Shine does a great job at replicating the original look. We found a pair of fantastic 50s lamps recently and will probably get matching shades from them since we haven’t been able to find originals.
I agree on the quality of light, too. Our living room is lit entirely with table lamps with vintage fiberglass shades just like that, using CFL bulbs (2 or 3 lights on, depending on how much light we want). And I’m the kind of person who likes good bright light, so it’s a testament to the quality of those as a filter for your light source! The slight tint of the shade makes you never know you’re using a higher efficient bulb, too, which is an added bonus.
Jill says
I’ve been coveting these lampshades for a while now. Gorgeous.
Any chance you Moon Shine folks would consider making exterior decorative “dingbats”? I’ve been eyeing one on an apartment down the street…which would look awesome by my front door. I’ve even scoured the hardware store for metal rods and disks and such so that I could try to make my own. Just can’t find the right stuff.
Dave says
I have a D’Lana of Moonshine story to tell.
After I read this post I noticed in one of the pictures the photo of a five tiered shade on a brown Ibix or gazelle (the brown lamp that kind of looks like a horse with horns).
I grew up with this lamp. It was the lamp next to my bed for probably ten years. I phoned D’Lana and asked her to pass my desire to purchase this lamp to its owner.
Can’t guarantee I’ll end up with the lamp, but D’Lana went out of her way to help. Nice lady.
Tea says
Thank you SO much for this post!! I’ve been looking for the perfect lamps for 5 years now, and i finally know where i’m going to get them – Moon Shine! I’ve been coveting my grandma’s original fiberglass lampshades and original atomic lamps (she bought them when they first came out, and they are in pristine condition) since i first laid eyes on them 20 years ago, but she loves them so much she told me i can’t have them until she dies!
Anyway, i’ve been scouring estate sales and thrift stores and have never found any. I’m over the moon right now, and i’m just giddy with all the custom features. Thank you so much!! This has made my week!
TappanTrailerTami says
Awesome Possum! These are stunning shades! I don’t need any now, as the 4 lamps I have that have fiberglass shades still have their originals. But if I ever need replacements, Moon Shine is on top of the list.
I also would like to add to Pam’s commentary on fiberglass shades: these things are sooooooo forgiving! I have a Porcelier floral china lamp with it’s original laced fiberglass shade, and that lamp has been knocked over at least 3 times (grrr kids), and the shade was pretty majorly dented (horrors!) and each time I just popped it back out and you can’t tell. Wow.
One other thing about Moon Shine – don’t miss their Moon Shine Home shop – great stuff there too, and I just *love* their screen door inserts!
http://www.moonshineshades.com/index.php?page=shop.browse&category_id=14&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=1
Puddletown Cheryl says
Hey Pam,
You are listed twice on the Apartment Therapy contest. Should get on the to merge them!!!!
pam kueber says
oh, i’ll go look! thanks! Pam
Jenny says
I just need to find some lamps so I can buy a shade!