Hi guys,

I am building some props for a show and the setting needs a couple of
Arts and Crafts style table lamps. I have no trouble making some
convincing props, but I would like to make some mica-like shades for
them. I've thought of using some heavy paper and tinting it, but are
there other inexpensive options that would be more convincing?

Thanks,
Richard

On 26 Feb 2007 14:35:40 -0800, "Richard" wrote:

Hi guys,

I am building some props for a show and the setting needs a couple of
Arts and Crafts style table lamps. I have no trouble making some
convincing props, but I would like to make some mica-like shades for
them. I've thought of using some heavy paper and tinting it, but are
there other inexpensive options that would be more convincing?

I've got a couple of inexpensive Tensor lamps that use some colored
acrylic pieces in a plastic frame, surrounded by what looks like some
kind of art paper backed with what appears to be thin white styrene
sheeting (the kind you get at hobby shops)--the result is far better
than it sounds.

If you google "imitation stained glass" you'll find some other
techniques that might be useful.

You might try experimenting with plexiglass and acrylic paints. You
could thin down the acrylics with water and then use a sponge to apply
it in layers to try to recreate the coloring of mica. A light sanding
with a fine grit sandpaper on the plexi before painting will make it
more opaque and also give it some tooth. Good luck.


On Feb 26, 2:35 pm, "Richard" wrote:
Hi guys,

I am building some props for a show and the setting needs a couple of
Arts and Crafts style table lamps. I have no trouble making some
convincing props, but I would like to make some mica-like shades for
them. I've thought of using some heavy paper and tinting it, but are
there other inexpensive options that would be more convincing?

Thanks,
Richard

On 26 Feb 2007 14:35:40 -0800, "Richard" wrote:

I am building some props for a show and the setting needs a couple of
Arts and Crafts style table lamps.

Glass, then paint.

Anything else is a heat hazard. Acrylic and most common plastics
certainly are.

Get your lighting people to cough up some gels.

J


Richard wrote:
Hi guys,

I am building some props for a show and the setting needs a couple of
Arts and Crafts style table lamps. I have no trouble making some
convincing props, but I would like to make some mica-like shades for
them. I've thought of using some heavy paper and tinting it, but are
there other inexpensive options that would be more convincing?

Thanks,
Richard

On Tue, 27 Feb 2007 01:12:52 +0000, Andy Dingley
wrote:

On 26 Feb 2007 14:35:40 -0800, "Richard" wrote:

I am building some props for a show and the setting needs a couple of
Arts and Crafts style table lamps.

Glass, then paint.

Anything else is a heat hazard. Acrylic and most common plastics
certainly are.

That depends on the distance from the bulbs and their wattage. Most
lamp shades are paper or cloth.

multiple coats of amber shellac did a fine representation of mica for
me on a couple of lamps. Dries fast so you can put on several coats
in an hour or so until it gets to the shade you want. I applied it to
an off white plastic material but if heat is going to be a problem in
the theatre I'd use glass as another poster suggested. Amber shellac
is available at Lowes or Home Depot.

On Feb 26, 4:35 pm, "Richard" wrote:
Hi guys,

I am building some props for a show and the setting needs a couple of
Arts and Crafts style table lamps. I have no trouble making some
convincing props, but I would like to make some mica-like shades for
them. I've thought of using some heavy paper and tinting it, but are
there other inexpensive options that would be more convincing?

Thanks,
Richard

I was assuming that the lamps would be a low wattage household type
bulb and not an intense theater light. For short term temporary use
with a household type bulb and the standard bulb to shade distance, I
don't think the plexiglass would be hazardous, however I would err on
the side of caution.

On Feb 26, 5:12 pm, Andy Dingley wrote:
On 26 Feb 2007 14:35:40 -0800, "Richard" wrote:

I am building some props for a show and the setting needs a couple of
Arts and Crafts style table lamps.

Glass, then paint.

Anything else is a heat hazard. Acrylic and most common plastics
certainly are.

There is a glass paint that's available in small bottle quantities from
craft stores (A C Moore) that's intended for making look-a-like stained
glass. The one that I'm thinking of is called Gallery Glass and it's
available in many colors. In it's wet state it is creamy and opaque but it
dries to a wavy clear tint. I've had excellent success making simulated arts
& craft lamp shades by painting clear glass with it.

Go to this website for information www.plaidonline.com/apGG.asp

--
Charley


"Richard" wrote in message
ps.com...
Hi guys,

I am building some props for a show and the setting needs a couple of
Arts and Crafts style table lamps. I have no trouble making some
convincing props, but I would like to make some mica-like shades for
them. I've thought of using some heavy paper and tinting it, but are
there other inexpensive options that would be more convincing?

Thanks,
Richard

Richard wrote:

Hi guys,

I am building some props for a show and the setting needs a couple of
Arts and Crafts style table lamps. I have no trouble making some
convincing props, but I would like to make some mica-like shades for
them. I've thought of using some heavy paper and tinting it, but are
there other inexpensive options that would be more convincing?

Thanks,
Richard


I made a shade using Thai art paper on lexan sheets, varnished with
semigloss poly, that resembles silver mica.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/7133961@N04/404230789/

I'm sure you can find a more amber-tinted paper if you want the
traditional mica look. Long-life low-wattage bulbs (I used two
appliance bulbs) will enhance the effect.

Will

On 27 Feb, 01:38, J. Clarke wrote:

Glass, then paint.

Anything else is a heat hazard. Acrylic and most common plastics
certainly are.

That depends on the distance from the bulbs and their wattage.

Distance is fixed by design and the brightness may need to be
unrealistically high so as to still be visible on stage. You'll also
have to OK anything you use with the fire marshal, and I doubt if
they'll accept any plastic. It might be OK, but it's not _provably_
OK.

In particular, lighting gels are well-known as a theatrical fire
hazard, if used close to a bare bulb. They're flexible and can easily
be distorted so as to end up closer than you expected.

On 27 Feb 2007 05:28:22 -0800, "Andy Dingley"
wrote:

On 27 Feb, 01:38, J. Clarke wrote:

Glass, then paint.

Anything else is a heat hazard. Acrylic and most common plastics
certainly are.

That depends on the distance from the bulbs and their wattage.

Distance is fixed by design and the brightness may need to be
unrealistically high so as to still be visible on stage. You'll also
have to OK anything you use with the fire marshal, and I doubt if
they'll accept any plastic. It might be OK, but it's not _provably_
OK.

In particular, lighting gels are well-known as a theatrical fire
hazard, if used close to a bare bulb. They're flexible and can easily
be distorted so as to end up closer than you expected.

So according to you it's not possible to have a lamp on the stage with
a shade.

If plastic or art paper such as oriental rice papers cannot be used, I would
look for a good stained glass store. They have a multitude of tones and
colours, it would be easy to find a sheet of glass that looks like mica. If
no stained glass stores are available, I would look into using "glass
stains" to tint and make a milky appearance on window glass.

"Richard" wrote in message
ps.com...
Hi guys,

I am building some props for a show and the setting needs a couple of
Arts and Crafts style table lamps. I have no trouble making some
convincing props, but I would like to make some mica-like shades for
them. I've thought of using some heavy paper and tinting it, but are
there other inexpensive options that would be more convincing?

Thanks,
Richard

On Feb 26, 6:20 pm, "dale martin" wrote:
I was assuming that the lamps would be a low wattage household type
bulb and not an intense theater light. For short term temporary use
with a household type bulb and the standard bulb to shade distance, I
don't think the plexiglass would be hazardous, however I would err on
the side of caution.

On Feb 26, 5:12 pm, Andy Dingley wrote:

Yes, the lights will be just regular low wattage bulbs, probably 60 or
75 watt. They are not intended to be used for any practical lighting,
just ambiance during scene changes. The theater is small and we are
not using a curtain, so the lights just dim during scene changes and
the lamps will give off an amber glow.

Thanks for all the help!
Richard