a vintage lamp redo {a call for original blog content}

My post the other day about all the sameness in the blog world got a lot of attention. We had a lively conversation about it on Twitter, and there were more comments on that post than there have been on any post in months! With everyone being stretched across so many social networking platforms, it’s no wonder that it struck a chord with so many.There has been a call for those of us writing blogs to dig deeper and create original content. Sound familiar? Back in January I suggested that I only update the blog when I have actually made something. Yikes! That sort of activity makes a blog less fluff, and (hopefully) more full of substance, but it also leaves you far more exposed!
I have what feels like a pretty personal blog. I write about what I am thinking and make an effort to share what I am working on. The more personal your blog is, the more you’re putting yourself out there for people to comment on, like -or- not like what you are doing. Everyone has an opinion, you know? As a matter of fact, I almost didn’t share the images of my finished lampshade because so many people unsubscribed after this post about the progress I was making with the laundry room decor.

I’ve said it before, but stopped sharing the stationery projects that I was working on because I found that there is a mentality “If the idea is on the internet, it is free to take, copy, and then blog about how well I did copying it.” But perhaps this will be a challenge to myself to 1) get thicker skin 2) to create things that can not be replicated so easy 3) to set my blog apart from the rest.Oh, and on my quest to make more things - The Mr and I signed up for a welding class at 3rd Ward. That’s right. The Dragoos: putting the we in weld since 2011. The class runs the entire month of August. If all goes well, I am pretty sure I am going to make us a cocktail table for the fireplace room.  I selected the lampshade materials with Susan from Shandells and she executed a beautiful end product. All the images are my own.

Posted by Amy Beth Cupp Dragoo / Personal and totally off topic and Uncategorized

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17 Responses to “a vintage lamp redo {a call for original blog content}”

  1. Bruce Barone on 21 Jul 2011 at 10:29 am

    You make me smile! xo TKS!

  2. Beth @ My Chic My Way on 21 Jul 2011 at 10:32 am

    Very nicely done!!!! I have been plotting on making a vase into a lamp using a kit I ordered but this also is a great idea!

  3. Susan on 21 Jul 2011 at 11:02 am

    It’s beautiful!

  4. ashley @ the handmade home on 21 Jul 2011 at 11:28 am

    this IS beautiful! What a great find!!! ;)

  5. ABC Dragoo on 21 Jul 2011 at 11:39 am

    Hilarious! No sooner did I post this link to Twitter that I got “nice lamp, but the shade, not-so-much” I’ll never please everyone! (I do find it funny, the haters always seem to be the ones who don’t have a URL in their twitter bio)

    I am not insecure about my choices. My aesthetic is consistent and I know what I like. But I must admit, I am rather sensitive! ;)

  6. Mabley Handler on 21 Jul 2011 at 11:45 am

    You said it yourself…When you write about personal things, it unfortunately does open you up to other people’s opinions, for better or worse. And as we all know, the semi-anonymity of the internet can often yield thoughtless, if not down-right rude comments. Sure, it can sting. But if you are happy in your life, and are true to your creative nature, you can’t worry about what people say. If someone takes the time to be constructive in their criticism, sometimes there may be something to learn from it. But if they just say “I hate it,” or “YUK” (http://bit.ly/r9qQOU), what can you do? You just ignore it, assume that their mother didn’t raise them with polite manners (what ever happened to the “If you can’t say anything nice, don’t say anything at all” concept? Didn’t every child hear that growing up?!), and move on. Life’s too short to try and convert the Haters. And just think of all the people that told people like da Vinci, Michelangelo, Monet and Picasso that they were no good. Just think what would have happened if they had listened.

  7. Maureen on 21 Jul 2011 at 12:02 pm

    Amy, cannot agree more with you about uncreative posts. I have decided to only write original content posts, which mean they will be posted on an irregular basis. As it turns out, most of my comments are on FB and twitter and not on my blog anyway. So much for analytics.
    I also agree with Mabley Handler’s comment above. I myself need a thicker skin, but have come to realize that If I love my creations, my decisions, my aesthetic….how can it be wrong.
    Unless my opinion is asked, or I am directly affected by a decison someone else is making, I do not give an opinion and ALWAYS try to give a positive response. Some people do not naturally have a FILTER between their head and tongue…unfortunately for them.

    BTW…your new lamp is lovely…and is totally YOU!!!!

  8. ABCDDesigns on 21 Jul 2011 at 12:12 pm

    Maureen, thanks so much for the thoughtful comment. Part of my reasoning behind getting rid of comments is that advertisers/potential partners/and businesses that are offering opportunities are using ‘old school’ social media ideas like -do they get a lot of comments?- to determine if you get the invite to participate in events, parties, projects, etc.

    I was asked to write for a blog that a food company owns – between them and their PR people, they were pretty wacked about how to get engagement. Needless to say, I found myself defending the comments on my blog.

    Thanks for the compliment on the final product, and for taking time to comment!
    xoabcd

  9. ABCDDesigns on 21 Jul 2011 at 12:13 pm

    Austin, wise words indeed! Thank you so much!
    xoabcd

  10. ABCDDesigns on 21 Jul 2011 at 12:15 pm

    Thanks Ashley!

    I linked to the post ‘progress on the dining room’ where I talked about where the lamp came from. (not sure if you clicked over – but I bought it during college) and had Susan from Shandells do a new shade for it. I am very happy with the result-the lamp has not looked this good…EVER!

    Thanks for commenting,
    ABCD

  11. Tara Bradford on 21 Jul 2011 at 12:27 pm

    Ha ha! Well we can’t please everyone! Your lampshade is perfect for the lamp – a gorgeous combination! Thanks for the mention and thought-provoking ideas!

  12. Silver Magpies on 21 Jul 2011 at 12:57 pm

    ABCD – Your last post made me think, write, debate, and question “blogging” in a most enjoyable way. And this one is already causing thoughts in my head like a popcorn popper.

    You aren’t ever going to please everyone, but do you want to? If everyone’s tastes were the same the world would be a bland and boring place. Your blog is a place for readers to expand their horizons. I know it does that for me.

    I’ll be horribly blunt and admit some of the photos you post I look at and think…no, that’s not my taste. But the more I look, the more I understand how deft and sure your touch is. The item in question might not be something for my home, but yes I can understand why it works and is fab in yours. And that’s also a key point, you are letting us into *your* home! Your posts are not about set pieces destined for sale, it is a family home.

    We are extremely lucky guests. A really good blog post is like a great conversation at dinner, you don’t have to agree with everything that’s said. But when you don’t, see it as an opportunity to deepen your own understanding.

    Going out on another limb, I’d urge you to not close comments. Yes, most of the time most of us leave banal – great post – comments, but when you really strike a chord…allowing comments provides a permanent home for valuable, substantive conversation AND keeps it all in context. That is too important to cast away. Social Media platforms, for all their virtues, are by design ephemeral spaces. The thread of conversation winds, frays, and breaks too easily on social media.

  13. Carolyn on 21 Jul 2011 at 1:49 pm

    Hi:
    I’m not much of a “commenter” but wanted to let you know that one of the reasons I subscribe to your blog is to receive your personal views. I, too, don’t enjoy seeing the same thing on many different blogs on the same day – it’s truly the individual creative view that I am looking for. Images copied from a publication are not “personal.”

    I love seeing images of what you are working on as it inspires me to look at things in a different light. I used to enjoy the views of your home and how you were reworking things to reflect yourself and your needs. I certainly respect your privacy and don’t really “know” you but I did feel a connection when you were sharing what was going on in your life and it felt like I was experiencing it with you. I am a retired interior designer and loved seeing what you were doing to make your home reflect a young, vibrant, busy family.

    If you are comfortable, I would adore seeing images of what you have done with your country house and your city apartment. I waited through the entire kitchen process with you and then did I miss seeing the completed look or were you feeling like you needed more privacy?

    Best regards to you.

  14. Kathy on 21 Jul 2011 at 3:55 pm

    What a lively discussion! First and foremost, thank you for allowing us into your home Amy. I’m sitting here thinking about the cookie cutter world that we live in. I must tell you that one of the things I enjoy most about your blog is that you share fresh ideas for using and incorporating different objects and pieces. It takes REAL creativity to pull that off and besides, that’s part of the fun! I hope so much that you’ll continue to share your thoughts and inspiration…Your blog is a pleasure to follow.

  15. Deborah Merriam on 21 Jul 2011 at 6:55 pm

    Welding!!! You Dragoos are so badass! =D

    And the lamp is fab, and perfectly _you_. As is your entire blog. I think you’re realizing how rare that actually is.

    I’d like to echo what @SilverMagpies just said. Having a space where conversations about the important things get preserved, instead of disappearing in a social media feed, is incredibly valuable. I’ve seen some websites use a service (like DISQUS) that pulls in tweets and facebook posts and archives them in the comments too – but not many people are using those so far (there doesn’t even seem to be a way to use such services if you’re using a readymade platform like blogspot), and I’ve noticed that all the blogs I read have been getting fewer comments on the blogs themselves in the past year. That’s not necessarily a bad thing, if we’re all having conversations and building community on the SM networks instead, but it would be nice if there was more permanence to those conversations. I’ve been mulling things over since your last post, and my resolution has actually been to make more comments – and more meaningful comments – on blog posts I enjoy, instead of just tweeting about them. (I already blog only to please myself and mostly follow the slow-blogging philosophy of writing in-depth, original blog posts. Sometimes I wish my posts were prettier, but nobody will ever suggest they’re not solidly researched – they usually turn out more like an academic review paper than anything, I’m afraid, but I’m still finding my voice.)

  16. ABCDDesigns on 22 Jul 2011 at 10:00 am

    Hello Carolyn!

    Thanks so much for leaving a comment – I realize there are a lot of you out there who read and don’t feel comfortable commenting, so I really appreciate you doing so.
    Thanks for your kind words. My renovation is moving along slowly but surely. The kitchen is completed, but we’re still looking for the perfect carpets and lighting fixtures. I’d rather hold off and show it when I am truly finished and proud of the final product.

    One of my issues with sharing too much as we don’t live in the house full time. Nothing is private in this world, and it feels a bit like an invitation to anyone who is interested in that sort of thing to show up and know exactly where everything is. So yes, privacy is a bit of a worry. Safety is also a concern as many times I am up in NWCT when the Mr is working in the City.

    The other issue: I have been asked by more than one magazine if they can photograph my home. Nothing has been set in stone, but I don’t want to mess up my chances by leaking too many photographs. Anyway, as time goes on I am sure you’ll get better glimpses – I just need to do it in a way that makes both me and the Mr feel comfortable!!

    Thanks so much for being a reader. I hope that you continue to enjoy the blog as time goes on.
    xoABCD

  17. susan on 24 Jul 2011 at 5:42 am

    You seriously make me smile!!!!
    Originally you have.
    Style you have.
    Embrace it all.

    xo

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