Mission Style Prairie Lamp: Part Four

Mission Style Prairie Lamp
Part Four: Sourcing Sources

Sourcing sources:  QSWO and white oak are pretty common and available for a price even in the mountain west.  I am sure that the prices per board foot are MUCH better where white oak thrives. Not so much in the sage brush forests of the Great Basin. So, for a price, you can get what you want locally.  Or, travel and save some. 

            Online resource for Mica is pretty easy with today’s immediate gratification on-line shopping. Selecting the thickness and tint of the Mica is a decision. I went to Ashville Mica for my material.  Here is the link. https://www.ashevillemica.com/category/lampshade-mica.  Asheville offers a sampler package for @$20.  Buy that to get a feel for the material and tone. Different thicknesses,.015 and .030 are options.   The color options range from silver, stained/speckled, amber, clear amber, clear dark amber, green  in two different thicknesses, .015 and .030.    I liked the clear amber in .030.  Consider the thicker material to provide a sturdy installation.  Here is the  sampler package link. https://www.ashevillemica.com/category/lampshade-mica/decorative-lampshade-mica-sample-kit.  

 I went for the thinner material on the first lampshade.  Thicker for the final three.  I will go with thicker for any future installation. That may be a personal preference. Thicker does offer a sturdier panel in the finished shade.  Not that the wooden frame is weak, rather, the protection from something hitting the mica and damaging it.

            Lamp Parts:  If you want to go with the harp-style hardware, that is probably available at the big box.  Again, personal preference here, but the harp style is not a stable/sturdy  installation for an heirloom quality lamp.  If you elect to go with art glass, the harp style is just not strong enough.  Again, personal preference. One or two bulbs are also a consideration.  You can find a two bulb  lamp style for the harp.   But, you really have to hunt that down at a specialty shop on-line or boutique lamp repair shop locally and they will  probably order it on-line.

            Here are some suppliers:  https://www.bplampsupply.com/; https://www.antiquelampsupply.com/; Two light, brass, nickel finish, S-Type cluster body with pull chain sockets: https://www.bplampsupply.com/product/4615_nickel-2-light-s-type-cluster-body-with-pull-chain-sockets; https://www.antiquelampsupply.com/nickel-2-light-s-type-cluster-body-with-pull-chain-sockets.html;

            Finial, Corbel, Top Cap, Finish Nut:  Regardless of the harp or

Lamp Pipe, threaded, lamp nipples, reducers,spacers, reducers, nuts and other hardware needs:

Mission Style Prairie Lamp

Part Five: Starting the Build