Ruth De Fraga Gomes
Ruth came from a fashion background but retrained with City and
Guilds qualifications to become a traditional lampshade maker.
Alongside teaching, she has had a small business for 13 years
making lampshades for private clients, exhibitions, theatre and
visual merchandising. Her work has been featured in Period Living,
The Guardian newspaper and Surrey Life and she has written a book
Shades of Light, How to make a Tailored Lampshade.
Describe your approach to teaching:
My approach is warm friendly and relaxed. I demonstrate each stage
and then support students as they work, with a very hands on
approach. My courses are design led, but I also teach the skills to
make a tailored shade with a full balloon lining.
What inspires your own work?
My inspirations for designs primarily come from the world of
fashion and millinery, as I experiment with colour, fabric and
embellishment to produce contemporary shades using traditional
methods.
