What kinds of manufactured forms are available?
There are a lot of lampshade forms on the market.  Worden and Odyssey are the only form/pattern manufacturers that I’m familiar with but I don’t doubt that there are others.  As far as I know, all of their lampshade forms are either “outside” (pattern and glass go on the outside of the form) or ”complex” (similar to an “outside” form except that the shape is complicated to the point that the lampshade would need to be made in sections and then assembled).

Worden System:

Worden sells a variety of full and partial Styrofoam lampshade forms.  Worden also sells a number of patterns for each lampshade form style.  Worden imprints the outside of each lampshade form with a grid.  The pattern is printed on strips that conform to that grid.  You just cut the strips out and affix them to the lampshade form using double-sided tape.

My Worden 18" Waterlily lampshade form

A second copy of the paper pattern is to be cut out and used as a pattern for cutting the glass.

Pins, stuck into the Styrofoam, are used to hold things in place while work progresses.

Odyssey System:

Odyssey produces some of the most authentic Tiffany lampshade forms, patterns and brasses that are available.  Odyssey’s forms are white fiberglass.  The patterns are lightly etched into the fiberglass.  To make the patterns more visible, odyssey recommends that you apply a thin, black grout and white glue mixture to the surface.  Once dry, a light sanding will leave you with black lines on a white background.


My Odyssey 18” Flowering Lotus lampshade form

(wrapped in clear wrap to keep wax clean)

My Odyssey 18” Flowering Lotus lampshade form

(wrapped in clear wrap to keep wax clean)

Odyssey provides two complete copies of the pattern.  In the two that I’ve done, the first had a paper pattern and a Mylar copy.  The second had two Mylar copies.  In either case, one copy (the paper one if you have one) is meant to be laid flat and used to lay out your pieces.  The other piece is cut apart and used as a pattern for cutting the glass.

Obviously, you can’t stick pins into fiberglass.  Odyssey uses a product called “tacky wax” to lock your work in place while work progresses.  After the grouting step that I mentioned above, a very thin coating of hot “tacky wax” must be applied to the entire form.  When you get to the point where it’s time to take the lampshade off the form, getting the lampshade to release from the “tacky wax” is an interesting task (let’s just say it involves a lot of heat).

Tiffany’s System:

Even though the only Tiffany lampshade forms that I’ve ever seen were in museums, they are worth mentioning here.   Tiffany’s lampshade forms were solid wood.  They were turned on a lathe and then etched with the patterns.  As Tiffany’s artists worked they held their work in place with tacks.