Today I went to meet Hannah Nunn about my lampshade designs.
Hannah contacted me on twitter and commented that she liked my papercut designs and i looked at what she creates, which is papercut lampshades and I was instantly interested in her work! I arranged a meeting with her at her shop in Hebden Bridge and I went along with my designs for my lampshades and my personal paper cuts to ask her opinion on them and she gave me really good feedback about my designs and she gave me some helpful tips on the processes and materials I can use, along with some safety information.
In regards to materials and safety I was told that as long as the material of the lampshade was at least three cm away from the bulb there should be no fire hazard and the material should be scorch tested to make sure it doesn't burst into flames. If it scorches it is safe, but if it sets alight then it is deemed not safe for production and sale. The bulb fixture and plastic components that hold the wire and stand for the lampshades that Hannah uses are her secret find and she would not tell me where she buys them, but she uses them for all her lampshades, which are all paper and cut by laser. Each lampshade is encased in a fireproof laminate that is sealed and clipped onto the lampshade base.
I also asked about pricing and wholesale as I was interested to see what price I could and would charge for my lampshades if they were made to a professional standard plus I asked about approaching shops and retailers with my designs, the quality of my designs and the standard of my materials.
In relation to pricing and wholesale, I would need to come up with a price that seems profitable and reasonable as a direct selling price to customers, which could then have 40% deducted from it and still leave me with a reasonable profit. This method of pricing is appropriate for wholesale and for retailers, where they would take 40% of the profit and I would get 60% (this is the price Hannah charges for designers work) The quality of my designs and materials were said to be professional and creative. Hannah really liked my designs for my lampshades and my personal paper cuts, which gave me a boost in confidence as she is a professional, creating similar products and making a living from it. The quality of materials I used were said to be fine too (generic cartridge paper) for lampshade production and safe to use. When approaching retailers, I asked about stock and variety, and Hannah said that it would be best to have at least six lampshade designs and a variety of designs to approach the retailers with so they could have a choice of design to place in their shops but not too much of a certain design in case it isn't popular and doesn't sell.
I feel as though the whole visit was productive and has really helped me with my project. I know understand the safety elements of designing lampshades, the materials that are appropriate and the best way to price my lampshades and approach retailers. Thanks Hannah!