Good Lighting for Needlework - Boy, What a Deal!
The importance of good lighting while you're doing your needlework just can't be underestimated. For the avid needleworker, your eyes are probably your most important tool! And to save them - to make your work easy on the eyes and to reduce eye strain - good lighting is essential. There's nothing I like better than a Good Light. I got a "deal" on one last week. So I thought I'd tell you about it...
I have a couple lights I use for needlework - one is an Ott Light Plus, that can either sit in a heavy base on the table or can clamp to a table. It was my first needlework light purchase, and I've used it too many hours to count. I keep it in the 'garage-gone-studio' in the back of the house.
I also have in the living room one of the "decorative" variety of Ott lights that looks ok (when it's off). I'm not particularly keen on the blue-ish-bright glow that comes from Ott lights, as they aren't very "decorative" or warm looking when they're on. From outside looking in, they make the room look kind of cold. But still - for stitching under, the decorative ones like this are ok. They don't have the same "light coverage" as the long, wide, functional ones, though. The light shines in a pretty direct circle right where it's pointed, and that's it. Still, it's ok!
Now, for a good light, you're bound to spend quite a few bucks, right? Those links are all to Ott lights at Joann Fabric and Craft stores. When they're on sale for 40% off, you can get an ok deal on them.
But check out this light:
Though it looks like the Ott Light with the flexible arm, this is actually an Ultralux 55W floor lamp, by Full Spectrum Lighting. It differs from an Ott light in a couple ways, but the most notable way in my mind is that it has a dimmer. With Ott lights, you can either turn them on, or turn them off. With this Ultralux, you can adjust the range of brightness.
Now, the Ultralux floor lamp is rather expensive, too - this unit sells for around $180. The replacement bulbs are about $30.
It just so happens that a friend of mine was ducking into thrift stores last week, though, and she came across this Ultralux floor lamp... for a whopping whole $2. It didn't work but she bought it, thinking I might interested in it (thanks, Irene!), and realizing it could just be the matter of the bulb.
At first, when I realized the replacement bulb (it's that 4-tube bulb in the picture up there) was $30, I hesitated about buying one. After all, what if it wasn't the bulb? What if it was the lamp? I found a place with a good return policy, and decided to take the risk. To invest a little bit in shipping would be worth it, after all, if the light works.
Guess what?
It does!! And it's wonderful!
The moral of the story, then, is this: shop around! If you're looking for a good light for stitching, drop in regularly at well-stocked, well-frequented second-hand stores. You never know what you'll find!
And that brings me to the final question: What kind of lighting do you use for stitching, and why do you like it? I'd love to hear some reader resonse on this subject!
A little note on this week's book give-away: I'll be posting that later next week, combined with the August Monthly Stash Contest. I'm going to give away the A-Z of Embroidery Stitches 2, plus some threads and such. So keep an eye out for that!
And now, finally, after a busy week and a busy Saturday - I'm going to go spend some time with my needle 'n thread!
Have a great weekend!
I have a couple lights I use for needlework - one is an Ott Light Plus, that can either sit in a heavy base on the table or can clamp to a table. It was my first needlework light purchase, and I've used it too many hours to count. I keep it in the 'garage-gone-studio' in the back of the house.
I also have in the living room one of the "decorative" variety of Ott lights that looks ok (when it's off). I'm not particularly keen on the blue-ish-bright glow that comes from Ott lights, as they aren't very "decorative" or warm looking when they're on. From outside looking in, they make the room look kind of cold. But still - for stitching under, the decorative ones like this are ok. They don't have the same "light coverage" as the long, wide, functional ones, though. The light shines in a pretty direct circle right where it's pointed, and that's it. Still, it's ok!
Now, for a good light, you're bound to spend quite a few bucks, right? Those links are all to Ott lights at Joann Fabric and Craft stores. When they're on sale for 40% off, you can get an ok deal on them.
But check out this light:
Though it looks like the Ott Light with the flexible arm, this is actually an Ultralux 55W floor lamp, by Full Spectrum Lighting. It differs from an Ott light in a couple ways, but the most notable way in my mind is that it has a dimmer. With Ott lights, you can either turn them on, or turn them off. With this Ultralux, you can adjust the range of brightness.
Now, the Ultralux floor lamp is rather expensive, too - this unit sells for around $180. The replacement bulbs are about $30.
It just so happens that a friend of mine was ducking into thrift stores last week, though, and she came across this Ultralux floor lamp... for a whopping whole $2. It didn't work but she bought it, thinking I might interested in it (thanks, Irene!), and realizing it could just be the matter of the bulb.
At first, when I realized the replacement bulb (it's that 4-tube bulb in the picture up there) was $30, I hesitated about buying one. After all, what if it wasn't the bulb? What if it was the lamp? I found a place with a good return policy, and decided to take the risk. To invest a little bit in shipping would be worth it, after all, if the light works.
Guess what?
It does!! And it's wonderful!
The moral of the story, then, is this: shop around! If you're looking for a good light for stitching, drop in regularly at well-stocked, well-frequented second-hand stores. You never know what you'll find!
And that brings me to the final question: What kind of lighting do you use for stitching, and why do you like it? I'd love to hear some reader resonse on this subject!
A little note on this week's book give-away: I'll be posting that later next week, combined with the August Monthly Stash Contest. I'm going to give away the A-Z of Embroidery Stitches 2, plus some threads and such. So keep an eye out for that!
And now, finally, after a busy week and a busy Saturday - I'm going to go spend some time with my needle 'n thread!
Have a great weekend!
Labels: embroidery resources, lighting, needlework tools, pictures
Click here to read the whole post & comments.
Posted By: Mary Corbet on Saturday, August 16, 2008
PermaLink | 8 comments | Click to Comment
Share this
