My name is Ivy Karlsgodt and I run a business called Ace of Shades making hand-sewn vintage-inspired lampshades. I also post process videos under the handle @aceofshadesshop on Tiktok and Instagram.

I got my BFA in Theatre Design & Technology with a focus in costumes from the University of Evansville in 2017 where I learned about sewing, textiles and design. I worked in the costume industry for several years, mostly at a costume shop called John Kristiansen that produces costumes for Broadway, film  and TV.

While I was temporarily laid off from my costume job in 2020, I started making lampshades as a hobby and selling them to cover the cost of materials so I could keep creating. I immediately loved it! Tiktok helped immensely with showing my work to a larger audience and it grew much bigger than I ever expected. I eventually started working my costume job again and continued making lampshades in my off hours. As my following and demand grew, it got harder and harder to juggle both jobs. I left my costume job in mid-2022 to make lampshades full time with the occasional costume gig here and there.

I'm very inspired by fashion and art history, particularly of the 1910s-1940s era which is also when this style of lampshade was most popular. When I'm in need of inspiration, looking at fashion, textiles, art and films from this era is super helpful. I also love to play around with unique color combinations, so I try to keep my eyes peeled for new color ideas when I'm out and about. Sometimes I find a really beautiful fabric, appliqué or beaded fringe and design a lampshade around that.

The movie Pearl, the book Motherthing by Anslie Hogarth, and Dedcool's Smiley Face Garden perfume