Made by Hand in the USA: AHS Lampshades

SD1374 Indigo Gingham                      SD1435 Ikat Zig Zag                          SD1507 Anchors Away

It's that time of year, when we pause to think about patriotism and the good ol' USA. Celebrating the 4^th of July makes me proud of not only the freedom I enjoy, but also the fact that our shades are made right here in the USA. For over 25 years AHS Lighting has been making shades by hand in a workroom in Northern Indiana in the midst of corn and soy fields, the heart and soul of our country. What does that mean to you? It means that we at AHS, not only take pride in the product we make, but want to take care of our people and their future too!

According to a new nationally representative survey by the Consumer Reports National Research Center, 78% of Americans would rather buy the American product when given a choice between a product made in the U.S. and an identical one made abroad.

L2423 Old Glory Night Light

AHS currently features over 45 fabrics from which our customers can choose. Our

fabrics range from classic neutral toned linens and burlaps to playful, colorful, on-trend Chevrons, Ikats, Suzani-inspired designs, geometrics, and florals. We also feature theme inspired fabrics for Nautical, Lodge, Garden and Country looks. No matter your taste or style in decorating, AHS has a lampshade for you.

       SD1520 Espalier                           SD1508 Starfish Aqua                     SD1518 Bombay Paprika

With our Mix and Match Program, you can create your own lamp in 2 easy steps. First, pick your base, then second pick your shade. IT'S THAT EASY AND IT'S PERSONAL!

  L2175RD Liberty Table Red Base,   L1700RD Lehigh (Red)

SD1503 Star Spangled,    L2175RD-U2 Liberty Red Table Lamp, Star Spangled Shade,    SD1504 Indigo Grape Vine

So...if you are feeling patriotic, which you should be this time of year, then think about the choices you have when making your purchases....as you do have a choice. Buy American! Better yet, buy a domestic, handmade lampshade from AHS Lighting!

SD0570 Red Gingham Check                   SD0371 White Burlap                      SD1389 Indigo Chevron

Let Your Personality Shine

Maybe lamps don't have personality, but they do bring personality into a room, and most likely mimic yours. Whether you are a country girl or a beachgoer; a horse lover or bird watcher; a wine connoisseur or chef; trendy or traditional, AHS has a lamp that suits your personality. 

Lamps tell something about you and your personality and will make great conversational pieces with your guests. Whether redecorating your room or changing your interests, a new “storytelling” lamp will be sure to brighten the room while highlighting your personality. AHS' unique lamp collections make it easy for you to find the lamp that matches you and your room's personality.

 

 For a new look that's quick and easy, simply changing the shade will give the  

 room a personality makeover as well.  

Either way, whether with a new lamp or a new shade, your personality will be sure to shine!

LISTEN to the sound of Lamp Sales!

Shhh.......Do you hear the sound of lamps selling?

You should, as 14 million dollars of lamps per day are sold at the retail level. Home Accents Today estimates the portable lamp business to be $5.2 billion in 2014. You heard me $5.2 billion. I know you are listening now!

The question is, are you getting your share of the pie? Lamp sales may not be sexy but they sure can generate sales and profits for your store. So, how do you sell more lamps to become a bigger factor in this multi-billion dollar industry? Here are some quick tips:

• MERCHANDISE: Use novelty and accent lamps to help merchandise your store vignettes. Our bird lamps work well in many retail environments from gift shops to garden stores
  

  
• ILLUMINATE: Use table and floor lamps to sell other merchandise by better illuminating particular areas and products.
• DUAL PURPOSE: Emphasize that lamps have a both a functional and decorative purpose, appealing to almost everyone due to their practicality and aesthetic appeal in homes and workplaces.
• GENERATION Y: Expand your reach by selling to Millenials. Show our selection of fun fashion-forward shades, such as the bold and whimsical chevron shade to help capture Generation Y buyers.
  

  

  
  
• TURN ON THE LIGHT! This might sound pretty basic but keeping your lamps lit will help increase sales. Always have a supply of bulbs on hand in case one burns out.
  

So, let's get going... stock more lamps, turn them on and LISTEN to the sound of increased sales while tasting a bigger piece of the $5.2 billion pie!!!

IT'S A SHADY BUSINESS!

Let's talk about the importance and impact of a proper lamp shade...

Technically, a lamp shade is a cover for a light fixture that affects how light is distributed throughout a room. How much light emits "out of the shade" is based on size and shape of the lamp shade, as well as type of materials used.

However, lamp shades are really so much more!  

Not only does the shade impact the lighting within a room, it also helps create the personality of both the lamp and the entire room.  There are standard guidelines for selecting the "proper" shade, such as shape of the base, decor of the room,  placement of the light fixture, along with the lamp's purpose.  Here are a few suggestions:

• The more basic the shape of the base, the more shade options you have.
• The shape of the shade should be the same as the lamp body. 
• The shade's bottom diameter should not be greater than the height of the lamp's body.
• The height of a table lamp shade should be approximately 65% to 80% of the base height, while the guideline for floor lamps is 47%. (Measure shade height along the slant.)
• Match lampshade colors to the lamp base color and the accent colors in your room.

Although, at the end of the day your customer needs to like it, if not love it, and AHS Lighting has two great ways to make sure that happens.

FIRST:   AHS LIGHTING'S MIX AND MATCH PROGRAM 

Finding lamps for so many different personalities is easy with AHS Lighting's Mix and Match Program.  A variety of fabrics from traditional to trendy are featured every year and include subtle texture like the Natural Burlap shade to colorful and impactful lamp shade designs that breaths life into a room, such as the Nautical Patchwork Drum Lamp Shade. AHS Lighting's selection of fashion forward fabrics allows for unlimited possibilities. Your customers will be excited to create their own lamp, while boosting your sales! 

SECOND:   C.O.M. PROGRAM (CUSTOMER'S OWN MATERIAL)

The possibilities are endless!  Did you know that your customer can use his or her  own fabric and trims to create a single one of a kind lamp shade, unique to their style, taste and personality?  This is a great selling feature and tool for that customer who has a specific design vision and wants to use her own fabric. 
Simply call AHS Customer Service for pricing and questions.  800-765-2474




 
So, even though the lighting business can be rather "shady", it also can be fun, creative and easy to make your customers happy!  AHS is here to help.

View our Flip Catalog - Click Here

Turn on Spring!

 After a long, cold winter your customers will be ready to brighten up their homes with a fresh new look. 

Now is the time to bring the feeling of spring into your store and showroom with new lamps, shades and sunny accessories! We like L2235OR-U2, L2237WH-U1, L1610-U1 and L2121CN-UP lamps from our Made in the USA and Animal collections.

Show your customers how they can bring the warmth and sunshine of spring into their homes with lamps at great price points and colorful options. Simply adding a new accent lamp will make a homeowner feel as though she has redecorated the entire room. It's the attention to the little things that do make a difference. Besides which, your customers want to be the first to have the latest home decor designs and lighting trends in their home. 

So bring on the sunshine by freshening up your showroom lighting choices while emphasizing what's new. You'll brighten up your customers while boosting your sales,  simply by turning on spring!