Thursday, March 8, 2012

A Tale of Two Sconces

When I hit the flea market last month, I missed out on a very cool gold faux tortoise shell sconce. Why? Because there was only one, and I thought that would just look sad - one lonely sconce. So, I passed. Now, I'm obsessing over finding a pair of tortoise shell sconces. Of course, I neglected to take a photo of the one I found. No worries,  I knew I had seen some somewhere. Then I found the image that was swirling around in my design-obsessed mind . . .

These are in Suzanne Kasler's living room. Yeah, probably a little out of my price range. Of course, they're not exactly the same, but you get the idea. So, then I started googling like mad, thinking surely I could find a tortoise shell sconce somewhere. Um, no. Tortoise shells on stands - yes. Tortoise shells on lamps - yes. Tortoise shell sconces - nada.

I did find a ton of tortoise shells just used as decor. So, I'll share photos of those with you so you'll have something to look at. Since I can't find any sconces, maybe I can just rig up some tortoise shells and turn them into sconces. Or maybe I should just forget the whole sconce idea and put some big gold tortoise shells on my wall. They don't have to light up. But it would be a whole lot cooler if they did.






Thoughts? Ideas? Should I just forget the tortoise shell sconces already and move on with my life?

10 comments:

Naomi@DesignManifest said...

Just like taxidermy and butterflies I don't like it. Freaks me out. I love the look of tortoise shell. (cole and son makes a cute wallpaper) but not for me. Don't let me stop your love, though!

Meghan said...

What about just finding a spot for the single sconce? Like Wendy Schwartz:
http://pinterest.com/pin/150589181260234298/

alison giese Interiors said...

Would you dare try to make one? You can find real turtle shells on websites that sell science items for kids - I'm not sure they'd be big enough, but you could check. Also, check Ebay for authentic shells for sale.
Then, just look for a sconce light kit. Check lamp-making sites, and again - Ebay.
Keep us posted!

Melissa Crochet said...

I hate when I don't get something and then obsess over it and beat myself up. City Farmhouse had 2 shells about a week ago. You might want to check it out.

Erin said...

Could you wire up two shells like sconces?

I have to say the shells themselves are not my favorite, although I also LOVE tortoiseshell. Your pinterest collection is the stuff dreams are made of.

Ashley said...

I agree with Allison...isn't this something that you could have made? I could certainly see a local artisan making something like this for you. Then, you'd have a pair that was yours and yours alone!

Kim@Chattafabulous said...

Hmm, that's a tough order. If it were me, I probably would go and buy the single sconce and try to work it into a little vignette, especially if you really love it!

SHERRY HART said...

Of course you can have one made....anything can be made into a light! Do it!!!

Julie of Monkey Grass Hill said...

Hi Kathy,
What if you buy the resin shells and then find something that is already a wired sconce at Home Depot or Lowes that you could glue the shells onto?

Julie

WyndnWatr said...

Most of the pics are of tortoise shells, that is, turtles that reside on land, in ponds, rivers and lakes. What most people think of when they hear "tortiose" shell is a Hawksbill or Green turtle that is pelagic, residing primarily in the open ocean and mates on shore. I am currently making the molds for 3 sconces, sm, med, and lrg, with one being very large-big enough to be a chandelier. I am glad to see there is interest out there in the product. Michael