Comments on: Need Advice on a Studio Light Source

By: Ani

Ani — Thu, 27 Dec 2012 05:19:16 +0000

I have learned so much about lighting in my studio from your comments and from looking around and quizzing fellow crafters. I had forgotten that I own a pair of flip up clip-on magnifier glasses that I will try. Thank you Cheryl! I received a clamp on,swing arm, V-Light with magnifier from my husband for Christmas and it seems to work well. I will also use two lamps to eliminate shadows the other is a smaller ott-light. You all have been very helpful. Thankyou!

By: Cheryl Feyen

Cheryl Feyen — Fri, 14 Dec 2012 09:55:55 +0000

I found the magnifier lamp gets very hot. Instead I like the magnifier glasses that sit on your head and flip up and down work very well for me. I wear glasses and they fit nicely over the glasses. When not in use I just flip them up. I’ve been known to walk around the house for hours with them on my head – forgetting they were there. I use two lamps with daylight bulbs to light up my work space. With two lights, I eliminate shadows and the daylight bulbs let me see the true colors of my work.

By: Gina

Gina — Wed, 12 Dec 2012 03:21:46 +0000

I bought a Tensor brand swing arm lamp at Staples for $60. It has a circle fluorescent bulb around a 5 inch magnifying glass and clamps to the desk. I also use it as my light source when taking pictures of my work.

By: Robin

Robin — Wed, 12 Dec 2012 03:07:13 +0000

I found a great Ott Lamp on ebay, brand new, in a sealed box. The price was cheaper than it would have been at Michaels with their 40% off coupon. Aside from helping you to see details, the colors with an Ott Lamp are true.

By: Rain

Rain — Wed, 12 Dec 2012 02:22:59 +0000

I got my Ott Lights at Michael’s during one of their sales. They were very reasonable – maybe $60 for two lamps (one a smaller battery-powered one) and a replacement bulb. Actually, I think Michael’s has them at 50% this week. You should go check it out!

I’ve seen lamps that have ring-shaped bulbs and a magnifying glass in the center. I can’t remember the brand, but they shouldn’t be too hard to find online.

By: Lynn Schmitt

Lynn Schmitt — Tue, 11 Dec 2012 23:25:55 +0000

For even light, I use two lamps with daylight flourescent bulbs – one on each side of my work area. For magnification I wear an optivisor. You can get one at many jewelry supply sites including Rio Grande – riogrande.com/Product/Donegan-Optivisors/113199?pos=1

By: Kathi Ader

Kathi Ader — Tue, 11 Dec 2012 23:21:53 +0000

If you have a Joann Fabrics near you, watch for their sales. They often have their ott lights 50 percent off.

By: Sheila Davis

Sheila Davis — Tue, 11 Dec 2012 17:44:21 +0000

Rio Grande makes several good ones. That’s where I got mine.
riogrande.com/Category/Tools-and-Equipment/120/Lamps-Lighting-and-Photography/322

By: Ani

Ani — Fri, 07 Dec 2012 08:33:06 +0000

Thank you for your sage advice. I tto need more than one lamp to avoid shadows on my work. I am looking at many lamps to see what will work best and remembering the good tips you gals gave me. Thank you!

By: Pam Sani

Pam Sani — Wed, 28 Nov 2012 23:16:15 +0000

If you want to have great lighting without spending so much on the name-brand craft lights, just buy any desk lamp which will accept compact florescent light bulbs. Get the bulbs which are labeled 6500 K Daylight. Several companies make them now and these bulbs give a true daylight full-spectrum bright light. They run about $7 a bulb at the major hardware stores. Add a magnifier of your choice.

By: Maria Hansford

Maria Hansford — Wed, 28 Nov 2012 17:28:38 +0000

I got a new gadget from tophatter auction: Light Up 20X Magnifier LED Light Glass Loupe
It is very helpful.

By: Sarah S

Sarah S — Wed, 28 Nov 2012 15:43:23 +0000

Ott lights are what you are looking for. Pricy, but TOTALLY worth it. http://www.amazon.com/OttLite-OTL13MAG-Swivel-Flip-Down-Magnifier/dp/B001888W1W/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1354117326&sr=8-1&keywords=ott+light+magnifier

By: diane pierce

diane pierce — Wed, 28 Nov 2012 15:10:36 +0000

Back when i was in the military, we used round flourescent lamps with a big magnifying glass in the middle. These were used in conjunction with a circuit board clamp, when soldering or repairing circuit boards. I’ve seen something similar with a pair of aligator clamps attached for holding your project. I’m sure these things can be purchased online, perhaps as surplus or as new items. Flourescent lamps are bright, but flicker tends to bother some people. Incandescent lamps offer a more steady, less a source of headache, light source. Getting an incandescent lamp or series of lamps into a magnifying fixture may be a problem. You may want to use an articulating magnifying arm in conjunction with a hooded incandescent lamp. At home, i use several lights, including a hooded lamp at my desk to eliminate shadows without shining directly into my eyes.