What would be the best way to promote my custom lampshade business? Currently it has all been by referral and word of mouth from satisfied clients

I would go to small business's that sell lamps and ask to give a presentation or give a workshop to their customers. Good Luck let me know what you decide to do.

Word of mouth is the best advertisement there is.  But, bring a couple of shades by and let us take a look.  Perhaps we could market them for you if they fit our look!

Contact area interior designers and furniture stores including myself

Have you considered reaching out to interior designers? The Parade of Homes list may give you some good names to whom you can mail, email or send to your website or FB page.I's also contact those who sell lamps and antique/recycled lamps that often have ragged shades. Good luck!

I find social media Facebook & instagram are great marketing tools Also if you have local vendor fairs in your area - that is a great way to Promote yourself & your business info.. pass out your businesss cards & perhaps your  story keep it short & simple but I find people like a “ story “ behind a small business .. good luck ! I personally would be interested in what you do ! I have an old lamp that i would like to upcycle & have been looking for a new lampshade for it .. I’ve had no luck ! Do you have a website ? Or Facebook page yet ?

I do not know if this is your sole product or a new product in a line of exsisting home goods. if it is the latter of the 2, I would consult with your vendors that do exaisting sales of similar products, how they source these goods, and be descreet. But make sure you have defined what economic market you wish to sell these goods, and any and all delivery methods- retail, secialty retail, boutique  retail,and"or an online presence. well before this you are to or should develop a cross-channel marketing campagne, focused to your industry specific retailers, wholesalers (design marketplaces)  and of coarse the end consumer. the baseline for this, is to utilize the identification and awareness of your distinct competencies as pivot points in the sale of theae goods. What to they do that others dont. Are they more colorful, unique in design, fabric structure. are they made from the finest corenthian leather....lol. if they are only visually stunning go with it .i could write 3 more pages and give you a power point presentation in depth and detained ....but more costs money. i am not gonna help you sell a million units,  and get nothing for it. if you are serious and this isnt some bs excesize, email me personally [email address] 

I would take the list of your current/past customers emails and upload it to Facebook. This is a targeting option available to you. 

You can create an AD for your database. They will be the only ones who see the AD thanking them for being a customer and asking for a referral. 

Showcase an item that you can run a promotion on. 

Another thing you can do is create from that past customer list of yours....what is called a LOOK ALIKE AUDIENCE. 

Basically means that Facebook will use its' algorithm intelligence to find you OTHER people who closely match the profile/avatar of your past buyers. 

You can strategicallydesign an AD just for that group to be introduced to your products.  

Your best advertising is word of mouth from a satisfied client... I suggest that you create a website... and you create a discount coupon on line. I am not sure if you have a showroom? If you do get a sandwich board sign that you can place outside of your business that anyone walking buy0r driving buy can see. Print up business cards that you can drop off at local businesses. Have an open house event... You could expand into special lighting fixtures etc...  These are a few Ideas I wish you the best success

Write an article for the newspaper talking about your lampshades and what makes them unique.  Include pictures that feature the lampshades in the homes of satisfied customers.  Try to incorporate some quotes from customers explaining why the lampshades appealed to them or mentioning all the compliments they've received on them.  Many newspapers are happy to have an article provided for them so they just have to do some editing.

Hello Anita:

We would be interested in learning more about your lampshades for our customers.  Custom lampshades are very hard to find!  Please contact me at [email address].  Also, have you considered Etsy?  All Maury's suggestions are excellent.  You could create a really good sell - sheet (PDF showing some examples of what you offer), with well-lit photography and send it to lighting stores and any online sellers whose websites look interesting to you.

Hope that helps.  Rowena