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I have a pretty small Ott lite, but I really love it. The lamp swivels, and if I could find the manual for it, I could probably even clip it to the table. I can't craft without it ! I got it at a Joanns sale for maybe $25 or $30.
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For lighting six feet you will need more than one lamp. If you do much paper piecing, such as the layers on Cricut cuts, I recommend a lighted magnifying lamp also. You can add a magnifying lense to an Ott lamp.
Honestly, the more light the better. I added can lights to my craft room (as it had ONE teeny tiny bulb in the middle of the room) and they're on a separate switch from the middle one (my idea). It makes a HUGE difference. I also have an Ott light if I need it. Plus, the can lights have natural light lightbulbs in them. So, the more light the better and it's a really helpful option to be able to turn off part of them if you need to.
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Will there be cabinets over the 6' counter (SOOO jealous!!)? If so you can put undermounted lights all along the bottom of the overhead cabinets. The more lights the better! I have a floor model Ott that is directed over my workspace...purchase w/ 50% sale or coupon at Joann's...but I'd like more lights.
I bought an Ott light lightbulb at JoAnn's with coupon to put in an existing desk lamp. Is there any additional benefit to having the actual Ott lamp fixture? Thanks.
I also have a 6 foot work area. I use an old swivel desk lamp from college days and found after much experimenting that by placing the lamp high and forward from my chair, I am able to get great lighting with the one lamp (100 watt bulb). I think the real trick is to make sure the lighting is high enough to cover the table area and that it is in front of you not behind you.
I bought (on sale) an Ott TruLite light that comes with a magnifier. Love it. It's repositionable, swivels and has a carrying handle. It's about 14" tall, so it's good for the immediate area, although, you can position the light higher and the light will spread out more. I like the direct light for right over what I am working on. If I need the magnifier, it just flips down.
I have several good overhead lighting units for general lighting but they are placed so that they are over my work surface, not behind me overhead, as to not create shadows on my work surface. Does that make sense?
Mom used a desk swivel light that unfolds out to about 3 feet and loved it as it can move with you, but it has to be a good bulb in it, like a day light or true spectrum bulb.
In my craft room I also have a 3,1/2' X 6' long craft table.
It sits in the middle of the room. I tried different lamps in different locations in the room and the best one that worked for me is one that my husband bought at home depot.
It hangs from the ceiling ( we bought hooks and chain )to desired hight. It looks like a garage light, it hooks on the wall outlet and is large/long enough to cover most of the table with day light.
It's 4' long and inexpensive. I don't remember the exact price but I believe it was around $20.00.
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I purchase a "daylight" lamp (can't remember the name...something like "lights of America???") I got it at Wal Mart for about 22.00...I like it WAY better than my two OTT lights.
I am VERY Limited on space so I have to open up a small table in the middle of my living room so i do not have the luxury of ANYTHING that has to be plugged in...so I do use my portable rechargeable Otts for this space...I have two of these light...One is plugged in being charged while I am using the other...that way when the charge dies I can still keep crafting.
Hope this helps,
Valerie
P.S. One nice thing about the plugged in Day light lamp from Wal Mart is that the power button is a touch button. You barley touch it and it turns on and off and the lamp nor the bulb get hot to the tough. YEA!!!
I have purchased both Ott and Verilux, and Ott is the only way to go. In spite of Verilux's claims, there is a huge glare. Ott lights are about as perfect and close to great daylight as there is! During the day, when working in my studio, I have large windows on the easy and north sides of the room, and also use my shelf-clip Ott and overhead light. I had installed a ceiling light that is semi-flush and uses 3 100 watt bulbs/whatever the curly bulb equivalent. A flush mount does not allow enough light to be reflected for an area to be usable - day or night. Also, the older you get, you will find the more light you require. I've seen the Otts with magnifiers, but have not purchased that yet. Hope this helps!
I have daylight light bulbs in the ceiling light fixture of my craft room, and an OTT lamp on my craft desk
Me, too! Works great - room is well-lit.
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Once again I'm going to be the odd person out on Ott lamps. I have purchased 3 ott lights with varying wattage. Each time I got a brighter light hoping it would get better. Now, I'm down to 1 ott light just for color matching if I need it.
I found that the ott lights were not bright enough, some casted a wicked shadow and I had to order the replacement bulbs online bcause I could not find them locally in a size I needed.
I'm back to the cheapo $12 clamp on light with a regular light bulb - nice and bright
I bought a $4 halogen lamp at Ikea that is my main light - super bright; It can be attached to the wall or desktop. It doesn't swivel side to side, just a little adjustment up and down. Ikea has a lot of style and super cheap.
1 Ott light for color matching
Also, I bought undercounter lights that light my counter top - they screew into the bottom of a shelf. These lights are ok - but I don't recommend them for your main lighting source.
I've spent a several hundred dollars trying out the ott lamps only to find that the cheapo $12 and $4 lights are my fav-- sheesh!
My dad put in can lights right above my work space, it made all the difference in the world! I also have a ceiling fan with a light, but the light isn't good. Then for task lighting, I have THIS Ottlite. I got it on sale for $20 (and I used the bling for my cards instead of sticking them on the lamp).
Between the can lights and my Ottlite I am set! I open my blinds during the day too, and that helps, but I can craft at night with perfect lighting.
Craft Lighting?
