How to make a mini lampshade: Determine the desired diameter of the top opening, diameter of the bottom opening, and height of the shade. Find or make 2 wire rings, one for the top opening and the other for the bottom opening. Measure carefully.

On paper that is not going to be the lampshade, make a diagram (If only I could draw on the darned computer!) as follows: Make an inverted "T", i.e., horizontal line with perpendicular vertical line going up from the center point.

Mark the intersecting point"A." Measuring from that point going up the vertical, mark the height of the shade as "B." (The vertical will need to be higher than that point, so if it's not, elongate it.)
Mark the width of the bottom opening on the horizontal line, with A as the exact mid-point. The outer points will be "C" on the left and "D" on the right.

At point B, and using B as the mid-point, mark the width of the top opening with points "E" on the left and "F" on the right. This will be parallel to the bottom horizontal.
Connect C and E, continuing that line until it meets the center vertical, and then do the same with D and F. The point on the vertical where they meet will be point "G."

Cut a strip of cardstock (index card works well) about 1/4" wide x 3" long, depending on the height and size of your shade. Down the center of the strip, mark three points to correspond with points G, E, and C (or G, F and D -- same diff). Put a decent-sized pin hole (large enough to accommodate a sharp pencil point) at points C and E.
Pin the paper you will be using for the shade to a piece of cardboard, cork board, or other surface to which the paper can be pinned.

Put a straight pin through point G on the strip, and pin it to the lampshade paper. With a sharp pencil point in point E on the strip, and carefully keeping the strip attached to the paper and board at point G, draw a large arc. Make a complete circle if you wish; you can always trip later.
With the same sharp pencil (or a different one -- knock yourself out!) in point C on the strip, make another large arc or circle. BINGO! You now have the correct shape to cut out.
To determine the length of the paper, measure the circumference of the two openings, and then measure out the same distances on the respective arcs, keeping the beginning and ending points of each arc in line with good old point G. Don't cut on these lines, though; leave a bit(1/4"-ish) to overlap and glue.

Glue ends together to get your conical shape. Using thin strips of tape -- and a lot of patience -- tape the metal rings to the openings.

Rosemary