In the olden days they used to paint the insides of glass lamp bases to give the clear glass a different color. The glass you are describing sounds a little like satin glass and should take paint well. If you can not take the lamp apart to spray the glass in the inside you might try an acrilic craft paint. I would be concerned if the glass gets really hot on your lamp. Not sure if acrilic can take much heat or how much heat it can take.

There are glass paints you can get at craft stores. Not sure of a brand name.

I would paint the inside though and then you would still have the soft look of your glass.

Chris

Chris is right, Use the glass paint several brands are available. I've used the Folk art brand on my chandelier to do what you describe. To avoid brush strokes I blotted or punched it on like a stenciling method. Do it on the inside of the shade and follow the baking instructions.

Thank both of you for replying. I would have never thought of the inside, but that's an excellent idea. I am able to take the lamp apart.
A couple of questions:
1. Spray paint:
Is this a special paint for glass?
Will it take the heat of the lamp?
2. Folk Art Paint:
Blotting is an excellent idea. I am assuming that means you take a cotton cloth? and dip it in the paint and blot it in? I don't know what 'punched it on like a stenciling method' means.
Can I buy this paint at Hobby Lobby?
As you can see, I haven't a clue what I am doing. My mom china painted. She used oil based paint and sometimes 'blotted' on the paint onto the china. She used silk to do this blotting. Should I use silk also? She also used a 'kiln' to 'bake' the paint onto the china. BTW, she did beautiful work. She has alzhiemers now.
Painting china totally overwhelmed me. Sorry, I strayed off topic.
Thanks again for your advice and suggestions.

Eden, I'm sorry to hear about your mom. She must have done beautiful work!

You can use a sea sponge or a round flat stenciling brush, but the key to both of these is to actually remove most of the paint on a towel 1st. then it's just tapping the paint onto the surface and repeat the method of blotting off the paint each time you reload the brush or sponge.. Hobby lobby probably offers alot of brands, Folk art is one of the cheaper types. You bake it in the oven and then let it cool completly in the oven. You'll be fine, give us an update when you do it! good luck

I can't help myself - have you thought about mosaicing it w/glass? HAZIE, I THINK, mosaiced her d.r. chandelier w/amber glass and it's BEAUTIFUL.

LOL Slow! LOL

smacking my head! WHY DIDN'T I THINK OF THAT??? LOL