Also does anyone know where I can find brackets for curtains that are also shelf holders? My mom bought some a few years ago from Country Curtains but they no longer have them. They look like a decorative L bracket with a hole for the curtain. I really want to have a shelf over my windows in the living room & am having a hard time finding anything that will work. It could help if I know what the term for it would be so I could search online easier.

Happy to help you here. It looks like you might enjoy some cellular shades or sheer shades.
I attached some photos below. As far as style goes, the sheer shades are nice because they allow a slight filtering of light when open, and when closed can be blackout. They also look very delicate on the windows. Cellular shades are also nice because they are built to hold in heat in the winter and keep the heat out in the summer. As far as purchasing blinds, window sizes are not created equal. Purchasing a ready made window shade might have its own issues because the shade might have gaps on the side if it is not exactly the right size. Buying custom is always recommended and depending on size of the window, might be a better choice.

Also thought that a very economical choice would be faux wood blinds: http://www.blindsgalore.com/WindowProduct.asp?id=702060

Happy shopping :)

http://www.blindsgalore.com/WindowProduct.asp?id=704704
http://www.blindsgalore.com/WindowProduct.asp?id=708020

Also, found these shelf bracket curtain rods:
http://vermontindustries.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=1208&gclid=CKDdyqT2o7sCFUQ6QgodkUAAEA&zenid=ukhgel8a3hg47v36ld4md40fq4

Those shelf brackets are very interesting. Not at all like what I had in mind but I kinda like them.