I just relocated and left my lamp shades at home in Las Vegas. They’re not big..they fit on a standard side table lamp. My mother is coming to visit me in Portland.. Could she carry that on the plane and hold it on her lap?

The item will have to be able to fit either in the overhead compartment or in the space underneath the seat in front of then. They will not be allowed to hold onto something during takeoff and or landing.

You would have to put it in the overhead compartment

No, the only "thing" you can hold in your lap during take-off/landing is an infant. But she could put them in a box and check them like luggage, subject to size restrictions.

Thank you so much everyone :)