A new outlet

I was contacted about a month ago by Nola Aitkens from Entangle - living art asking would I be willing to supply some of my Artisan Lamps and leaves for a new shop-gallery she and her husband Dave were opening in a small rural centre called Dayboro.

I agreed to give it a go; and agreed to deliver a stash of lamps and leaves before opening day on 1 July. I had never met Nola but she had sold some stuff through Jo St Baker's studio-gallery in Redcliffe where I also sell Artisan Lamps - so I thought why not. Well I made the pieces and made the deadline - I managed to get 11 Artisan Lamps and 18 patinated copper leaves made by the 28 June and was ready to deliver by the agreed date 29 June.

On 28 June the stash of lamps sat on my work bench ready for packing into the car.

©2016 Barry Smith - A stash of Artisan Lamps ready to go to market

You can see I often design the length of my longer work to fit into the back of our car when the seats are folded down.

When I arrived at the new shop-gallery at Unit 6/ 38 William Street Dayboro (part of an old butter factory) there was still a lot to do but a team of four people felt confident they could get it all ready to open on the morning of 1 July.

©2016 Barry Smith - A new shop-gallery in the making - hope it goes well for them - the art-gallery business is hard these days - it will be a very quirky space.

The lamps were unpacked, were welcomed and placed amidst all the other bits and pieces that need to be organised. There are times when you just leave it up to the universe.

©2016 Barry Smith - Artisan Lamps on the shop's sale bench

Whilst I was there the owner of the building dropped into the shop and was so impressed with the lamps that he invited me to a back shed where he manufacturers bakelite light shades and other bakelite fittings using some very old but very impressive moulding and pressing equipment. He has agreed to sell me fittings at wholesale prices because I agreed to support Nola.

And of course this type of shed is just full of other cogs and other bits and pieces I can use. He has invited me back to go through the shed. He was impressed with the larger lamps and sold me a pair of lights from a vehicle of about 1945 vintage. He said he was impressed with the work I delivered and knew that I would make good use of his stuff. So good things can come out of taking a risk and supporting other folk.