Hi, I’m Jay, the maker behind Retro Steam Works’ upcycled lighting creations. I create one of a kind repurposed lamps using reclaimed materials.
I live in sunny Southwest Florida with my kids, multiple reptiles, a tarantula, a cat and two dogs.
Retro Steam Works is a one man operation; I am the designer, maker, mover and shaker.
I obtain my materials from various sources, such as; estate sales, flea markets and recycle centers.
Retro Steam Works started as a combination of factors. One, my company downsized and had to let me go, two, I have always been a fan of vintage things, and discarded artifacts.
I thought what if I tinker with them to see what turns out of it and voila, here I am, creating things and enjoying while doing it.
I like to use worn out materials as much as possible. I love the idea of creating something out of a piece that has history; vintage and rusty stuff really catches my eye.
The process I use to create my pieces may sound simple, but to me, a person with a mild case of ADD and OCD is sometimes difficult.
The creative process usually starts with some research for inspiration, but what really ignites the process is when I lay out some of my materials and do a hand-on-material sketch. When I am happy with the result, I make a list of what I might need to complete the assembly and start to work.
Sometimes I sketch on paper, but that usually is time consuming and often frustrating, because some of the materials may not be readily available, thus I end up walking up and down my shop looking for available materials I can use.
Once the materials are gathered, they are cleaned thoroughly without altering the patina so hard earned. Then I look for the right design which must be durable and useful. When I’m satisfied with the design, I proceed to assemble, then the wiring and testing.
Craftsmanship is of utmost importance to me, thus I like to double check everything. I know that every item that leaves my studio represents the company, so the details really matter. Since the customer satisfaction is entirely in my hands, I strive for a high level of integrity in my work.
Some of my creations have been featured on: http://www.weupcycle.com, http://www.recyclart.org, http://www.upcycledzine.com and http://www.creativespotting.com/ to name a few.
Thank you for reading and I hope to see you back soon!
Source: etsy.com