FashFood

Artist sees light others might not

I first wrote about Jacqui Van Ham on June 22 but here’s an update on this talented artist who creates lighting fixtures from Mason jars and bourbon bottles:

Louisville artist Jacqui Van Ham has been re-purposing materials for about a year, taking items such as vintage Mason jars to create cool pendant light fixtures, sconces, soap dispensers and more with an industrial/farmhouse look.

“I grew up in a canning ­household and immediately was drawn to the ­Mason jars as an everyday utility ­object,” she wrote in an email. Her first customer was The Silver Dollar ­restaurant in Louisville.“My first ‘customer’ was the restaurant here in Louisville, The Silver Dollar. … “One of the owners was looking for a unique soap-dispensersolution, … and the business took off from there.”

After a trip to the Maker’s Mark ­distillery in Loretto, Van Ham was inspired to work with its distinctively shaped bottles to fashion a fabulous chandelier (above). Her design features tiers of ­unadorned bourbon bottles minus the paper labels hanging from an ­impressive base of metal and wood, a unique ­fixture that would dress up any room. The chandelier, listed for $800 at her Etsy store, is already in negotiation to be sold.

Van Ham says she’s currently ­building lighting for Louisville’s ­Forecastle ­Festival, July 13 to 15, and putting together a Four Roses ­chandelier for the Bourbon Sponsor Tent there; it will be available for purchase. Also in the works: motor/automotive/industrial-based fixtures. She also offers custom work.

You’ll find a selection of Van Ham’s work including single-drop Mason jar chandeliers, $40, and wall sconces, $50, at Etsy.com.shop/vanvintagedesign and Facebook.com/VanVintageDesign.

Add comment July 2nd, 2012