Every artist or craftsman dreams of having a client who becomes a patron and promoter. I found mine when Barbara Weaver discovered my cigar box lamps. She instantly ordered one for her husband’s birthday. Then a few days later, she ordered one for herself. Every couple of weeks since then she’s bought a few more and as of the beginning of November, the majority of her holiday shopping is done and her nearest and dearest will soon come to own one for themselves. Get to know a little about Barbara and her fascination with the Cigar Box Edison Lamps in this question and answer interview. BV: Describe your decorating style. BW: I like anything that serves dual purposes, like an ottoman with storage, or a chaise lounge that is wide and comfortable enough to serve as a single-guest bed. These Bon Vivant lamps are not just decorative, choose the right size box and you can store the TV remote control or something more precious inside. BV: What is it about the Cigar Box Edison Lamps that are so appealing to you? BW: It has the look of nostalgia, and it's very versatile for both men and women. Choose the right color of the cigar box and you'll have a 'handsome' looking lamp piece for the guy on your list. Same again on the selection of the cigar box, plus the soft ambiance glow from the Edison bulb makes the lamp 'feminine' for the gal on your list. BV: You are purchasing them as gifts for Christmas? Why do you think they make great gifts? BW: These lamps are unique and no two are alike. Each cigar box has its own artwork and coloring, and as with the recipients on our Christmas list, there's a variation in personality. BV: There are a few you've purchased for yourself. Where do you use yours? BW: Mine is in my office. I love showing it off! I turn the lamp on during the afternoon hours as the sun goes down and I can tell my colleagues see the lamp when they walk by my office. My husband has his to store the TV remote controls—guess whose idea that was? Weaver is a kind, funny and supportive friend who we’ve gotten to know well over the past year. She and her husband David live on the Northshore with their Cairn Terrier named Simon who'll be celebrating his third birthday in November.
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Our friends Kathy and Nelson were set to get married in a beautiful outdoor wedding at a venue at the foot of the Mississippi River levee with live oaks, strand lights at sunset on October 7. Picture perfect was an understatement. As the weekend finally approached, family had convened in New Orleans from near and far, Hurricane Nate reared its eye and appeared to be headed for the New Orleans. On Friday, Mayor Mitch Landrieu in an overabundance of caution called a mandatory citywide curfew for 6 p.m. Saturday night just minutes before their ceremony was to start. As if weddings aren’t laborious enough, having to move everything—caterer, florist, cake delivery, makeup artists, hair stylists, car services, etc.—up three hours, communicating with guests the time change was also a task. With all this though, the couple remained calm and rolled with the punches. Having lived in Louisiana long enough to know, if you hate the weather, wait five minutes, Nate made a turn, the weather ended up to be beautiful, and the curfew was lifted just 90 minutes after it took effect. With my wife’s profession, we weren’t able to make it as she was engrossed in the Nate activities and we didn’t make the wedding. We met for happy hour two weeks later to give them their wedding present made especially for them and one-of-a-kind—a white cigar box with two Edison bulbs to light up their nights from now until forever. “Our beautiful lamp is a perfect fit for brightening up our bar top,” said Kathy. “The bulbs cast a lovely light and the dimmer is a brilliant extra (lagniappe, perhaps). We are delighted to have received such a thoughtful, useful and gorgeous gift, and can’t wait to show it off!” Cigar boxes have some complex, beautiful designs and New Orleans area graphic designer Brian Rome has a certain appreciation for composition, color and fonts. Actually, Bon Vivant founder Drue Deshotels selected Rome to design the logo which has gotten numerous compliments since the launch. “The combination of the cigar box and the antique style light fixture beckons nostalgia,” said Rome. “At first, I didn’t know where it would live in our house, but I set it down on my nightstand and that’s where it’s been ever since.” Rome’s wife thought it was a clever way to upcycle. Although his lamp is more masculine than her taste, she finds it fits in with their master bedroom décor handsomely. “I showed a few of my good friends my lamp and they all thought it was sharp looking lamp,” Rome added. “I would recommend this for anyone getting married as they’d make awesome groomsmen gifts. In addition to his full time work as a graphic designer, Rome is also a woodworker and painter in New Orleans. Visit his Facebook page here. He and his wife Ashley just celebrated their second wedding anniversary and have a house in Metairie. If I should ever, God forbid, need a defense attorney, I’m calling Lindsey Williams. If he’s half as committed to his clients as he is to his wife and four sons, then he’ll be my first call. To hear of his courtroom performance, he’s an advocate, informative, authoritative, compelling and passionate. He’s friendly and personable and hanging out with him and his wife is a whole lot of fun. Back in August, I exhibited the lamps at the Louisiana Restaurant EXPO at the Convention Center and Williams came by a few times to visit. He had his eye on one of the cigar box lamps and shortly after the EXPO, we closed the deal for his law office. “I’ve received numerous comments about my lamp,” said Williams. “I intend to buy an attorney friend a lamp as a Christmas gift because he’s complimented me on the uniqueness and beauty of the lamp on more than one occasion.” He adds, “It’s functional and a conversation piece.” |
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