FARMINGTON, Minn. (WCCO) — A lot of us have old things just laying around. Things that are a piece of Americana, but that you just don’t know what to do with.
Well, one couple has a solution: Take those old pop machines and pump jacks and turn them into lamps and tables.
In this week’s Finding Minnesota, John Lauritsen takes us to Machine Age Lamps in Farmington, where iconic things from the past are now lighting up the future.
In the very back of Shawn and Lori Carling’s shop you’ll find a world of random things: Tractor gears, boat motors, old airplane parts and Jeep grills.
And there-in lies the beauty of what happens here. A place where one man’s trash truly becomes another man’s treasure.
“I remember people telling me you can’t make a living selling lamps. And I was like, ‘watch me,’” said Shawn.
After 25 years in the corporate world, Shawn left with the hope of breathing new life into forgotten things.
The first lamp he built was for his dad. He used a dash panel from an old Farmall tractor and it took forever. But it paid off.
“Built it into a lamp and gave it to him for Christmas. And it was a hit. Everybody loved it,” said Shawn.
He made two more and sold them right away. Then, word spread. Not just around the area, but across the country and even overseas.
“He was working in the garage at our house and he was there all hours. Early morning. Late night.
Article source: https://minnesota.cbslocal.com/2018/11/18/so-much-fun-farmington-couple-makes-lamps-out-of-iconic-antiques/