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December 19, 2008
Celebrate past with history
New chanukiyot are created out of old engineering works.
BAILA LAZARUS
In this day of everything sustainable, it was only a matter of time before chanukiyot joined the fray as the latest in green products. The only question was how was it going to be accomplished.
Ross Macmillan has answered this question with a line of Chanukah candelabras made from pieces of industrial artifacts taken from an old family business, Progressive Engineering Works Ltd., once run by his grandfather and later his mother. The company, which thrived during Vancouver's industrial age, went out of business about a decade ago.
The company provided machine parts for the metal industry all over the Lower Mainland. Wooden pieces were carved in the shape of the part, then used to make a mould into which the metal was poured. These wooden "masters" were then stored or discarded. Macmillan grew up around this material. They date back to the early and mid part of the last century.
"I thought this was just a big Lego set," he said, recalling what it was like to walk around the pattern loft.
When the company closed, Macmillan thought it was a shame to get rid of these pieces that had so much history to them and he started designing furniture. That has turned into his business – Industrial Artifacts – which is gaining a large following due to the sustainable nature of the products and the history that comes with each one.
Recently, Macmillan turned his attention to Jewish artifacts and has designed a series of chanukiyot.
"Growing up, one of my best friends was Jewish and I got to learn a lot about the culture and about the significance of the menorah and the miracle of the lights that burned for eight days," he said. "I always thought it was a very positive universal story of faith which could benefit all."
In the past, most of the menorot Macmillan has made have been custom designs for Jewish clients, or for someone wanting to give a special gift to a Jewish friend. Now, he is retailing them in Vancouver and North Vancouver.
"We have literally thousands of fantastic artifacts – mostly beautiful wooden foundry patterns recycled from various sources and used to cast metal machine parts for various industries such as shipbuilding, mining, mills, waterworks and many others – in our warehouse which can be transformed into an endless number of designs for menorahs," he said.
Clients can make appointments to visit the warehouse and e-mail parameters for the style of menorah they would like to have and Industrial Artifacts can e-mail back pictures of some of the design possibilities.
Although not every bit of material used in Macmillan's designs is taken from his family's old business, Industrial Artifacts uses approximately 90 to 95 per cent recycled materials in most of its designs and includes a "First Life" story card with each product.
Finished chanukiyot and other decor products by Macmillan can be purchased at the Industrial Artifacts showroom (by appointment), located at 132 Powell St. in Vancouver, at the Wood Co-op on Granville Island and at M Store in the Village at Park Royal in West Vancouver. Phone 604-874-7797 or visit www.industrialartifacts.com for more information.
Baila Lazarus is a freelance writer, editor and photographer living in Vancouver.
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