TIKISKIP : How to make tiki light, Lamp 101

The latest lights are cool (as usual). Nice to see you making them again!

[ Edited by: jimsflies 2019-10-30 12:11 ]

"I think Iv finally cracked the whole paining glass thing!"

You know I did those same things.
Trying to swim upstream, fighting city hall ect,, but in the end I found that I spent more money and time trying to make a wrong thing work when just waiting and finding the perfect thing was the way to go.

But I hope it works for you, one thing I did find was that some of the ways to color glass are not long lasting and start to peel ect.

And thanks jimsflies have a lot of light parts that I found over the years that I need to use.
You know as I look at the new lights coming out I can see that tiki bar lighting has gone from lights made from rattan and other things people find to a bigger production like you would find a Disney imagineer making.

They are cool don't get me wrong, but places like the old joints were focused on getting opened and did not have lots o cash to spend on tiki lights, in these bars you need LOTS of tiki lights.

The newer bigger production type lights must be in the 300 to 400 dollar range and the shipping on that would be kinda high.
But it can take a long time to make those and they would need to know months in advance to fill that big of an order you just don't go in and say two of those five of those and walk with the lights in hand.

At the old joints you would see a few of the production lights from Bensons and OA but then much of the stuff was made by the local people that they could find.
I was told once that the local art school helped with some of the Kahiki décor don't know if that's true or not.

Kahiki also had Bernie Altonbach and Corban Morgan who did that kind of thing for a living.
They also had a few guys that did nothing but repairs all day to keep that stuff working.

Definitely some cool stuff coming out these days.

I definitely know what you mean skip! It’s much easier to find true coloured glass! But sometimes it’s juts not that easy to find the perfect piece in the colour you want. Plus I like the challenge of up cycling something that would probably end up in the bin if I didn’t use it. I definitely like the older style lamps! Especially the fish trap type! Those are my favourite! I’m always on the lookout for new inspiration. Keep up the good work skip.

I definitely know what you mean skip! It’s much easier to find true coloured glass! But sometimes it’s juts not that easy to find the perfect piece in the colour you want. Plus I like the challenge of up cycling something that would probably end up in the bin if I didn’t use it. I definitely like the older style lamps! Especially the fish trap type! Those are my favourite! I’m always on the lookout for new inspiration. Keep up the good work skip.

Hey, thought I would post this here so you can go to this you tube show that has a tiki light how to make a light.

It's a cool light and a good how to so check it out.

Not my show, just thought it would help would be tiki light makers out there. Have no paid interest or a son working as a high paid consultant for this guy, no money or Diamonds changed hands FYI.

A Moment of Tiki Episode 45: Tapa Light

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nf_ZvGgJKhQ

[ Edited by tikiskip on 2022-08-05 03:16:42 ]

Ok so we had good o'l Mike and Marie over to swim, eat, make lights they are some of our favorite TC people we know.

Did not take as many photos as I should have but here are a few.

Showed Mike how to tie his new 16-inch float, damn I have not even tied a float that big yet but hope to get some numbers on how to tie one after he ties this one. When ya tie these things ya tie a float then see what is right then see what is wrong and adjust till it's just right.

Mike also had me help on his two torch lights we retro fitted with flicker flame bulbs.

They look great and match some lights we have at this time. Mike needs to add a base and will post photos when they are done and in his bar.

Here are the pics, Mike took more but he can't tell anybody how all this is done till I die so some pics may be top secret.

Do want to teach somebody how to do some of the things I have learned over the years.

8/31/22

Sounds like a great time. Wish I had access to that top secret info! Maybe one day. Haha

Funny you say that I told Mike about your tread here and he said he would check it out, but I also told him that if I showed you how to tie floats like I had just showed him you would be beating me in less than a year.

Wish you did live nearby as we could make lights together.

I did long ago show one person how to tie floats and asked him not to tell anyone he was in a tiki group and that group with him teaching did a seminar at one of their events on how to tie floats right after I showed him.

Plus, a girl he knows well now sells more float lights than I do, I don't think she ties them the same way I do though to be honest.

So, all that killed me wanting to do as many how tos.

You know I was supposed to do an article in the new Tiki Mag on how to tie floats but it never happened kinda think the guy that worked for Amy was not so fond of me at that time is my best guess.

Ok so we had good o'l Mike and Marie over to swim, eat, make lights they are some of our favorite TC people we know.

Fantastic time in a lovely oasis with people who are real Ohana.

We're working on the 16-inch float. Love that the first one I'm tying is a big one!

Do want to teach somebody how to do some of the things I have learned over the years.

Trying to learn all I can from the best of the best.

Haven't had this much fun learning tiki since LeRoy took me back to his workshop just before covid.

Hey, loose lips sinks ships. We are always willing to travel. I appreciate the kind words!

Hey, let me know if you come to Columbus and we can meet up.

Heck, I think you guys could teach us some stuff.

Don't stop making stuff. Much of the "old cool" stuff at antique shows is homemade by people just like you two.

AND be sure to put your name on your works, sign yer stuff always.

Skip, missed this post. It’s been a busy couple of weeks! I will certainly look you up if I’m in the area. I appreciate the advice too. Thanks!!

Now bending rattan on?

Facebook.

Facebook? I don't know her. 😉