Ashby Lighting has undergone a natural evolution in the ten years since we began.
From restoring beautiful antique lighting there was born a deep appreciation of the skilful Arts and Crafts Lighting designers. In antique lighting restoration, inevitably there can be small components missing from the original lamp. Luckily, Martin’s engineering skills enabled him to manufacture replacement parts in the workshop.
Fast forward a couple of years and we began designing and manufacturing our small, handcrafted range of lighting based on the designs of the British Arts and Crafts and Art Nouveau era.
We were so proud of our product that we made a conscious decision that our Ashby Collection of lighting would be 100% made in Britain. When we say something is British Made, now more than ever, it is synonymous with high quality and this reputation is known worldwide.
At this point, a fascinating journey began. An online purchase led us to a metal spinning company in the West Midlands. This was a great contact as the metal spinner is vital for manufacturing lighting galleries – the shade carrier for our hand blown vaseline glass pendant lights. The metal spinner introduced us to a metal laser cutting company nearby. A fellow antique lighting dealer shared a glass blowing contact in the East of England who produces exquisite hand blown glass shades for us. Networking like crazy and being the naturally friendly person Martin is, he had soon built a contact list of British suppliers, craftsmen and women manufacturing everything from bespoke screws, brass hooks and bulb holders to hand made silk lamp shades.
Whilst our inspiration continues to be original British Arts and Crafts lighting. We fully embrace where possible the latest technology. CAD design and 3D printing enables us to more easily transfer a photo or a sketch into a design. Metal laser cutting offers the very latest technology to transfer our designs onto brass and copper sheet.
Further down the production line, that piece will be formed and finished using equipment and tools up to 100 years old. We still use the same hand skills as the original Arts and Crafts period such as hand riveting and planishing and in doing so, hope that we are honouring the moto of the Birmingham Guild of Handicraft ‘by Hammer and Hand’. It’s the perfect blend of old and new that results in a stunning reinvention of WAS Benson lighting.
Living in the East Midlands is the perfect location for us to be able to visit our suppliers easily, wherever they are based. There is nothing that will beat a face to face meeting. To put a face to the name, see their craft first hand, chat over a cup of tea, learn about their journey and their skills. Building that trust and confidence without a doubt enhances your ability to work together on a lighting project. Suppliers often become friends, celebrating achievements and solving problems together
By championing each other in very much the same way as the early 20th century makers, it will naturally help our businesses thrive and thereby ensure the growth of British Craft Manufacturing.
If you would like to visit our lighting workshop in South Derbyshire. Please get in touch by email info@ashbylighting.co.uk or telephone 07525773614
