Katie Lavy "Lighting Pioneer" Retires

Katie Lavy learned the tinsmith trade while working for other handcrafters. Then in 1983 when her current employer moved his business out of the area, Katie began hammering out tin lanterns in her garage and Katie’s Light House was born.

In the early years Katie focused mainly on punched tin sconces and fixtures. With the passing of time management of the company would be transferred to Katie’s son Rich and his wife Tracey. Rich’s background as an engineer would have an immediate impact.

Handcrafting processes and new products were developed, including table lamps and wood chandeliers. These product lines would soon become favorites with dealers across the United States and Canada. Not to mention some products making it onto movie sets.

During its hay day Katie's Light House would grow to employ more than 20 handcrafters in the small town of Cridersville, Ohio. If one were to walk through the shop, you could find Katie at a soldering booth with a stack of Danbury Outdoor Lanterns or Washington Chandeliers beside her. 

The passing of time brings changes, and in 2015 Katie's Light House was purchased by The Martin family. Katie remained on staff in the role of tinsmith assuring the product would remain consistent throughout the transition. 

In December of 2021 at 86 years of age, Katie announced her retirement after a 38-year career that began as an entrepreneur of sorts and ended with her handiwork illuminating thousands of homes across The United States, Canada, and beyond. 

Our hats are off to the woman who we will always remember as a Colonial Lighting Pioneer. Blazing a trail, making a way, daring to take the risk in starting a business. Because of you thousands of homes in America are lilluminated with heirloom quality fixtures, WELL DONE Katie Lavy!

As a gesture of thanks to those who have purchased Katie’s products over the years, Katie’s Handcrafted Lighting has obtained Katie’s consent to hand sign 25 of the last fixtures she made.

This Signature Series will be limited to 25 fixtures that contain Katie’s personal handcrafting and signature, as well as be hand numbered. No 2 fixtures will be alike. If you purchase a particular model and color in this numbered series, it will be the only one in that model and color. Allowing you to have the ONLY Signature Series fixture like it.

The first of these fixtures will be available for sale in North Canton, Ohio in the fall of 2022. Visit “A Gathering of Colonial Wares” on September 23-24, 2022 at Pine Cone Gift Shoppe, 101 S Main St, North Canton, OH 44720 to purchase the first releases in this series.

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