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PHOENIX, AZ (3TV / CBS 5) – Once the Black Friday craze is over, small businesses are hoping you'll save them some of your holiday shopping.
This Saturday (November 24th) is Saturday's small business. A local craftsman is hoping his work will encourage people to shop outside big box stores.
In the bedroom at the back of his Phoenix home, Patrick O'Brien is working on his next brilliant idea. O'Brien builds lamps, re-illuminates what was once, to turn it into something you can use again.
A trained motorcycle mechanic, O'Brien ended up being laid off last summer.
That's when the light was turned on. "Out of necessity and just to not do what I wanted, I started building lamps," he said.
He started with antique accordion cameras.
"I had seen one and I thought" the man would create a really cool lamp, "O'Brien said.
To each of them, he adds a modern Edison light bulb, the necessary wiring and electronic components allowing him to touch the lamps.
"I want something that has character."
But starting a new business would not be so easy.
"I used my last savings of $ 2,800 and made 16 lamps with that money. And for the first two months, I did not sell anything, "O'Brien said.
Not ready to cut the current of his new profession, he installs a stand at the market of the first Fridays in Phoenix.
"I went there and in two and a half hours, I sold 14 lamps. There were two of me left. And I thought, "Oh my God, I guess I can do that," he said.
His business enlightened from there. A year later, he sold more than 450 lamps. He calls the company "Reilluminated". It's now his full-time job.
"Every month, I try to do something different," O'Brien said.
Today, it was about converting an old coffee grinder for a customer. He also converted an old Tonka truck, a rubber machine and several horns.
O'Brien sells through his website and has an active Instagram and Facebook page, but still realizes his best sales at local craft fairs and markets.
"I explain it and show them that it's touching and that his mind is blowing away," he said.
He is grateful to buyers wanting to invest in a local craftsman like him.
"When you can buy local products, you support that person, his family and the local economy.
If you want to visit some small businesses tomorrow, there are several events and markets around the city to help introduce you to local store owners.
Phoenix Flea organizes its autumn fair from 10am to 5pm. at Heritage Square & Science Park in downtown Phoenix (113 N 6th St) with 175 vendors.
There is also the Portland Park Block Party, W. Portland Street, Phoenix, starting at 2pm. at 5 pm, which will include a treasure hunt to allow clients to interact and connect with businesses.
In downtown Mesa, several small businesses will offer promotions and gifts.
And from 9am to 1pm you can visit the Gilbert Art Walk at the Water Tower Plaza, 45 West Ave Gilbert Ave, AZ 85234 in downtown Gilbert
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