Vintage cameras see new light as lamps at Rosie's Workshop in Ross Park Mall

Vintage cameras are seeing new light inside Rosie’s Workshop at Ross Park Mall.

Owners Jen and Blair Koss find old cameras and turn them into functional pieces of art that can light up a room with the flip of a switch.

The couple buys cameras and other materials and manufactures each into a one-of-a kind lamp. They also repurpose musical instruments that are damaged returns or factory rejects into lamps and tables.

“We carefully design each piece to start a conversation and celebrate your passions, your achievements, your story, your creativity.” said Jen Koss.

The name was inspired by family members — real Rosie the Riveters — who worked in factories during World War II. Jen Koss’ great-grandmother, Rosie, and Blair Koss’ grandmother, Mary, and her sister Frances taught the youngsters the importance of learning to make things on their own.

“We find their story compelling and work to honor that generation of heroes by sourcing and manufacturing in the U.S. as much as possible,” Blair Koss said. “Our grandmothers told us if they could build a World War II bomber, then we could construct our own treehouse.”

They describe their design aesthetic as “a mix of post-war industrial and mid-century modern.”

The vintage cameras and projectors use vintage-inspired fabric cords and hand-spun Edison light bulbs.

They say each item they make has a unique backstory and they include that tale with the purchase. For example, the Kodak Brownie Six-20 was a fun, versatile box camera that had two viewfinders and used 620 film. It was first made in 1900.

“Who can resist the type of movie camera Steven Spielberg learned to film on when he was a teenager and made his first movies?” Blair Koss said.

Because their products are one-of-a-kind, you won’t find any Black Friday sales or Small Business Saturday discounts this weekend in this store.

“We work hard to design and create great products and offer them at a fair price,” Jen Koss said. “They always sell out. We’re artists and small-batch manufacturers. We’ve been told to raise our prices and then discount. We refuse because that would mean our customers would pay different prices and that doesn’t make sense.”

The couple lives in Downtown Pittsburgh and also has a home in Chautauqua, N.Y. They began the business three years ago by setting up at various fine art and home décor shows and discovered many Pittsburgh customers at a pop-up shop in Westfield, N.Y., and at the Pittsburgh Home & Garden Show.

“People in Pittsburgh get the concept,” Blair Koss said. “There is a strong arts culture here.”

They’ve teamed with Animal Friends, who will be at the store gift-wrapping any mall purchases Friday, Saturday and Sunday until Christmas. There will be kittens in the store.

Both left other careers for this business, including work as management consultants. Jen Koss said the idea came when she saw interior designs that lacked a room in the house that was more playful.

“I love walking into a room in a house where you can see a family’s interest,” she said. “I suggest that you pick one room where everyone in the family can have a say in what goes into the room. That’s where products like ours come in.”

They strive to make a durable product using long-lasting bulbs and quality hardware and decorative lamp shades from J. Harris Lampshades in the Strip District.

The store opened in July.

“Being an entrepreneur is tougher than you think,” Jen Koss said. “We started out small because we wanted to see if we had something. We believe we do. I want when you buy an item if that item moves you.”

They encourage shoppers to take photos and share on social media. The two do a podcast, “Will They Make It?”, where they share real-life challenges of business ownership.

“There are models that will sell out,” Blair Koss said. “The John Glenn space camera light and the Marilyn Monroe camera light will probably not be available long. Inventory is tight when everything is vintage and made by hand.”