Sparrows Landing

Naki Nik Naks 0007 – Sparrows Landing –  February 2026

Following on from what we considered the success of Falling in Reverse as a lamp, we decided to make a matching set of lamps for the two bedside tables, Genesis & Phoenix, we had reimagined and refurbished. This time we opted for more of a country style and theme.

We purchased this along with another industrial Singer machine from a farmer in Taranaki. It had sat untouched in a barn on the farm for decades. Originally the model 201K sewing machine, serial EA858329, was 1 of 20,000 made at the Singer Kilbowie Clydebank Scotland factory (1884 -1980) in 1935. The machine was significantly damaged with a lot of corrosion and possibly decades of dirt.

The Singer Model 201K is a highly regarded vintage sewing machine often referred to as the "Rolls Royce" of sewing machines and known for its exceptional build quality, quiet operation, and ability to sew both delicate fabrics and heavy materials like leather and denim.

The shade was another trademe deal. A 1950's Spanish manufactures ceiling fixture made from brass and cut glass. The whole unit weighed in a just under 4kg and was designed to be installed the opposite way we intended to use – so a few modifications were needed. The brass hadnt had a clean since who knew when and the glass had a few challenges to be met in cleaning!

Like we did with Falling in Reverse, the machine faced a total strip down of everything to the smallest possible components. The hardest part was removing the cam (shaft running the length of the body internally) – thankfully Dr Google provided all the answers there.

The cast work we attacked with scrapers, metal brushes and soapy water before applying coats of CRC rust converter and primer, the existing decals and art work really were not salvageable sadly. Once back to metal it was a coat or three of black matt spray enamel covered with a few coats of clear acrylic once the decals and art work were applied. And the chrome parts restored to shiny by rubbing with scrunched up tin foil and white vinegar.

The shade needed stripping with the brass requiring scrubbing with a brass wire brush, then brasso. I had to modify the attachments as we intended to mount the unit inversely to how to was designed for use. Quick order off TEMU and we had the threaded hollow tube and short fixtures to  mount the shade on the main body of the lamp.

Wiring is soldered into place with heat shrink coverings, an earth strap attached to the body of the machine and electrically tested before use.

A lamp that exceeded our expectations of design, matched the decor of the bedside tables we had made, and another functional piece of art.

Name: Sparrows Landing

Catalogue Number: 0007

Date of completion: February 2026