Headlines
Vermont sugarmaker re-purposing old sap buckets and looking for more
Old buckets made into lamps are selling like hotcakes
By PAUL POST | OCTOBER 15, 2021
Mt. HOLLY, Vt.—Sugarmaker Adam Karle is preserving a key element of sugarmaking history by giving new life to old sap buckets.
The Mount Holly, Vermont producer uses them to make unique maple leaf-designed lights that are selling like hotcakes, coast to coast, since he first introduced them last spring.
"The original intent was for people to dress up their sugarhouse or shed, but people have taken these things to a whole other level, decorating their homes," Karle said. "Hey, whatever it takes, I'm all for it. That's awesome. I've already been shipping them to people from California and down South."
Galvanized sap buckets are no longer used for sap collection in the industry on a commerical basis, and discouraged to be used by hobbists because they are not considered food-grade.
"Old galvanized buckets are getting harder and harder to find, but it's fun, it's a neat challenge," he said. "I've got to try to scoop them up before it's too late. Sometimes I'll find them at scrap yards, or people using them as planters were going to throw them out."
The lights come in three types -- a simple cut-out that can be illuminated with candles; a solar LED light version; or electrified with 12-foot cords and screw-in light bulbs that can be hung from ceilings and rafters.
Karle, 33, is a fledgling 125-tap sugarmaker and his new firm, Green Mountain Backyard, fits in perfectly with his stay-at-home-dad lifestyle.
He bought and sold over 1,100 buckets during last spring's sugaring season alone.
Business partner Matthew Mollnow hand cuts each one with a plasma cutter. Now they're selling fast both online and at fall craft fairs.
"I'm really into recycle, reuse and giving things a second life," Karle said. "Once people find out I'm not buying them just to scrap them, they're much more interested in trying to help out with the project."
Information is available at the website: GreenMountainBackyard.com or the firm's Facebook page.
Click Here!
Fall
Fall
Sale!
© 2024 The Maple News