Jerry Coe, founder of Berkeley, Calif.–based Coe Studios, started his metalsmithing career fabricating stagecoaches for national parks and pieces for museums. And then a customer noticed a need in the marketplace for sturdy outdoor lighting. “Modern steel lasts for two years,” Coe explains, “and if you don’t keep painting it, it’s gone in a few years. One of my clients said, ‘Why don’t you make something in a nice, heavy bronze?’”
Today, lighting is Coe’s most popular creation. His shop uses hand-blown glass, and its product line comes in 20 standard shapes and designs. Coe also fabricates custom fixtures. Both withstand rough weather and other harsh environments.
In addition to its lighting offerings, Coe Studios designs a range of custom bronze products, including gates, doors, and stair rails. Coe Studios. 877.263.2950. www.coestudios.com
