Merchant has a bright idea

Tuesday, June 24, 2003

Merchant has a bright idea
Pike Place shop features lampshades from local designers

By CHRISTINE FREY
SEATTLE POST-INTELLIGENCER REPORTER

Even when the sun isn't out, Misha Neininger's shop shines.

THE LIGHTS ARE ON

Illuminator 2 Lighting Product & Design

Address: Pike Place Market, Down Under #321

Phone: 206-382-5520

Web site: www.illuminator2.net/index.htm

Email: illuminator2@earthlink.net

Hours: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily

Strands of plastic ladybugs, stars and jack-o'-lanterns hang glowing from the ceiling. More than a dozen lamps, some with brightly patterned shades, light up the space. A few project images of seahorses and dragonflies on the walls.

Located in the lower levels of the Pike Place Market, Neininger's store features lampshades from local designers. Green Lake artist Jil Smith, who is known around the area for her handmade lampshades, sells some of her creations there.

Illuminator 2 Lighting Product & Design opened in the space about a year and a half ago. (The first Illuminator opened at Paddington Markets in Sydney, Australia, where Neininger lived before moving to Washington.)


		Phil H. Webber / P-I
	Misha Neininger, owner of Illuminator 2 Lighting Product & Design, in his shop in the Pike Place Market. "There's this illumination happening," he says.

Neininger, who is originally from Germany, started the Pike Place Market business selling light strands created by German designers. Plastic pieces -- made in the shape of boxes, cats, and even old pin-up girls -- cover strands of Christmas lights. Rows of the lights hang in front of the store window, stopping tourists as they pass by and drawing them inside.

There are lamps shaped like animals and lamps that cast images of ballerinas and dinosaurs on the walls. There are also more traditional floor and table lamps, decorated in bold stripes and dots.

In addition to the light fixtures, Neininger sells jewelry and handbags created by a local designer and artwork by his wife, who teaches photography at the University of Washington.

He hopes to showcase more work by more local artists. About six months ago he featured light fixtures created by industrial design students from the University of Washington. And he plans to display works by local photographers next month. (He gave them toy cameras and asked them to shoot with the cameras for the show.)

"In this darkness, in the muck and mud of Seattle, there's this illumination happening," Neininger said.

P-I reporter Christine Frey can be reached at 206-448-8142 or christinefrey@seattlepi.com

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