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The designer & hand-maker of Zed’s Eclectic Designs (an unusual name concocted by his sister and brother-in-law that forms the acronym ‘ZED’), Anthony "Zed" Zaidie is thrilled that his productions have taken the market by storm.
“It was April 2020, Jamaica was in full lockdown, and like most of the world, I suddenly had nothing to do”, he says. “I was watching a lot of DIY programmes, and my wife suggested I make a table for our patio. I had a few tools, borrowed some more from a friend, and jumped right in”.
“The table took almost three months, with constant ribbing from my wife and the housekeeper, that Noah’s Ark didn’t take that long. Finally, it was done, and I proclaimed it a masterpiece. From there, I made a few tables and coffee tables for clients who had seen postings on social media”.
After making a few tables, Zed turned his attention to metal lamps, which became popular pieces of usable art. “Metal is tough” he says, “and not very forgiving. I did some great pieces, Robot lamps, Steampunk lamps and a Saxophone man. I still make them if there is an order”.
When asked if there was any piece he regretted selling, Zed admitted that there was one. “A wooden and metal lamp, almost six feet tall. It was an intricate build, I used wood, copper and stone tile, and metal pipe. I fell in love with it. A friend who had seen the lamp on Instagram, arrived at my home one day and pronounced that she was not leaving without it.” It was a lesson for the budding artisan to create stronger boundaries between what was for sale and what was for himself.
Zed’s attention quickly turned back to wood. With a construction background, and a strong sense of God, he began making churches. “I was drawn to the architecture and symmetry of old churches”. Once he started down this path, it quickly led to other pieces inspired by the natural and spiritual world.
“There was nothing like my pieces on the market. Many found that my churches made the ideal gift for a friend who lost a loved one, a christening gift, or simply when they wanted to express the idea that ‘there’s something bigger’.” Zed pays plenty attention to aging the churches through the handcrafted details. He makes the surfaces uneven and delicately cuts the smaller parts by hand. “The buildings look old, but with a fresh coat of paint.”
Zed began making angels when a friend made a special request for one. “Angels are universal. They follow the same theme as the churches but are a bit more whimsical”. Today, Zed produces large and mini angels with wings and halos, painted or stained in many colors, which have become quite popular.
“The Owls are nature, and I have fun with them. Their colors are warm earth-tones with a bright color or two thrown in. I like to show the grain and the pattern in the wood, it’s part of the piece”. He says he’s trying to appease the perfect tree from which it came. “I’m not an artist, so for me instead of painting the eyes, beaks & wings of the owls, I use raised bits to show depth & color.”
The use of everyday materials is important to Zed. “Metal washers for eyes, local bamboo for the beaks and recycled can lids where I can, for the wings.” He also notes that he almost always leaves the imperfections in the wood. “I think it makes it more real.” Initially when Zed began selling the owls on Instagram and to stores, they were completely original. By 2023, however, Zed had made as many owls as angels.
His crosses, which are three dimensional, are also very beautiful. “My large crosses reflect the Trinitarian doctrine, hence the 3D cross, and I make other crosses utilizing unusual materials like draw pulls.”
Christmas 2023 orders for Zed’s creations were overwhelming. “I did Christmas trees of varying sizes and colors, and Santa’s--lots of Santa’s. I could not make enough of either”.
Zed admits that woodworking can be challenging, as there are so many variables and sometimes different ways of creating one piece. Some pieces are downright difficult. When pressed to recall his most difficult woodworking project to date, Zed said: “definitely Rose Hall. It took many days to figure out how to make the entrance, but not just how to make the entrance, rather how to make the entrance efficiently. It was very rewarding when it was finished. I sent it to Michelle Rollins.”
What can we expect from Zed in the next six months? Think ‘big’, and ‘unique’. “There are owl clocks, key hangers and a framed black & white night scene.” Every piece Zed makes, even if it’s from the same line, is an original. “I change, add, or substitute something so your piece is your own. The grain in the wood also helps in this regard.”
Zed relishes that he can work from home and the artistic freedom that comes with that. “When I feel inspired, I can immediately design a piece, cut it, paint it, since it’s just me doing everything.”
Recently, Zed decided to make some of his pieces available to select stores island-wide. “The Collective 876 was the perfect location for my pieces, the layout & selection of merchandise is what drew me to them. I think we complement each other.”
Come and check out Zed's unique art pieces at The Collective 876 (Shop 8) at Main Street Rose Hall, Montego Bay, Jamaica and take a few pieces home with you to commemorate your wonderful time on the island.
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