You could be forgiven for not believing Darcia Mather when she describes herself as shy.

In the live online auctions from what she laughingly calls her “sh**ty little shed” on a two acre lifestyle property in Oropi, she’s bubbly, chatty and fun.

“I’m quite awkward and introverted but you wouldn’t know that from my shopping events,” says the woman who started selling quality vintage items on Facebook in 2020.

“I’d moved into a smaller house, so it was a way of selling all my excess stuff. When I started, this form of selling was uncommon. I had to get someone in to help and literally create the system on the fly.”

For the self-taught light maker, selling second-hand items was a side hustle to fund the materials needed to make her distinctive statement lights.

They’ve been used on television sets, rugby games and at major events.

“Making quality lighting is expensive,” says Darcia.

“My lights are made from metal by hand and Light Viking was the first to offer them on the corporate event scene. I’ve always insisted on maintaining incandescent light for the gorgeous glow. During Covid, the event industry was hit hard, so going back to dealing in old stuff was a good fit to bridge the gap and maintain my sense of purpose.”

Her ‘downtime’

Darcia travels around the North Island supplying lights to large events, and spends her ‘downtime’ buying beautiful, quirky and strange items to sell.

 “I have no aversion to digging around in the dirtiest sheds because that’s where you find the best treasure,” she laughs.

“I bring it back to life because the beauty of old stuff is that it’s made of quality material.”

Darcia Mather within her shed, she’s called the ‘Silk Purse’. Photo: David Hall.

As a creative Darcia has a knack for picking great pieces. From fine glassware to vases, lamps, jugs, chairs and stools.

Her shed, called the ‘Silk Purse’ opens occasionally to the public, but her online events on Mondays prove popular with customers from Kerikeri right down to Bluff.

“I’m good at describing the items; the weight, size and details. I love it when people get their purchase and message me that it’s even better than they thought it would be,” says Darcia. “It’s a little like Antiques Roadshow. It appeals to people who like vintage stuff.”

Living rurally

When she’s not gigging or hunting out cool stuff, Darcia enjoys life living rurally. “I’m so grateful to live here. The Oropi community is wonderful. You’re so aware of your neighbours.”

Darcia doesn’t have space for livestock but is conscious of moving towards self-sustainability.

“My plan is to grow cabbages and give them away to organisations for people in need. I’ve always contributed to my community and this assists in the habit of growing my own food.”

Chickens are next on the wish-list. Until then, she’s happy maintaining the ever-growing food supply.

“I have a passion for birdlife, and I delight in insects, so even if the grass is a little shaggy at times, it feels okay because the native birds and the bees have food. The beauty of nature is what gives me happiness. The sun shining through the trees. Peace and joy can be found if you look hard enough, even in the toughest of times.”