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Repurposed Wine Barrels Light up Outdoor Living Spaces B Y M I C H A E L C H AT F I E L D T wo years ago, a friend gave Vicki Harber two used wine barrels. She left them out- side, intending to cut them in half for use as planters in the garden at her Cachagua home. One day, she watched her grandchildren draw- ing shapes on them with chalk. "It occurred to me that it might be fun to cut out the designs they drew," Harber says. From there, she got the idea to light them up from within, jack-o'-lantern-style. Voila! Harber Barrel Lights were born. The oak barrels she uses are retired from Carmel Valley wineries. "They're handmade; no two alike." Wooden barrels are meant to be constantly wet and tend to lose integrity when dry, so she stabilizes them, screwing the staves to the wood. After sanding and polishing, drills and a jig saw are employed to cut out circles and stars in various patterns. "I let the barrel tell me what to do," she says. A 60-watt LED bulb provides illumination, casting a 360-degree pattern around the barrel. So far, she's crafted 75 or so Barrel Lights for residences and businesses. "I love making these," she says. "I can't wait to get to the next one." For more information call 831/238-4924. Harber's barrels can be seen at the Cachagua General Store, or on Facebook under "Harber Barrel Lights." SHORTCUTS NEIGHBORS Vicki Harber of Cachagua (with Lucy) carves out patterns on wine barrels and illuminates them with electric lights for her business Harber Barrel Lights. 66 C A R M E L M A G A Z I N E • S P R I N G / S U M M E R 2 0 1 6 Photo: Kelli Uldall