After 40 years in heavy industry, Ray Alexander never imagined he would be running Gaysha, an eclectic art shop with his wife, Rose. His love of finding quirky, vintage furniture and second hand items fill the store with an assortment of pieces you wouldn’t find anywhere else.
Tell us about yourself and Gaysha.
Gaysha is North Queensland’s decorative specialist for Chalk Paint® by Annie Sloan, located in South Townsville, run by husband and wife, Rose and Ray Alexander. Receive expert advice online and in store and learn how to upcycle furniture at our Chalk Paint® Workshops. Our skills, expertise and interior design knowledge can help guide you to achieve beautiful results! The store is filled with unique gifts, home décor and rare vintage finds.
I am an avid finder of attractive and quirky vintage furniture and second-hand items, that make one-of-a kind gifts for the hard to buy for. Who doesn’t need an 1890 vintage camera or a fabulous metal peacock? Gaysha has a range of eclectic gifts, as well as used furniture that you can upcycle and renovate to your own taste, with all the products you need to transform retro into new age, and create your own “hero” piece.
We’re are able to advise and instruct you on decorative styles and techniques utilising professional training by Annie Sloan. Our dream is to create a community of painters and renovators who will inspire others to create their own statement pieces and enjoy the pleasurable rewards that renovating can bring.
What has been the most challenging aspect of starting/owning Gaysha Contemporary Paint and Pattern?
In my experience, the most challenging aspect of becoming involved in our business was to “get in touch with my feminine side” as the lovely Rose described it. Before Gaysha, I worked 40 years in heavy industry, with John Deere Green and Caterpillar Yellow as the statement pieces of interior and exterior decor. Learning about Chalk Paint and Wax has certainly widened my colour spectrum and I can now embrace the difference between red, pink, watermelon, and salmon. While Rose has always had an interest in art, and has a Degree from JCU, I had often been called an artist of a different kind. I do now have a great depth of knowledge and experience from using the paint and can give advice and colour recommendations to customers without having to ask my wife.
What is a fun fact about yourself?
As I have matured my hair has become whiter and because I have lots of curls I get comments from people saying “Gee, I know you from somewhere?” Apparently I might look a little bit like Tom Baker, the actor that played Doctor Who back in the ’70’s or, as I am very distinguished in the looks department, King Charles. This might explain some of my nicknames; ie The Doctor and Charlie.
I also like to give our customers an experience that they will remember when they visit our shop. I normally write up a little saying for the sign outside the shop each day, that might be thought provoking or instantly forgettable. I also like to tell jokes – dad jokes especially – the really bad ones that make people groan, and are really punishing to your sense of humour.
What is the best piece of career or business advice you have ever received?
At 57, I still had not made up my mind about a career that I wanted to pursue. The job that I enjoyed the most was as a deckhand in the Prawn Trawler Industry, travelling up and down the Queensland coast back in the late ’70s. My work as a Crew Coordinator at a metal refinery for 32 years ended suddenly when Queensland Nickel closed down. If anyone had told me then that I would end up selling gifts, crafts and jewellery to women, and recommending what colour matched their eyes, I never would have believed them! It is truly inspirational the way that things turn out. Working at Gaysha as a manager of a retail store, is something I wished I could have done 30 years ago. I meet so many interesting people everyday and get paid to travel to Melbourne and Sydney to buy unique and fun products. Now that doesn’t feel like work to me. I am fortunate to have grasped this opportunity with both hands, and I believe that a positive attitude no matter what the industry can make all the difference.
Going forward, what is next on the cards for Gaysha Contemporary Paint and Pattern?
Rose and I have embraced technology kicking and screaming – actually, that was just me. However, we have a website and an online shop, and our IT skills update with the constant change of the digital age. The main reason we started the business is the absolute opposite of technology, it is about “doing it yourself” and saving the planet from an abundance of waste. To compliment the trend of upcycling and home renovation, Annie Sloan has extended her range of products to include Wall and Satin Paints.
We have launched a Wholesale Trade Website to offer these products Business To Business (B2B). The point of difference between Annie Sloan’s paint and other products is that there is NO SMELL! The Wall and Satin Paints are water based and contain minimal levels of VOC, which is certified as Toy Safe (non-toxic) and considered an environmentally-friendly choice for paint. Plus, the paint does not drip, and it dries fast, with just two coats and no Primer.
Main image – Rose and Ray Alexander
Images Credits – All images supplied.
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