Nylex Bessmer Australia Kitchen Designs

Hello, look at this, a double egg cup by Bessmer sold at Hobart Collectables on Etsy

Australian Kitchen Wares and Designs 

Who can argue that other countries sure have a great view on design? I really love the designs that are found coming out of Australia, by Nylex Corporation --- who mainly used melmac in their Bessemer line. Their designs are funky, mid century modern styled, and over the top.

Bessemer Plastics by Nylex: Made in Australia!  Photo: HobartCollectables on Etsy

The Legend of Nylex

Nylex Plastics employed so many people in Australia back in the day. My research indicates struggling with unions and rising costs of assembly, the company was destined for final failure in 2009. What most people do not know, is the company was known for it's gorgeous melamine, but also it's beloved coolers, which had the brand name of Esky. (Ironically nicknamed after Eskimos.)

When the company went into financial failure in 2009, Coleman actually bought out the product line.  Aside from the beloved coolers, and tons of lost jobs and industry, the major news stories were all fights over preserving the iconic sign (below) . Perhaps the rest of Nylex, someday, will be forgotten history.

Nylex Iconic Sign Credit: Vincent Quach (Invincible)

Collecting Bessemer

Assembling a collection of Bessemer may be difficult if you aren't in Australia,  as you would have to purchase most from overseas collectors. The problem being the monetary conversion and shipping may be hefty getting this into the states. The final result would be so very worth it however, as Bessemer's designers had a knack for making these great kitchen ideas!

DestinationVintageOz on Etsy offers this melmac steak plate / platter by Bessemer!

It's my opinion that Bessemer would be rare to find here in the States, unless it was coveted as a gift or souvenir, or people who have moved from Australia and bought it with them.

Assembling a full collection may be hard. Since it was primarily known for sugars, creamers, platters, trays, and pitchers, a good sized design worthy shelf in your home would be able to house the best in mid century modern kitchen designs.

Bessemer Butter Dish and Sugar Bowl in Pretty White by NostalgiaBloom on Etsy

As for the designers; This great post by Ian Wong shows who designed for Bessemer   at least the chief designer being Lionel Suttie ..Share your Bessemer stories below!

Also from Nostalgia Bloom (above) on Etsy. These come apart!

Related Reading:

All Bessemer.

Plastic is Saving My Dog's Life

Plastic (dropper, leash, collar, toys) are currently keeping my dog Buford T. Woo alive.

Thank you Plastic.

I never thought I'd say that especially since the whole dog-food-melamine incident, but today I realized just how essential plastic is and has been in my dog's life.  I'm dealing with the fact my 13 year old basset hound (Mr. Buford T. Woo short for Buford Thaddeus Woo) has colo-rectal cancer. Okay, technically he's 12 years and 8 months.....

Buford underwent a colo-rectal operation having anal glands and a small tumor removed in April 2011 after discovery of a rectal tumor.  We have just been advised it has come back recently, in his two pelvic nodes.

Buford has been successfully battling colo-rectal cancer for almost two years.

I should be lucky my faithful friend has lived so long, but to see him strong and healthy and running around is great---he doesn't even have arthritis!  It's an irony for me since the whole reason I started this very plastic blog was when my mom was battling her Colo-Rectal cancer. Sadly, she did not last as long as my dog.  As soon as she passed, my dog was diagnosed with it.  Amazing to think this deadly disease has taken or will be taking everyone I love.

Now in all honesty, Buford has lived a great long life and I've spoiled him so, and for that I'm thankful. There will be no chemo or chemicals, he's already living on borrowed time for goodness sakes. Besides, if you remove the lymph node (which he could very well sustain the operation) chances are the cells will travel elsewhere.  So now I'm happy to report the Woo has gone holistic with natural treatments and with the help of natural remedies, he's now a living case study. He is still healthy and in no pain..for now.

Plastic droppers like these on Etsy at The Glass Connection help me give my dog his drops

So what about the Plastic? 

Just the other day I realized without my plastic stopper it would be impossible to give him some Dr. Reckeweg's R17 drops and combine healthy vitamins and herbs to boost his system and allow him to live out his days comfortably. No way, no how would a glass dropper work.  Think of how many lives are save with the help of plastic medical supplies. I just realized that.

This collar is from Ronkita on Etsy,  much like the one the Woo wears

My Time With Woo Now is Crucial


Without the plastic in his collar I'd be unable to take him for walks as I still do. The plastic retractible leash  I hook to it is essential for doing this.  As long as he's up to it I will continue to exercise him since walking helps oxygenate his cells and enjoy this special time together.

Red Plastic Wham O Frisbee, $5 at Moderndayvintage on Etsy

His plastic toys he still plays with, I'm not sure why, he's 13 and you would think he'd outgrow them by now. He loves to tug with our 5 year old mini doxies and maybe that's why.  Perhaps it is them playing that keeps him moving around. Moving is good, more oxygenation in his cells. Thank you plastic.

This is the one just like what we have, available at DogSupplyNetwork

His plastic crate I brought him home with as a puppy still sits in my basement and I remember looking forever for plastic dog crates just to find that special one when I went to get him. Although it's much too small for him now we still use it taking our cat Masen to the vets, or the mini doxies.

Dentists love to use plastic, these are acrylic teeth available at TheMonsterofMyHeart on Etsy

Then of course there was that time he ate my plastic night guard and buried it in the yard.  I caught him with it about two years later when he dug it up and ran around with it hanging out of his mouth. I was sure ticked off having to spend another $300 getting one made at my dentists and thought for sure I had lost it. I remember giving him a run for his money that day.....

Buttermilk Celluloid Clock Available at Wierclock on Etsy

So with heavy heart I watch my plastic clock on the wall and wish I could freeze this moment in time forever because today he's happy and bouncing around and he's still here with me. I almost wish I didn't know that time is limited. I think it's actually harder for the pet owner as we are the ones who must determine when the time is right, if they don't go on their own.  Not to let them suffer of course, but the decision comes with such guilt.   Such is life I suppose. Soon I will be missing him so much more than he will ever know.

Basset hound bank in plastic says it all..... on Etsy at nanometer

The moral of this story?
Buy something for your dog (plastic) and go and hug your dog today.