WHAT started off as a small collection of bird eggs, animal skulls and horns, has turned into a full-time job with an international reality television show for a former Cradock High School learner, who matriculated in 1993.
According to Ivan Bruwer (43), his love for what he does got its final kick when he met up with Noel Holmes, one of Cradock’s most well-known collectors. His first vintage garage was in Port Elizabeth.
While filming his television show, Collectors Candy, Ivan lived in Woodstock, Cape Town, but then moved to Prince Albert and he is now starting a whole new vintage village in De Rust.
Collectors
Candy showcases the life of Ivan, a professional “picker” and the show follows his travels to all corners of the county in search of collectible and rare antiques. “Picking is an adventure and takes me on several interesting journeys. Collecting is in my blood; it’s an addiction, a passion and my way of living,” Bruwer explained.
According to his mother, Carien, who is a retired school teacher who lives in Cradock, he can find anything for anyone in what you may consider the junk in your garage or backyard. You might find it worthless, but Ivan will restore it and Collectors Candy will tell the story whether it be a classic car or motorbike, a sign or other memorabilia, he will find it.
“En route he visits antique shops, scrap yards, barns, any interesting places and meets interesting characters and finds interesting things,” she said.
Ivan also helps with the set up of vintage villages. The most recent being an entire village in Graaff-Reinet where the village was designed, constructed and decorated with golden oldies. The village is a family orientated establishment that consists of an old filling station, old vehicle workshop, cash store, bicycle shop, bar and diner style restaurant and kiddies playground.
- Watch Ivan’s Collectors Candy on SABC2 from 15:00 to 16:00 every Sunday afternoon. Collectors Candy has also been screened in New Zealand.
