ABOUT TOMMY

My name is Tommy Campnell. I currently live on Bainbridge Island in Washington. Though I feel like I’m stranded on an island, it’s only a 30 minute ferry boat ride to Seattle and the mainland. I used to live in Chicago, so that’s were the website name comes from. The west coast has been good to me so far, but it’s no “Windy City”. 

This is Tommy's favorite piece of artwork. It's a shadowbox that contains an advertising ad for "Williamson's Power Corkscrews" featuring a man that has his lower half as a Double Helix corkscrew. Also featured in the piece are two unused Williamson Double Helix Corkscrews.

In my spare time I enjoy golfing with friends. It’s a relaxing activity that forces me to get outdoors. One of my archrivals on the golf course and golf buddy, Josef L’African, introduced me to corkscrew collecting. He had been collecting for like 4 years at the time and was always discovering new pieces. This reminded me of my first love…Beanie Babies! Yes, I admit it, I was addicted to Beanie Babies. Buying, selling, collecting, bargaining, and most of all…. The thrill of the Hunt! Well, I was instantly hooked on the idea of collecting antique corkscrews.

I’ve been collecting for 4 years now. Wow! How time flies! I’ve owned hundreds of different pieces that range from mechanical, to simple, American to German, and figural to bone. I really enjoy them all!