Carnevale--Mark your Calendars!

A little over 2 weeks away; Carnevale is coming together: we have fire dancers, the Red Light girls, a fashion show, gourmet food & drinks, fortune tellers, temporary tattoo artists, DJ, lights, & more lined up for another magical evening in the garden.  I hope you will join in the fun!

Tickets are available at the Idaho Botanical Garden website or in person at the Garden.  $10 General Admission, $7 Garden Members.  

I'm putting together some custom award for best costume, best mask, etc.  Dress up if you want, or come as you are; it's all good :)  Our theme for the evening is Venetian Carnival with a Steampunk twist; think masks, top-hats, goggles, boots, feathers, & frivolity!

Hope to see you there :)

Amber

NASCAR Trophy: finished!

whew!  It's done....what a crazy project :)

I"m so happy with how it turned out: thanks so much to everyone who helped me make it happen :)

Trophy specs: 2.5 feet tall, made from an old aluminum wheel hub, scrap plate aluminum, steel, hardware, & old rounds; the big ones on the base are from the big gun on an A-10 Warthog.

I hope we get to see it on TV: I'll feel famous, lol :)

Special thanks to Ray at Rouge Design Syndicate; you made it happen & added the finishing touch--it's perfect!

Amber

NASCAR Trophy: the Finish Line!

I've been playing with guns all day...

Itty bitty cute ones, lol :) 

They had to be cleaned up, ground smooth, washed & painted before they were ready to be a part of the NASCAR trophy....

But, they look so great now!  I decided to go with black & olive drab green paint for contrast, & I'm glad I did; the gun details really pop against the polished aluminum....  Tomorrow, the plaque will be added: I got a preview: it has digital camouflage, the race logo, the NRA logo, & it looks sooooo perfect!

The finish line is in site; I can't wait to see it all come together :)

 

 

Love the way the brass & copper contrast with the aluminum & military colors : )

Tomorrow, the plaque will be bolted on, & just a few touch ups, & it's ready to be shipped to Atlanta.

-after I take some pics, of course ; )-

The race is the American Warrior 300, sponsored by the NRA & it will be on ESPN on September 1st...

Check back for finished pics tomorrow...

 Thanks so much to Blake Trailers & Fabrication for the help with cutting & welding aluminum, & special thanks to Ray at Rouge Design Syndicate for the work on the logos/plaque/etc.   Also: a very special thanks to the community at 4-Chan for the recommendations & help with gun designs :)  And to my drafter & muse---could not have put this together without your help: thanks so much for all the time you put into this...you are amazing!

I really could not do all these cool projects without the help of a lot of other talented people---so thankful for those that are willing to get involved & enjoy the process of making things happen :)  I feel like you all make me better & I'm grateful in every way...  Ooooh that was mushy, lol...I think I'll go back to the shop & grind on some steel now ; )   But, seriously, I appreciate everyone who has helped me along the way; I can't do it by myself, as you all know by now,  hehehehehe ; )

NASCAR Trophy Fabrication

The trophy is put together (still details to be added)--omg-it looks amazing!!  Even better than I hoped for!

Check out some highlight pics from today...

Jason welding up the aluminum parts

Cutting some of the steel gun detail pieces

Huge bullets being mounted into the base...

more welding :)

And, here it is; fully assembled!  Still need to add on all the detail parts, but it looks so cool already!!!

The plaque is being made & will be added on, & tomorrow I'll be putting on all the little gun cut-outs & more bullets & some military parts.

I'm so thrilled with how it's looking; can't wait to add on the final details! The finish line is in site...it's going to be a long day tomorrow, but I'm excited to see it done :)

Amber

NASCAR Trophy Project Update

Things are coming along... Got the little gun parts cut today; they are so cute! Lol; never thought I would say that about guns...but they are :) 

 

 

After cleaning up the aluminum parts; all shiny & pretty to match the base now...  They will be welded tomorrow & then final assembly: attaching all the gun parts, ammo, the plaque, etc.  I can't wait to add in the 3-D elements & see everything come together :)

More to come tomorrow :)

Amber

NASCAR Trophy Project

Last week I got an email that had something about NASCAR in the subject--I thought it was spam at first...

It was actually a request to make a trophy for an upcoming Nascar race; coming up on Labor Day--they asked if it could be done & I said yes, we agreed on a price & now the race is on to get it done & shipped in time!

 

Sooo, I came up with a design themed around guns; as the National Rifle Association is the sponsor & the race is honoring military & other service men & women.  Definately a change from crystals & tiaras for Fashion Week ; )

 Rough sketch of the basic idea & a few of the pieces & parts I'll be using.  The trophy is the one that inspired the project: somehow they ran across it online & tracked me down :)

More parts to work with & my lovely aluminum wheel-hub base :)

The base has been sitting outside for a few years just waiting for this project to come along...it needed a bit of clean-up :)  

All shiny & pretty with some accent bolts; the huge bullets will be added to the base tomorrow, & the smaller ones will be going on the trophy portion....

We are working on cut files tonight to have custom parts cut tomorrow: then more clean-up, welding, & adding in all the accent pieces; that's when it gets really fun ; )

It has to be finished & ready to ship out to Atlanta on Monday...  Only the biggest, most elaborate trophy I have ever made & about a week to get it done, yikes!   

I'll be updating with more progress pics tomorrow.  Back to work for now ; )

Amber

New Jewelry on the Etsy Shop

The "Ice Queen" Set; necklace, earrings, & matching tiara: as seen at Boise Fashion Week :)

 Aluminum, copper, & sparkling crystals; sooo different!  Adjustable length necklace with dangle-fishhook style earrings & a tiara with a silver hair-comb.

A one-of-a-kind set:

https://www.etsy.com/listing/107561206/crystal-ice-queen-set-necklace-earrings

And...one of my favs (I love copper & purple is my fav color)

Created from almost all up-cycled industrial parts & pieces....

The big copper pieces are spent plasma-torch part; some of them has such a cool discoloration from the heat: it makes them even better!

https://www.etsy.com/listing/107564156/upcycled-copper-hardware-necklace-and

This set looked soooo great on the runway at Fashion Week; 

colorful & sparkling under the lights; I bet no-one even suspected it was made from mostly recycled parts & pieces, lol :)

Feminine, strong, industrial & pretty... love it!!

Thanks so much to Bourgeois Chic for letting me go wild with crazy new jewelry for the runway shows.  Also, thanks to Aubry Brower, Moz Couture, Nena Earl, Jim Reidenbaugh, Megan Wright  & Laurie Anne's Creations for the amazing photos!

Amber

RAW Show Highlights

Thanks so much to everyone who came out to the RAW show on Thursday; it was a sold-out event & such a fun evening :)

I got to introduce some the pieces I've been working on lately & it was an overwhelmingly positive response!

One of my big new wall pieces; "Twilight" my favorite of the night :)

This nifty optics necklace went home with someone else :)  Sad to see it go, but she really loved it & it looked so good on her!

It was a great show; looking forward to the next one (Art in the Park-yikes!)

I'll be listing the new pieces on my Etsy shop soon, along with more jewelry :)

After Art in the Park comes Canevale--plans are coming together; we have a great line-up of artists & performers & will be making more announcements soon.  Tickets are on sale now at the Idaho Botanical Garden; just $10 :) 

Next week will be a busy one; just got commissioned to make a trophy for a NASCAR race-it has to be finished & shipped by the end of the week!  And working on securing another big trophy order, plus making more stuffs for Art in the Park & Carnevale; & planning, meetings, etc--omg!

Loving it, though; being busy is good & I'm grateful for all of it :)

Stay tuned...

Thanks so much to Laurie for the great pics--check out more of her beautiful work at:
 http://www.laurieannescreations.com/

Amber

Give-Away!!

Everyone who buys a ticket for the RAW show (just $10) under my name will get a free gift at the show :)  You can choose from these nifty steel bio-hazard signs--great for the garden, wall, fence, etc or you can pick from my collection of simple hardware necklaces.

To buy tix online go to: http://www.rawartists.org/boise/radiate

Click buy tickets & choose my name from the list :)

Then, come enjoy the show on Thursday & claim your prize!

There will be music, performances, art, drinks, a fashion show & more.  I will have a whole new collection of wall art & sculpture to see, along with some new jewelry creations.

Hope to see you there :)

Amber

In the paper today :)

A nice little blurb in the Statesman today about the RAW showcase next week :)

I'm super excited to be introducing some new pieces; hope to see everyone there--tix are available at the pre-sale price through Monday http://www.rawartists.org/boise/radiate

Amber

New Collection: Sneak Peek

Just a peek at the new collection I'll be introducing at the RAWartists Show next week :)

Lots of new wall art pieces, along with some big steel vases, sculpture, & more :)

Steel, aluminum, copper & brass: sooo excited to see these pieces in a collection on the wall!

Thanks so much to Blake Trailers & Fabrication for the amazing plasma-cut work!

This collection is all about metals, layers, & hardware; we will be introducing some of the new pieces at the RAW show, then the whole collection at Art in the Park & Carnevale :)

More to come!

Amber

Chick Pics---the herd of birds....

some amusing chicken pics from the other night :)  Chickens crack me up--I love having them around; even though they eat some of my garden plants & dig holes to take dirt baths, lol

The banties (1/2 size chickens) ducks & black kitty in the background :)

Red Chicken (yes, that's what we call them; red chicken, black chicken, grey chicken, etc)  Red Chicken thinks she is a super-model--always strutting around like a diva.  I sent a pic of her into Chicken magazine for a contest: don't tell her though--it will just add to her rock-star attitude...

Speaking of divas; the Skwishy Cat has to get in on the action any time there is a camera involved, lol

As the sun goes down; all the chickens make their way back to the coop: they have a 2nd story palace above the garden shed; complete with their own ramp--covered in black skid-steer tread: perfect for chicken feet :) 

The duckies, sometimes need a bit more encouragement to go to bed on time...just like little kids, I swear, lol

The herd of birds can be a bit pesty at times; they seem to always want to come in the shop & roost in my roll-around toolbox:  but really they are tons of entertainment & they keep the bugs & weeds under control.  And, the fresh, organic eggs every morning are a huge plus :)
Thinking of getting s'more of the little banties....hehehehe :)

Such a farm around my little shop; horses on one side, cows on the other, & my herd of birds....  And my sweetie would like nothing more than to bring home a pygmy goat--any day now; I wouldn't be surprised ; )

Amber

Carnevale: planning in progress :)

Carnevale 2012 plans are well under-way; can't wait!  This year is going to be even bigger & better than last--we are adding in a fashion show, will have more booths/vendors & bringing back the Red Light Variety show to perform, along with some of our favorite fire dancers including Rose :)

Still booking performers & artist applications are open through Friday-applications are on the Idaho Botanical Garden website, or contact me for details.  Looking for mimes, jugglers, dancers, & more artists to join in the fun...  If you know anyone who might be interested; let me know.  

I'll be introducing a whole new collection of wall art & garden pieces that have been in the works for months; so excited to share :)  Will also have lots of new jewelry, accessories, etc.  And, I'll be making some very cool custom awards for the costume contest: best dressed, best top-hat, best mask, etc.

Tickets on sale soon; hope to see you there :)

Amber