Artisans of the Valley's Blog Site

October left our region with a major disaster; our hearts go out to all of those who lost so much during hurricane Sandy.

Artisans came through with a short disruption in power and the loss of a few trees, no complaints here. We maintain most of our offsite storage at Buxton’s Boxes which was built with proper drainage and to withstand the winds, everything we have on hand remained safe throughout the storm. The first response teams, utilities, and government crews all busted their asses to keep things going and get the power back on. Thank you!

Artisans will be ready to take on restoration projects from the storm as well as to provide custom furniture to replace what was lost. See below for more hints and tips for storm damage situations.

We are also ramping up scavenging and salvage operations to begin to take in logs from storm fall, construction, or well any reason a tree may have to fall. See page two for details of our pending log reclamation projects.

Artisans is available to provide assistance in evaluating storm, flood, fire, or “creative human” damaged furniture. Don’t throw it out until we’ve had a chance to check it out. We’re good at fixing stuff! When it comes to your heirlooms and treasures restoration and refinishing is often within reach event after smoke or submersion damage.

We can provide an onsite evaluation or with detailed photos to give an reasonable estimate on restoration feasibility and costs. We’re geared up to take on the next wave of restorations. Although, we actually still have work in progress and pending from Irene last summer. Our goal is to work with our clients, insurance companies, and contractors to time restorations so that our delivery is scheduled close to when your homes are back to life.

Keep in mind when you have a flood damage situation it is critical to mitigate mold and moisture damage as quickly as possible. When we collect your furniture we will quickly remove all upholstery and run the piece through a chemical process to kill all the mold and bacteria. The furniture will then be stored for several months allowing it to dry out and re-acclimate before restoration begins. This is critical to ensure the wood returns to a reasonable moisture level, finishing wet wood will not provide a good result.

Contact us to work with your insurance adjusters to provide estimates for recovery, storage, and restoration. Don’t consider a treasure lost until we have had a chance to check it out! We will give you an honest assessment of the pieces and let you know if we feel we can restore it.

To expedite insurance evaluation requests please contact Eric M. Saperstein at 609-658-2955

Sunday December 2nd we delivered Donations for victims of Super Storm (Hurricane) Sandy today to Pioneer Hose Co #1 in Brick Township, NJ (Station 22). Our donation drive was organized by Ashley Hutchinson age 10 with the help of her brother Connor age 8.

All donations will be managed by Pioneer members and will be given directly to families in need.

Welcome to Artisans of the Valley’s Artisans Quarterly Review Volume 5 Issue 3 – 2012

Artisans Quarterly Review is released four times a year, and we periodically send out special announcements to keep everyone up to date. Each issue features a unique variety of articles, images, and events. We enjoy interactions with our clients, affiliated artists, and our suppliers. We welcome ideas and submissions for content!

Link For Text Email Views: http://www.artisansofthevalley.com/docs/Artisans_Quarterly_Review_Vol5_Issue3_2012.pdf

3/4 Of 2012 – Table of Contents

Opening by the Editor
What’s Turning?
The Art All Night Experience
Our Part in Art All Night
Art All Night Artwork
Crowded Around Art at Night
Creative Yard Nooks
ARTSandFASHIONINSTITUTE
Sands of Light – Randy Mardrus
Restoration – Music Box
Restoration – Decanter
Butterfly Tales
The First 375 Year Old Slab Table
The New Jersey Barn Company
Cap & Gown Club Dining Part I
Historic Wood Projects

Join Aritsans of the Valley’s FaceBook Page!

Artist Profile – Randy Mardrus owner of Permanent Reflections discusses his passion for deep carved illuminated glass and the origins of his lifestyle.

Randy Mardrus Carved Art Glass – SANDS OF LIGHT (Artist Profile Video)

Those of you familiar w/ Eric’s game room bar have seen the centerpiece glass carving. The bar was designed and built by Eric & Stanley Saperstein. The glass carving is by Randy Mardrus, and the stained glass frame was done by Robert Saperstein. The custom solid brass bar top was done by Trenton Sheet Metal.

Collaboration between artists of various mediums, backgrounds, and skill levels often results in some of the most interesting and creative results.

Eric and Randy met through the commission for the Rocky Mountain elk scene that anchors the bar – this was back in the Y2K era. The two began to realize they were up against each other in terms of the level of artistry that this home bar could reach. The creativity grew and the joint effort quickly turned from a project into a long term friendship.

Randy recently completed an artist profile video – check this out for a great insight into the creative mind. Randy discusses himself, and how he began his journey from a teenage rebel to a professional artist.

His work decorates the homes of royalty around the world, mega yachts. exclusive hotels, exotic car dealers, the US Senate building. … The work speaks for itself, in this video the artist gets a chance to share a window into himself.

Enjoy! … Nicely done Randy!

For More information on Randy & Permanent Reflections

http://www.permanentreflections.com/

Artisans will be joining Art All Night – Trenton 2012 on June 16 & 17, 2012! at the Historic Roebling Wire Works in the Chambersburg section of Trenton! For more information visit the website at http://www.artworkstrenton.org/artallnight

Mission: Art All Night-Trenton is a 24-hour (literally) art and entertainment event in Trenton, NJ!

An opportunity for four-year-old refrigerator artists, spirited novices and seasoned professionals to display one piece of art in a gallery like setting and for the public to enjoy that art in a dramatic renovated urban space.

FREE TO SUBMIT ART AND TO ATTEND!

Last year almost 900 artists of all ages, skill levels and mediums submitted work and more than 13,000 people attended. Enjoy live music on indoor and outdoor stages, interactive art, art films featuring stop motion photography and animation, lectures about using art to revitalize cities, meaningful kids art activities, interesting food, and plenty of artful surprises!

Art All Night – Trenton takes place in the Chambersburg section of Trenton in a sprawling 50,000 square foot former Roebling Wire Works factory building and at the adjacent Millyard Park, an urban park owned and maintained by the Mercer County Parks Commission.

Company Overview

Art All Night-Trenton is a 24-hour long arts extravaganza occurring annually on the 3rd weekend in June. AAN encourages any artist of any age, medium or skill level to submit one piece of art of their own creation for display in a gallery-like setting. It is free to submit art and free to attend. At Art All Night-Trenton 2010 over 850 artists of all ages, skill levels and mediums submitted work and more than 10,000 people attended. AAN 2011 saw an even larger surge in attendance when 13,000 people walked into our amazing space to witness almost 900 pieces of artwork on display, 30+ bands on two stages and a host of special, interactive events and a world food court!

Art All Night-Trenton is a catalyst for community development, shining a spotlight on our region’s artistic talent. The show includes and attracts artists of all ages and skill levels and particularly encourages children and amateur artists to be actively involved by contributing artwork and engaging in on site activities.

Welcome to Artisans of the Valley’s Artisans Quarterly Review Vol 5 Issue 2 2012

Artisans Quarterly Review is released four times a year, and we periodically send out special announcements to keep everyone up to date. Each issue features a unique variety of articles, images, and events. We enjoy interactions with our clients, affiliated artists, and our suppliers. We welcome ideas and submissions for content!

Newsletter Link For Text Email Views: http://www.artisansofthevalley.com/docs/Artisans_Quarterly_Review_Vol5_Issue2_2012.pdf

2012 Continues
• Migrating to New Markets
• Tanked Revealed Again
• Preparing to Blend Art & Wine
• Wine & Spine!?
• Let’s Make the World Sharper
• Lineup for Purchase
• Artisans Art All Night 2012
• Mixing Pallets
• Slabs of Game
• Drunken Chess
• Solid American Walnut Chest
• Culture & Heritage Feature
• Plaques & Signs
• Slabs in Progress
• Introducing Pheasant Wood
• Stopping Oak Barrels
• Rosewood Table Restoration
• Chopsticks & Maki Boards
• A Little Sharper World
• Standing Pens
• Iron & Wood Tapping Beer
• Bedding in White
• Like us on FaceBook!
• What’s Coming – In Q3

Join Aritsans of the Valley’s FaceBook Page!

Artisans will be on the grounds of Hopewell Valley Vineyards on June 2nd & 3rd from 12pm – 5pm each day.

We’ll be showing off our Bubinga over Concrete Table, a concrete dovetail bench, two unique cedar slab gaming tables with concrete bases, a modern four post bed, a walnut block front chest, a “druken chess set”, and a variety of other unique pieces. June us for a glass of wine and a preview of our new portfolio!

Also an important reminder to artists – the CALL FOR ARTISTS remains open for
The Blending of Art & Wine on June 2/3rd.
Please contact us for more information on displaying your work!

Click Here to Download Artisans Booklet “Mini-Portfolio” a Printable PDF Cross Section of our Entire Portfolio:
http://www.artisansofthevalley.com/docs/Artisans_of_the_Valley_Mini-Portfolio.pdf

Thank you for your time, your business, and your support!

Eric M. Saperstein
Master Craftsman
Artisans of the Valley
www.artisansofthevalley.com
609-658-2955

Here’s a classic block front chest in solid American Black Walnut – a simple and elegant design blending in easily in a country decor or a formal period setting. Hand carved shell, bracket feet, six panel interlocking joint design.

Last weekend we paired with Hopewell Valley Vineyards and the Delaware River Valley Wine Trail (Old York Cellars, Unionville Vineyards, Hopewell Valley Vineyards, and Terhunes Orchards, Vineyards, and Winery) for a wine trail event called “Mixing Pallets”

We debuted two of our new cedar slab over concrete gaming tables each featuring a unique round slice of a huge cedar tree and an original concrete pyramid base. The game boards are setup for chess in Swiss Pear, Leopard Wood, and Ebony. These two are the first of nine pieces in a series from one giant cedar tree. We plan to continue this theme using slices of various species of locally harvested lumber. Please contact us for details these pieces are available for sale.

The concrete bases are solid castings using a method that allows the coloration to penetrate through the entire depth. Durable, solid, and ornate these bases each have an individual signature. No two can ever be exactly alike, but we can match sets for a project. Michael Pietras brought along his secrets for concrete casting when he migrated back from the Cayman Islands and partnered with us last year.

The redwood burl project is ongoing at the moment – we found ourselves a nice piece of redwood and are inserting a series of uniquely shaped butterflies following the contour of each crack line. These will provide stability and an amazingly cool contrast of color and visual interest in the surface. We’ll be casting a concrete base for this table as well.

Also featured in the photo gallery is our Bubinga over Concrete dining table, an original design by Michael Pietras, this piece is currently available for sale. Please contact us for details.

We’ll do a special feature of a hidden gem in the photos shortly – our “Druken Chess Set” … this is a one-of-a-kind carving by Stanley D. Saperstein. The project initiated when we realized we messed up, we assembled a game board and it was entirely crooked. The lines zig-zag – so “Ooops” …. !! The problem we face here is the materials are rather expensive, so we decided not to waste it. More on this project later!

Check out our wine barrel wine stoppers – among our many scrap wood projects these stoppers are a unique collectable or gift item. Available for $24.95!

We’ll also feature more of the solid walnut block front chest that debuted in this show soon. This piece was a commission and is scheduled to ship out very soon. Custom chests are available by commission.

Check back soon for features of each of these projects and several more we’ve recently completed.

Greetings,

Welcome to Artisans of the Valley’s “Artisans Quarterly Review Vol 5 Issue 1 2012” …

Artisans Quarterly Review is released four times a year, and we periodically send out special announcements to keep everyone up to date. We enjoy interactions with our clients, affiliated artists, and our suppliers. We welcome ideas and submissions for content!

Newsletter Link For Text Email Views: http://www.artisansofthevalley.com/docs/Artisans_Quarterly_Review_Vol5_Issue1_2012.pdf

Special Announcement: Artisans has been “Tanked AGAIN!” … we’ll be featured on Animal Planet’s series “Tanked” in the upcoming season two. Starting on Saturday April 14th, 2012 at 9pm … the second season is a full twenty episodes! We’ll send out a special email broadcast when we know which episode we’ll be a part of. Meanwhile here’s the link to the season two trailer: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=10150628522268527

And we have 2012

• It’s All About the Wood
• The Blending of Art & Wine 2012
• Let the Games FLIP?! (Feature)
• An Upgrade to the Sequence Chest
• Cribbage Revisited
• Gaming Tables to BE!
• 375 Year Old Oak Bible Boxes
• The Box Review
• This Old Sideboard
• Pamela Ptak – Wearable Sculpture
• ChazMaTazz Formal Wear
• James Lear Photography
• Hopewell Valley Vineyards Ships!
• Mixing Pallets
• Modern Oak Table Refinish
• Thanks for Getting us Tanked AGAIN!
• Wood Scavenging – Off to the Mill!
• Interesting Osage Facts
• What Do We Do With This Wood?
• Paulownia Pending
• WHAT? Toy Trucks in Afghanistan?
• Congrats to The Velvet Elvis!

Click Here to Download Artisans Booklet “Mini-Portfolio” a Printable PDF Cross Section of our Entire Portfolio:

http://www.artisansofthevalley.com/docs/Artisans_of_the_Valley_Mini-Portfolio.pdf

Artisans Quarterly Review Previous Issues: Vol 4 Issue 4 – 2011, Vol 4 Issue 3 – 2011, Vol 4 Issue 2 – 2011, Vol 4 Issue 1 – 2011, Visit our Newletter Page for archived releases!

Thank you for your time, your business, and your support!

Eric M. Saperstein

Master Craftsman

Artisans of the Valley

www.artisansofthevalley.com

609-658-2955

One solid American black walnut original design gaming table by Artisans of the Valley (Eric M. Saperstein & Michael Pietras) custom built for our client in South Carolina.

The piece is primarily 4/4” black walnut, obviously the gaming board employs more exotic materials. The choice was Swiss Pear & Leopard Wood for the chess board. We maintained the walnut choice for the third wood in the backgammon board. Then we trimmed with a jet black gaboon ebony.

We are very pleased with the Swiss Pear and Leopard Wood combo – just came out a very rich contrast with an antique look. We are planning on doing several more of these soon. The first series had four boards and a fifth as a “mess up.” We’re using that for a creative project we’ll feature later.

(This chess board is of the set of four – showing the finished piece)

The game board is laminated with ¼” thick solid surface over a ¾” 13 layer high quality plywood core. Everything secured with construction adhesive, we figure this board is good for a few generations at least.

This piece is a combination of artists coming together from varies perspectives to assemble a very simple but unique artistic and functional gaming table.

I designed it and built the main assembly, Mike did a lot of the detail work such as the dovetail keys. Mike and I teamed up on doing the gaming boards as they were obviously tedious to properly fit and assemble everything perfectly.

The hardware is hand hammered by Horton Brasses. The custom design for the trunions was a combination of my idea and Horton’s handy work and metal smithing skills. They provided the trunions, decorative bandings, drawer pulls, and the rings.

The CNC work to custom cut the backgammon board pieces was done by Dana Osterman (The Sign Smith & WCForge … he’s also a blacksmith) … We want to go more into the gaming markets so it made sense to have the CNC programming done to setup a backgammon board exactly as we wanted it. Now we can request pieces to assemble in any material we want.

We picked up the solid walnut legs from Osborne Wood Products – after thinking about it for a few minutes it was not cost effective for us to turn legs. The cost was very reasonable and the time involved just put it over the edge for the decision to go with Osborne’s products.

The finish is a hand rubbed Waterlox tung oil – satin, about 8 coats. The surface was hand scraped before finishing and sanded with 220, 320, then steel wool. A final coat of Renaissance wax sealed the deal.

We decided to do a formal marketing photo shoot with this piece as it was very unique. The photo shoot was at the studios of James Lear Photography. The models were Erik Hendrickson, Christian Robinson, Amy Anne, and Gina Michalski. Assume the photos that look the best were taken by Jim Lear, the rest was when I got lucky and something came out “ok …”

The gold and pink dresses were provided by Pamela Ptak. Pamela, a former Art Director for Cover Girl, now prospers in her own private design studio focused on developing custom dresses and soon a ready-ware line. Pam has been recently featured on Project Runway. Her philosophy of design matches with how many of us see furniture.

“I think of garments in terms of architecture…clothing as wearable sculpture. Not as a covering for nakedness…but as a statement of high-minded principles and thoughts. That it does in fact provide coverage is a matter of mere practicality.” – Pamela Ptak

The Tuxes were provided by Chazmatazz Formal Ware (Princeton, NJ)

The chess set is an antique Jaques of London set in boxwood and ebony on loan to us from one of our clients.

Wine and champagne for our photo extravaganza was provided by Hopewell Valley Vineyards.

Lumber for this project came from Willard Brothers of Lawrenceville, NJ. Except for the ebony and leopard wood – everything is local harvest.

And one cute extra – the solid silver & turquoise necklace was provided by Jennifer Smith-Righter …