dimensions that are appropriate for most designs

Appropriate dimensions are directly related to the proportions of the design,  Think of a model train being placed in a square cube.  It would look pretty lonely in there since the cube has a 1:1:1 ratio and a train would be more like 8:2:1 <ratios?>.  Using that same example you may want some text in there, and there would be plenty of room – but what would you notice first the text or the train?  Using the right proportional ratio for the design allows for a maximum scale of the design to accommodate the size available.

The majority of the dimensions we use are chosen to produce a stature and presence while remain as cost efficient as possible for each size.   The reality of material cost is directly proportional to the volume of glass used, its finishing and market production volume.  This is why we lean towards flatter standing pieces as opposed to cubes for a number of designs – they simply provide more presence at a similar cost of a smaller cube.

Exclusivity through size provides another aspect to consider.  While many people are visually impressed with our 8″, 10″, and larger standing blocks what many fail to appreciate is that these blocks take as much as three months to cool properly.  Couple this with the fact that most manufacturers could make more smaller cubes from that same raw material at a price that more people would generically purchase and you understand why these larger blocks and slabs come at a premium.  However, these larger scale shapes provides more area to engrave which means more detail available when needed.  Which means the letter “I” floating in the middle of an 8″ tall, 24lb block of crystal might be “artful” but really doesn’t leverage the available resolution of detail.

Perception – avoiding generic gift store/discount shapes

A number of people have contacted us in the past to ask for a unique and custom design for some special event and THEN ask that it be placed in a generic sized cube (like one they saw at a flea market or discount store).  These shapes also usually have heavy bevels which are too ornate (in our opinion look gaudy) and restrict the area we can engrave.

If we were to blindly accept this request and the buyer understood that the custom design cost would be more than a mass-produced piece  – what would the end result be.

Here is a scenario we envision.

The gift is presented and they open the gift box (is it a ring? – its too heavy) – the cover lifts off and the first thing they see is the overall shape/size (they think “I have seen these before”) – they look closer and marvel at the detail of the Sistine Chapel and their name engraved within.  They put the piece down and look at you and say “How thoughtful, you even got my name engraved!”

Never mind the Sistine Chapel or the fact that it is custom designed – in their mind, they saw one of these on a cash register at a local gas station, being hawked on eBay or by a street corner vendor.

It would be like putting thousands of dollars into a custom interior and engine in a Honda (oh, they do that!).  I guess the point we are trying to make is a custom design shouldn’t be confused with the generic mass produced shapes.

glass

What is commonly referred to as Crystal – is in fact Optical Grade Glass.  Lead crystal is slowly disappearing (due to its lead content) and Optical Glass has similar properties without the health issues.  Like crystal, Optical Glass is water clear without the tints of more common glass.   Most importantly it is distortion free – it has no flow lines, seeds or other imperfection within the medium.

Perhaps it is the purity of optical glass that is the most alluring aspect of this medium to us.  The ability to engrave it with a number of techniques allows for myriad possibilities to communicate your message.  We like to use this material as headpieces to transport the engraved design to the viewer.

Blocks provide us the room to focus more on the design within leveraging our expertise in Sub Surface Engraving.  Though basically rectangles, the design allows for dimensional representation, spatial juxtaposition and simply high detail dimensional laser art.

see some of the sizes

wood

The woods we use come in a variety of species, they are solid wood – never a veneer.  Each piece we use is personally hand selected for their character in grain and stability as a material.  We handle and oversee the cutting, dimensioning, and final shaping of each design we create.  Even our finishes are hand rubbed in oil to bring out the natural beauty in these woods.

Our use of natural woods is also very deliberate to imply tones and color into the character of each design.  In addition to their natural beauty, they are also excellent mediums for additional engraving onto – allowing the recipients’ name to be engraved without using a garish plaque.

see some of the woods

stone

Stone is a lovely material to build upon with the right design.  Mostly we work with dark marble and granite to support the contrast needed when engraving them.  Our “Absolute Black” stone is the most popular for two reasons 1) “black goes with anything” and 2) the visual contrast between the crystal engraving makes the design pop.  Though our Black is the most popular other marble and granite colors are available as well.

The stance and sheer weight of the Slab stones creates a presence in themselves which we find geometrically elegant.  Our designs in these mediums are best used in what we like to call “Monolithic” in sizes up to 24″ tall (fairly heavy).   

When a design doesn’t call for a Monolithic size, we find that the marble and granite flats provide an beautiful area to engrave upon for a number of designs that benefit from the high contrast of the black background.  Regardless of the size, the engraving of this stone is stunning and extremely detailed.

see some of the marble and granite

metal

We find metal to be an excellent medium to transfer some of our more contemporary designs into.  Machined aluminum provides some of our widest amount of finishing techniques to be applied to their surface ranging from a brushed finish to a mirror polish – all to enforce texture as a design element.

Structurally speaking, metals provide a tremendous opportunity to support or embellish our designs in optical glass or solid stone with a minimal amount of material.  This additional strength provides more open area beneath or around the piece while maintaining its stability.

others

There are other materials we find useful as a medium but like every design we create it would depend on how it was being used.  So should you have a need for a design incorporating a 24K Gold Riding Crop with Diamond Studs elevated on a brushed Titanium Stand with internal illumination – we should be able to help you (create it).