Shout out to Adam!

Adam from Belvedere in Philly received 18 of my chocolate brown wood boxes to mount his natural Manzanita Branch for a wedding coming up in September. Adam is a bright and rising star in the special event society of greater Philadelphia. While on lunch his mother (a family business) sold this centerpiece to a client who came in wanting something different for a funeral. The client cried when she saw the finished piece loved it so much that she snapped a photo and sent it to Adam with thanks and gratitude.

Be careful Adam, September is right around the corner, you better hide these from your customers.

Foo Fighters

Foo Fighters-Wheels

I know what you're thinkin'
We were goin' down
I can feel the sinkin'
But then I came around

And everyone I've loved before
Flashed before my eyes
And nothin' mattered anymore
I looked into the sky

Well I wanted something better man
I wished for something new
And I wanted something beautiful
And wish for something true
Been lookin' for a reason man
Something to lose

When the wheels come down (When the wheels come down)
When the wheels touch ground (When the wheels touch ground)
And you feel like it's all over
There's another round for you
When the wheels come down (When the wheels come down)

Know your head is spinnin'
Broken hearts will mend
This is our beginning
Comin to an end

Well, you wanted something better man
You wished for something new
Well, you wanted something beautiful
Wished for something true
Been lookin for a reason man
Something to lose

When the wheels come down (When the wheels come down)
When the wheels touch ground (When the wheels touch ground)
And you feel like it's all over
There's another round for you
When the wheels come down (When the wheels come down)


When the wheels come down (When the wheels come down)
When the wheels touch ground (When the wheels touch ground)
And you feel like it's all over
There's another round for you
When the wheels come down (When the wheels come down)

When the wheels come down (When the wheels come down)
When the wheels touch ground (When the wheels touch ground)
And you feel like it's all over
There's another round for you
When the wheels come down (When the wheels come down)

Wood Boxes for Manzanita

There are a lot of people starting to use Manzanita Branch for table centerpieces. I cringe when I read post that advise submerging the base of the branch in Plaster of Paris. Although it works, trying to store the piece is cumbersome . We have been heavy on this trend for 3 years now and have tried it all. Several years ago I started making wood boxes for this very purpose. Nice thing about my boxes is that it takes only one 3 inch lag bolt to fasten the branch to the box. Very secure, nice thing is that you can remove the branches and store much easier until the next event.

My boxes have evolved since the first production. I have learned to stagger the shelf so that the box can be used to insert wet foam at just the right height on one side, turn the box over and you have a shallow shelf for laying stones, gems, whatever you choose without having to fill more then a half an inch layer. Not only does the box serve as a great mount for Manzanita, the box will hold any tall glass vase you have, sturdy and strong, they make a great solid surface for heavy water filled vases.

I make 3 sizes, 6", 12", and 15" square. They are 4 1/2 inches tall. I will paint them with primer and the color of latex enamel of your choosing. My favorite is Heirloom White that I age and distress, beautiful box when combined with sand blasted Manzanita. The 15" box has an optional wood cover available, great for elevating.

If interested, call me for pricing, usually ships in two weeks.

703.370.2525 for DC Metro

860.413.9266 for NY and New England

Sorry I haven't shared anything for the past several weeks, I've been crazy busy reorganizing my studio. I've been clearing away the clutter, moving all the prop stuff over to storage, in this heat, totally draining. However, I've been in this weird creative mode, which I like, it inspires me to tackle projects I've been ignoring. I recently launched a prop company, products for events, and have just completed my first order of wooden boxes to mount Manzanita Branches for a client in Philadelphia, so the path begins.

This early evening I was sitting in my studio enjoying a icy cold pale ale, the Barn Doors open and a wild thunderstorm rolled through, ahh, sweet summer rain!! So quiet so loud, a wet cool gust of fresh rain scented air cleansed the air within my studio, my lungs, and my mind. That was a refreshing moment, one that deeply replenishes the creative mind.

Your secret from Jean-Sebastien Monzani on Vimeo.

A handy little site devoted to glueing things together. Great to stick this one in the Bookmark folder! This to That

Thanks for the link How About Orange!

Justifying a Service Fee.

We charge 20% for delivery to cover delivery, installation, and removal. It takes every penny of that to insure that our perfect product presents itself as perfect. However, with this money we are there for the entire event, we assist the planners in load in and dock management, table installation, and we try and assist the caterers during the event by removing trash, organizing docks-preparing for load out. At the end of the event we are involved with the client, we make sure they never have to lift a finger and will secure and deliver anything the want us to from the venue, We make it a point to be the last vendor out and will usually clean up after others. This attentive service pays off a million fold. Not only do you gain a reputation as a team player, you gain respect from other vendors and the venue itself which parlays in recommendations and referrals. Your business is essence is just great to have around. If you give to the event instead of taking, your product, service, and reputation will sell itself and you will be able to raise your minimum and service fee. There will be much that your client will not see behind the curtain, but after all said and done you have given them way more then their monies worth but no good deed goes unrewarded. There is no such thing as a golden rule, you have to work hard for the gold.