tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-83416044659309087182024-03-12T23:10:11.432-04:00Opposable Thumb CreativeArt, Design & Fabrication.
An experiment in "Form follows function"ERIC M ALLENhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10784196755605950375noreply@blogger.comBlogger14125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8341604465930908718.post-47844954802871307572012-06-08T14:33:00.000-04:002012-06-08T14:35:50.086-04:00OH NO! My blog has gone stale.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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It is true. My blog has gone stale.<br />
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I've been so busy that I just haven't been able to keep up with it.<br />
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I'm working on some new designs that aren't quite ready to be showcased yet. This is what is taking up most of my time.<br />
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Do keep an eye out though, because I am working on some really cool furniture, among other things.<br />
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They will be on view later in the year.<br />
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Come by my studio in October during the Philadelphia Open Studio Tours.<br />
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I'll have plenty for you to check out<br />
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EA-<br />
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<br />ERIC M ALLENhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10784196755605950375noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8341604465930908718.post-62572945810822894412011-02-22T17:00:00.002-05:002011-02-22T17:16:55.808-05:00Was swamped... Now I'm swimming in it. A 2010 re-cap.So as far as 2010 goes... It was a wash. At least for this blog anyway. Sometimes something has to give, and unfortunately this blog gave way. If you haven't noticed, updating this site was not happening very often. But, the rest of the year was pretty monumental! My non-virtual world was chock full of action, that left my virtual world by the wayside.<br />
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I was super busy in the Artlab. Came up with a bunch of new designs. Some of which I have already built the prototypes for and some that I'm about to break ground on. Acquired some new tools. Made major headway on setting up the shop and I bought a house! Had some major momentum going. Then found some major problems in the new place. SCCREEEEECHHH! That's when everything in the Artlab came to a halt. I had switch gears to <a href="http://www.thisoldhouse.com/toh/">Bob Villa</a>-mode and re-renovate the new house. Uhhgg.<br />
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Luckily, my Dad taught me well when it comes to house repair. I had the skills to pay the bills, so to speak. Without getting too into detail, I basically had to gut most of the house, tear up the first floor, jack up the staircase and then rebuild. With the support of my better half and some good friends and family, I made it through the 8 or 9 crazy hot <a href="http://www.philly2philly.com/politics_community/the_water_cooler/2010/7/6/44527/philadelphias_july_heat_wave_2010_will_be_one_the">heat waves</a> and didn't totally lose my mind while doing so(if anyone has ever been in this position, you know what I'm talking about). This past summer was probably the hottest I've experienced in Philly, and I was covered in brick and plaster dust for most of it.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Flash forward a bit, It took me a few months to recharge after all that <a href="http://stress.about.com/od/programsandpractices/a/exercise.htm">stress</a>, sweating and exhaustion. I made it through my first Thanksgiving as host. My birthday had an awesome lunar eclipse the night of (Stayed up really late and got some good pics) and the holidays went smoothly.<br />
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I've made it through the 2010 gauntlet that was my life. Coming out the other side a wiser, more experienced, knowledgeable person... I hope. Ha!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7eBRXSBvinw/TWQqMZsTjHI/AAAAAAAAAXQ/YPGMCFokOzg/s1600/IMG_1312.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7eBRXSBvinw/TWQqMZsTjHI/AAAAAAAAAXQ/YPGMCFokOzg/s320/IMG_1312.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Xo6WhkTb8lY/TWQpZOZFoWI/AAAAAAAAAXE/kuI8LIfihfk/s1600/IMG_1318.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Xo6WhkTb8lY/TWQpZOZFoWI/AAAAAAAAAXE/kuI8LIfihfk/s320/IMG_1318.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0zrhp3EiKgo/TWQpwS_zDDI/AAAAAAAAAXI/E5YWLpfEUMw/s1600/IMG_1335.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0zrhp3EiKgo/TWQpwS_zDDI/AAAAAAAAAXI/E5YWLpfEUMw/s320/IMG_1335.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-x8AbEAM90Gw/TWQp-9aobTI/AAAAAAAAAXM/zFKTgQvCL7A/s1600/IMG_1363.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-x8AbEAM90Gw/TWQp-9aobTI/AAAAAAAAAXM/zFKTgQvCL7A/s320/IMG_1363.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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Now its 2011 and I'm back in action. Going to try my best to update this blog on the regular and will be building my new website, <a href="http://www.industrialartlab.com/">www.industrialartlab.com</a> as well. Also, I have a years worth of projects that I will be posting soon, and new designs coming out. keep your eyes peeled for those and the new website. Hopefully the site will be up in late March. Thanks for reading.<br />
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EAERIC M ALLENhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10784196755605950375noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8341604465930908718.post-43104529241866934962010-10-06T13:46:00.000-04:002010-10-06T13:46:18.104-04:00It's POST time again!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.philaopenstudios.com/Default.aspx" id="ctl00_HyperLink2" style="color: maroon; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration: underline;" title="Philadelphia Open Studio Tours (POST)"><img height="42" src="http://www.philaopenstudios.com/images/MasterBanner2010.png" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px;" title="Philadelphia Open Studio Tours (POST)" width="400" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Hello to all,</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">It's the POST Philadelphia open studio tours this weekend. Come join me for a visit to my studio. It's this Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 9th and 10th, from 12-6pm both days. You can see what I've been up to lately and enjoy some foods and beverages. My studio is in The Viking Mills building on the 1st floor. Located at 2424 Coral Street, 19125 (across the street from the Coral Arts House) right on the corner of Coral and Hagert streets. Click </span><a href="http://www.philaopenstudios.com/ViewParticipantDetail.aspx?PublishFirstName=Eric&PublishLastName=Allen" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">HERE</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"> for more info. Hope </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">to see you there!</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #262626; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 21px;"><strong><span class="full-image-block ssNonEditable" style="display: block;"><span><img alt="" height="265" src="http://www.gridphilly.com/storage/assets/201007-016/metal_full.jpg?__SQUARESPACE_CACHEVERSION=1275929724265" style="border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-style: none; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-style: none; border-top-width: 0px;" width="400" /></span></span></strong></span></span><br />
<div style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;"><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;"></span></div></div>ERIC M ALLENhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10784196755605950375noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8341604465930908718.post-60441370209660725302010-06-13T21:16:00.003-04:002010-06-13T21:29:30.404-04:00Production Junction<div style="text-align: left;">So my friends over at GRID Magazine contacted me. They were in need of new counter top displays and distribution racks for their publication. The problem was, they needed them to be really durable, as well as functional. All while giving them a unique visual appeal to set them apart from the crowd.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"> The Problem: I needed to come up with two designs that would look great, give GRID the image it wants AND do the job. They needed to be constructed out of wood and metal. Plus, they need to be reproducible.</div><div style="text-align: left;"></div><div style="text-align: left;"> Design #1: The Counter Top Display needed to be really appealing and built solid. That way if it falls or gets knocked over, it doesn't break. Also, it needs to showcase the magazine well when it's on display.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"> Design #2: The Distribution Rack also needed to be really appealing and built solid. Hold as many magazines as possible, without looking over burdened. All while trying to compete with other more mainstream publication racks. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">After coming up with several design options for each and some deliberation with the folks at Grid...Alex, Claire, Jaime and I chose two designs that we thought would work best. Once those decisions were made...fabrication and production began.</div><div style="text-align: left;"></div><div style="text-align: left;">Here is a glimpse at the production line. </div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_v1JrBbQ9-Lw/TBVlIWOyjUI/AAAAAAAAAUc/JHMkR3Ph8jY/s1600/IMG_0659.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_v1JrBbQ9-Lw/TBVlIWOyjUI/AAAAAAAAAUc/JHMkR3Ph8jY/s320/IMG_0659.JPG" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_v1JrBbQ9-Lw/TBVlML-F-VI/AAAAAAAAAUk/YI8xYRruKBE/s1600/IMG_0647.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_v1JrBbQ9-Lw/TBVlML-F-VI/AAAAAAAAAUk/YI8xYRruKBE/s320/IMG_0647.JPG" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_v1JrBbQ9-Lw/TBVlPGkUqnI/AAAAAAAAAUs/7l67oBLPt-w/s1600/IMG_0784.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_v1JrBbQ9-Lw/TBVlPGkUqnI/AAAAAAAAAUs/7l67oBLPt-w/s320/IMG_0784.JPG" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_v1JrBbQ9-Lw/TBVlUZXWc7I/AAAAAAAAAU0/Rk5e2s1HOmk/s1600/IMG_0819.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_v1JrBbQ9-Lw/TBVlUZXWc7I/AAAAAAAAAU0/Rk5e2s1HOmk/s320/IMG_0819.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_v1JrBbQ9-Lw/TBVlXUX8XeI/AAAAAAAAAU8/eZ6uJuWlF2I/s1600/IMG_0816.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_v1JrBbQ9-Lw/TBVlXUX8XeI/AAAAAAAAAU8/eZ6uJuWlF2I/s400/IMG_0816.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Here is the Solution for Design Problem #1: The Counter Top Display. It utilizes a grid-like pattern made of steel with a knockout for the logo. Paired to a wood back and base. It is quite durable and has some weight to it for stability.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Here is the Solution for Design Problem #2: The Distribution Rack. It utilizes a three tiered vertical slot design. In order to showcase the logo multiple times when the rack is full with publications. Also, it gives it some dynamic appeal rather than a purely static, repetitive feel. The rack has a bottom shelf as well. This bottom shelf is for storing a fresh supply of magazines to replenish the upper tiers. This enables the rack to hold as many magazines as possible without over-burdening the "display" area of the Rack.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_v1JrBbQ9-Lw/TBVlmAxyUyI/AAAAAAAAAVc/e_VT9tjkZF4/s1600/IMG_0797.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_v1JrBbQ9-Lw/TBVlmAxyUyI/AAAAAAAAAVc/e_VT9tjkZF4/s400/IMG_0797.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Overall, this project went really well. I'm very happy with the outcome of the designs and the quality of production. My friends over at <a href="http://www.gridphilly.com/">GRID</a> are thrilled as well and they were a pleasure to work with. Go pick up the latest copy now and let me know what you think of their new digs. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">EA-</div>ERIC M ALLENhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10784196755605950375noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8341604465930908718.post-80486952971884984972009-10-07T11:32:00.013-04:002009-10-10T00:24:14.283-04:00The Coffee House: Brewed Bike Appeal.<br />.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_v1JrBbQ9-Lw/Ssy8k8NPXSI/AAAAAAAAARM/JAbDNZEee7Y/s1600-h/DSC00239.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_v1JrBbQ9-Lw/Ssy8k8NPXSI/AAAAAAAAARM/JAbDNZEee7Y/s400/DSC00239.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5389890196878613794" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_v1JrBbQ9-Lw/Ssy8k8NPXSI/AAAAAAAAARM/JAbDNZEee7Y/s1600-h/DSC00239.JPG"> </a><br />The Coffee House is a fairly new shop to the Philadelphia coffee scene. It's located at 113 W. Girard ave. right at Front and Girard. I stumbled upon it one day, because it was close to my studio and I was out getting lunch. What's better after lunch then a cup of coffee?<br /><br />After weeks of going in there I was hooked. Derrick, the owner, is a rad dude and his employees are all really nice people. If you like coffee and enjoy a good place to drink it...go check out The Coffee House! Not only that, It's now bike friendly too.<br /><br />Derrick, approached me one day about making a bike rack. There was nowhere to park your bike. You would have to either walk a block or risk locking to a very small tree. So... I got started sketching.<br /><br />Here is the design I came up with, that I like to call "Drop Top Down". It maximizes space well, offers a double duty purpose (bike rack and community bulletin board) and parks the most bikes in the smallest amount of space. It does so by utilizing angled bike parking. It works really well on tight sidewalks too. Why don't you go get a cup of coffee and ride a bike there. It might just become your new favorite Java spot.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_v1JrBbQ9-Lw/Ssy8krHOaeI/AAAAAAAAARE/deju7fYD2uM/s1600-h/DSC00197.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_v1JrBbQ9-Lw/Ssy8krHOaeI/AAAAAAAAARE/deju7fYD2uM/s400/DSC00197.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5389890192289982946" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_v1JrBbQ9-Lw/Ssy8kItLJ_I/AAAAAAAAAQ8/zsM8fV2_jfI/s1600-h/DSC00189.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_v1JrBbQ9-Lw/Ssy8kItLJ_I/AAAAAAAAAQ8/zsM8fV2_jfI/s400/DSC00189.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5389890183053912050" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_v1JrBbQ9-Lw/Ssy8j2NE_UI/AAAAAAAAAQ0/4ik-0qkBQf8/s1600-h/DSC00180.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_v1JrBbQ9-Lw/Ssy8j2NE_UI/AAAAAAAAAQ0/4ik-0qkBQf8/s400/DSC00180.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5389890178087451970" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_v1JrBbQ9-Lw/Ssy8jR51A_I/AAAAAAAAAQs/-q95ljp0mH4/s1600-h/DSC00185.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_v1JrBbQ9-Lw/Ssy8jR51A_I/AAAAAAAAAQs/-q95ljp0mH4/s400/DSC00185.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5389890168343036914" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_v1JrBbQ9-Lw/Ssy73juyepI/AAAAAAAAAQk/qjPEXyIaJ1g/s1600-h/DSC00191.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_v1JrBbQ9-Lw/Ssy73juyepI/AAAAAAAAAQk/qjPEXyIaJ1g/s400/DSC00191.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5389889417214327442" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_v1JrBbQ9-Lw/Ssy73EwYF9I/AAAAAAAAAQc/IcXtigTQaPk/s1600-h/DSC00182.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_v1JrBbQ9-Lw/Ssy73EwYF9I/AAAAAAAAAQc/IcXtigTQaPk/s400/DSC00182.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5389889408899487698" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_v1JrBbQ9-Lw/Ssy72utoF7I/AAAAAAAAAQU/u-GbZxQXP5Q/s1600-h/DSC00208.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_v1JrBbQ9-Lw/Ssy72utoF7I/AAAAAAAAAQU/u-GbZxQXP5Q/s400/DSC00208.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5389889402982373298" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_v1JrBbQ9-Lw/Ssy72LpJKtI/AAAAAAAAAQM/wAy-sNF3ih4/s1600-h/DSC00210.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_v1JrBbQ9-Lw/Ssy72LpJKtI/AAAAAAAAAQM/wAy-sNF3ih4/s400/DSC00210.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5389889393568328402" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_v1JrBbQ9-Lw/Ssy710g3ZxI/AAAAAAAAAQE/P1THKcB5YmA/s1600-h/DSC00213.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_v1JrBbQ9-Lw/Ssy710g3ZxI/AAAAAAAAAQE/P1THKcB5YmA/s400/DSC00213.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5389889387359594258" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_v1JrBbQ9-Lw/Ssy6gOomrCI/AAAAAAAAAP8/JsDN-2OpZxE/s1600-h/DSC00185.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_v1JrBbQ9-Lw/Ssy6gOomrCI/AAAAAAAAAP8/JsDN-2OpZxE/s400/DSC00185.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5389887916902624290" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_v1JrBbQ9-Lw/Ssy6fk6IOsI/AAAAAAAAAP0/M7rvGJ8V0Sw/s1600-h/DSC00186.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_v1JrBbQ9-Lw/Ssy6fk6IOsI/AAAAAAAAAP0/M7rvGJ8V0Sw/s400/DSC00186.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5389887905701837506" border="0" /></a><br />Derrick also wanted to bookend the bulletin board with plants, so I fabricated planter trays on each end.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_v1JrBbQ9-Lw/Ssy6fZyk9GI/AAAAAAAAAPs/Wo_iadELdQw/s1600-h/DSC00183.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_v1JrBbQ9-Lw/Ssy6fZyk9GI/AAAAAAAAAPs/Wo_iadELdQw/s400/DSC00183.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5389887902717375586" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_v1JrBbQ9-Lw/Ssy6evLFAYI/AAAAAAAAAPc/e-fj-ueGFC8/s1600-h/DSC00188.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_v1JrBbQ9-Lw/Ssy6evLFAYI/AAAAAAAAAPc/e-fj-ueGFC8/s400/DSC00188.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5389887891277414786" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_v1JrBbQ9-Lw/Ssy5x_2_ljI/AAAAAAAAAPU/8qYyWOL2lno/s1600-h/DSC00192.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_v1JrBbQ9-Lw/Ssy5x_2_ljI/AAAAAAAAAPU/8qYyWOL2lno/s400/DSC00192.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5389887122662463026" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_v1JrBbQ9-Lw/Ssy5xY-GiWI/AAAAAAAAAPM/pD7CVH_kgPE/s1600-h/DSC00202.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_v1JrBbQ9-Lw/Ssy5xY-GiWI/AAAAAAAAAPM/pD7CVH_kgPE/s400/DSC00202.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5389887112223295842" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_v1JrBbQ9-Lw/Ssy5xClzT5I/AAAAAAAAAPE/xghiwNX2a3U/s1600-h/DSC00194.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_v1JrBbQ9-Lw/Ssy5xClzT5I/AAAAAAAAAPE/xghiwNX2a3U/s400/DSC00194.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5389887106215792530" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_v1JrBbQ9-Lw/Ssy5wqmOTNI/AAAAAAAAAO8/5EvNqpGyaNQ/s1600-h/DSC00198.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_v1JrBbQ9-Lw/Ssy5wqmOTNI/AAAAAAAAAO8/5EvNqpGyaNQ/s400/DSC00198.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5389887099775110354" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_v1JrBbQ9-Lw/Ssy5wArLMqI/AAAAAAAAAO0/a2DXBgfjeLA/s1600-h/DSC00230.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_v1JrBbQ9-Lw/Ssy5wArLMqI/AAAAAAAAAO0/a2DXBgfjeLA/s400/DSC00230.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5389887088521589410" border="0" /> </a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_v1JrBbQ9-Lw/Ss1LKWda7ZI/AAAAAAAAAS8/UOY8vIRTxyg/s1600-h/DSC00046.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_v1JrBbQ9-Lw/Ss1LKWda7ZI/AAAAAAAAAS8/UOY8vIRTxyg/s400/DSC00046.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5390046970232106386" border="0" /> </a>Beyond what it was designed for...apparently it can accommodate scooter parking as well. Hmmm.ERIC M ALLENhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10784196755605950375noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8341604465930908718.post-12079733783335906682009-09-24T00:38:00.009-04:002009-09-24T01:20:37.024-04:00A Little Reassurance.My friend Bob came to me one day with a problem. He, as many Philadelphians can relate to, wanted a secure place to lock his bikes at home. With no room inside, he needed to resort to locking his two bikes outside. Oh, what luxury space can be.<br /><br />I suggested the obvious...bike racks of course. Bob, however did not want to lock them on the street in front of his house. Rather, he wanted to lock them in the somewhat wide breezeway leading to his back yard. This way they could be safe, AND out of the elements. Good idea.<br /><br />With little room to spare, I came up with a hitching post style bike rack for each bike. I wanted to keep them simple and to the point, while giving them a bit of style. Take a look.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_v1JrBbQ9-Lw/Srr-lHw9PfI/AAAAAAAAAMI/j8Kn3o6g3uQ/s1600-h/DSC00714.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_v1JrBbQ9-Lw/Srr-lHw9PfI/AAAAAAAAAMI/j8Kn3o6g3uQ/s400/DSC00714.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5384896218167852530" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_v1JrBbQ9-Lw/Srr-IqsDBEI/AAAAAAAAAMA/DS7xudioxaY/s1600-h/DSC00718.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_v1JrBbQ9-Lw/Srr-IqsDBEI/AAAAAAAAAMA/DS7xudioxaY/s400/DSC00718.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5384895729326294082" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_v1JrBbQ9-Lw/Srr96tEr7BI/AAAAAAAAAL4/uWCYDlGeILs/s1600-h/DSC00719.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_v1JrBbQ9-Lw/Srr96tEr7BI/AAAAAAAAAL4/uWCYDlGeILs/s400/DSC00719.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5384895489448340498" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_v1JrBbQ9-Lw/Srr9rXlnHZI/AAAAAAAAALw/2jAFxK8uwbw/s1600-h/DSC00720.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_v1JrBbQ9-Lw/Srr9rXlnHZI/AAAAAAAAALw/2jAFxK8uwbw/s400/DSC00720.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5384895225982819730" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_v1JrBbQ9-Lw/Srr9W9jJWSI/AAAAAAAAALo/7KkxY709Uak/s1600-h/DSC00716.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_v1JrBbQ9-Lw/Srr9W9jJWSI/AAAAAAAAALo/7KkxY709Uak/s400/DSC00716.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5384894875395774754" border="0" /></a> These racks turned out well. They are simple and to the point, yet kind of elegant. I like 'em! What do you think?<br />EA-ERIC M ALLENhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10784196755605950375noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8341604465930908718.post-76100035089541171732009-09-10T18:42:00.023-04:002009-09-10T22:13:05.888-04:00Eye Candy Anyone?I've had another request for eye appealing security windows. <a href="http://eyecandyvision.com/index.html">Eye Candy's Tim Sagges</a> gave me a call with the question: "Can you do window bars that don't look like window bars?". I love a good challenge. "Of course I can."<br /><br />See, Tim just expanded his small business from one store, to two. He recently opened a store in Liberties Walk, An ever growing entity in Northern Liberties, and he wants to protect his investment with class. He needs security bars across his six window storefront.<br /><br />Tim, had shown me some examples of what he had seen and what he liked, colors, etc., then we went from there. With a little thought, some design time and a little artistic license, I came up with a set of drawings.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_v1JrBbQ9-Lw/Sqmvdul7UmI/AAAAAAAAALQ/6Xc8_KW4E2Q/s1600-h/IMG_0462.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_v1JrBbQ9-Lw/Sqmvdul7UmI/AAAAAAAAALQ/6Xc8_KW4E2Q/s400/IMG_0462.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5380024155128943202" border="0" /></a><br />I went with a <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Piet_Mondrian">Mondrian</a> style grid pattern. It's has a light feel, a flowing pattern and some style. This way the store has security with a sense of design, that overshadows the actual "window bars". They will also appear less static due to the hierarchy in grid pattern, giving an air of movement.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_v1JrBbQ9-Lw/Sqmv1zLSn1I/AAAAAAAAALY/hPgxwYddLQQ/s1600-h/IMG_0465.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_v1JrBbQ9-Lw/Sqmv1zLSn1I/AAAAAAAAALY/hPgxwYddLQQ/s400/IMG_0465.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5380024568676261714" border="0" /></a><br />Tim liked the design... Yee-haw! That's cowboy for: Awesome! Now I just needed to figure out how to make it. Sometimes it's hard to translate a drawing into actual procedure. That definitely was the hardest part of this project. But, I figured it out and came up with a plan of action.<br /><br />I wound up using 1 1/4" x 1/8" flat steel as the main material. Then, I laid out each window design with a grid pattern on my welding table. With the pattern set, I cut each piece to length, then actually slotted all the intersections. It was a little time consuming (maybe a little more than I would have liked), but the outcome was exactly what I wanted. Check it out.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_v1JrBbQ9-Lw/SqmMtlBzxeI/AAAAAAAAAJY/GMTCWh_IpoI/s1600-h/DSCN1117.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_v1JrBbQ9-Lw/SqmMtlBzxeI/AAAAAAAAAJY/GMTCWh_IpoI/s400/DSCN1117.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5379985944532469218" border="0" /></a>After many, many hours and once again, lots of coffee... the process was dialed and the fabrication was complete. I slapped on a couple coats of color-matched paint and called it a day. I'm proud to say this one is a success. Take a look at the finished work.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_v1JrBbQ9-Lw/SqmS1nnvT2I/AAAAAAAAAJg/3Wk_cbmfYFg/s1600-h/IMG_0044.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_v1JrBbQ9-Lw/SqmS1nnvT2I/AAAAAAAAAJg/3Wk_cbmfYFg/s400/IMG_0044.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5379992679737151330" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_v1JrBbQ9-Lw/SqmTPeHfYpI/AAAAAAAAAJo/Kjb_JmWXSEo/s1600-h/IMG_0049.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_v1JrBbQ9-Lw/SqmTPeHfYpI/AAAAAAAAAJo/Kjb_JmWXSEo/s400/IMG_0049.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5379993123862569618" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_v1JrBbQ9-Lw/SqmToxBuEGI/AAAAAAAAAJw/kWqZGr7EReA/s1600-h/IMG_0050.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_v1JrBbQ9-Lw/SqmToxBuEGI/AAAAAAAAAJw/kWqZGr7EReA/s400/IMG_0050.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5379993558435369058" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_v1JrBbQ9-Lw/SqmUBBJUrCI/AAAAAAAAAJ4/1wO8fG_XQjE/s1600-h/IMG_0051.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_v1JrBbQ9-Lw/SqmUBBJUrCI/AAAAAAAAAJ4/1wO8fG_XQjE/s400/IMG_0051.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5379993975079087138" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_v1JrBbQ9-Lw/SqmUXVCSdfI/AAAAAAAAAKA/7-QiaMdIEYo/s1600-h/IMG_0055.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_v1JrBbQ9-Lw/SqmUXVCSdfI/AAAAAAAAAKA/7-QiaMdIEYo/s400/IMG_0055.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5379994358375413234" border="0" /></a>Hey look, there's Tim.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_v1JrBbQ9-Lw/SqmVoSMWmWI/AAAAAAAAAKI/8kSOgLaRm0g/s1600-h/IMG_0101.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_v1JrBbQ9-Lw/SqmVoSMWmWI/AAAAAAAAAKI/8kSOgLaRm0g/s400/IMG_0101.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5379995749181725026" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_v1JrBbQ9-Lw/SqmWUvvfYcI/AAAAAAAAAKQ/GgyI4e1m2Fg/s1600-h/IMG_0099.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_v1JrBbQ9-Lw/SqmWUvvfYcI/AAAAAAAAAKQ/GgyI4e1m2Fg/s400/IMG_0099.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5379996513027973570" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_v1JrBbQ9-Lw/SqmW0-7Y0NI/AAAAAAAAAKY/D9ffUPOgosI/s1600-h/IMG_0107.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_v1JrBbQ9-Lw/SqmW0-7Y0NI/AAAAAAAAAKY/D9ffUPOgosI/s400/IMG_0107.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5379997066860220626" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_v1JrBbQ9-Lw/SqmXVCsJiQI/AAAAAAAAAKg/MkDz47jDCNk/s1600-h/IMG_0113.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_v1JrBbQ9-Lw/SqmXVCsJiQI/AAAAAAAAAKg/MkDz47jDCNk/s400/IMG_0113.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5379997617625860354" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_v1JrBbQ9-Lw/SqmXv2HkmtI/AAAAAAAAAKo/RrLKdkodrQE/s1600-h/IMG_0114.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_v1JrBbQ9-Lw/SqmXv2HkmtI/AAAAAAAAAKo/RrLKdkodrQE/s400/IMG_0114.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5379998078107687634" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_v1JrBbQ9-Lw/SqmYODl0vNI/AAAAAAAAAKw/PNg2iZTK4to/s1600-h/IMG_0120.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_v1JrBbQ9-Lw/SqmYODl0vNI/AAAAAAAAAKw/PNg2iZTK4to/s400/IMG_0120.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5379998597120310482" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_v1JrBbQ9-Lw/SqmYv-6F3aI/AAAAAAAAAK4/L-sW6Jhfl-4/s1600-h/IMG_0125.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_v1JrBbQ9-Lw/SqmYv-6F3aI/AAAAAAAAAK4/L-sW6Jhfl-4/s400/IMG_0125.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5379999179978694050" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_v1JrBbQ9-Lw/SqmZRiARYHI/AAAAAAAAALA/YLH-TrGmBsk/s1600-h/IMG_0129.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_v1JrBbQ9-Lw/SqmZRiARYHI/AAAAAAAAALA/YLH-TrGmBsk/s400/IMG_0129.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5379999756335538290" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_v1JrBbQ9-Lw/SqmZvjLbQyI/AAAAAAAAALI/w69USJEl20Y/s1600-h/IMG_0104.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_v1JrBbQ9-Lw/SqmZvjLbQyI/AAAAAAAAALI/w69USJEl20Y/s400/IMG_0104.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5380000272046834466" border="0" /></a>The store looks great. The windows look great. Tim's Happy. I'm Happy. Another great project completed. So, if you want a closer look, go to the store and see for yourself.<br />EA-<br /><span style="display: block;" id="formatbar_Buttons"><span class="on" style="display: block;" id="formatbar_Add_Image" title="Add Image" onmouseover="ButtonHoverOn(this);" onmouseout="ButtonHoverOff(this);" onmouseup="addImage();" onmousedown="CheckFormatting(event);;ButtonMouseDown(this);"><img src="http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif" alt="Add Image" class="gl_photo" border="0" /></span></span>ERIC M ALLENhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10784196755605950375noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8341604465930908718.post-37456029337481915072009-09-10T16:33:00.010-04:002009-09-10T22:25:55.727-04:00Rays of Sunshine in the CityMy Friend Ben needed some much needed protection for his basement windows. However, he didn't want it to look that way. So, I needed to make it functional, all while keeping it feeling positive.<br /><br />After some thought and using an old railing that he had salvaged, we came up with a design that will do just that. It's nice to make something that hopefully will add some cheer and a feeling of security.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_v1JrBbQ9-Lw/Sqlk80c3s_I/AAAAAAAAAIo/dFTUlfan-Sc/s1600-h/DSCN1032.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_v1JrBbQ9-Lw/Sqlk80c3s_I/AAAAAAAAAIo/dFTUlfan-Sc/s400/DSCN1032.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5379942225905431538" border="0" /></a>"What is it?" you ask.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_v1JrBbQ9-Lw/SqllgQsOTXI/AAAAAAAAAIw/zbaXYimwSfY/s1600-h/DSCN1031.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_v1JrBbQ9-Lw/SqllgQsOTXI/AAAAAAAAAIw/zbaXYimwSfY/s400/DSCN1031.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5379942834781441394" border="0" /></a>A sunrise for a new day.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_v1JrBbQ9-Lw/Sqll2Y3o5pI/AAAAAAAAAI4/g3x40s1Mc5A/s1600-h/DSCN1023.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_v1JrBbQ9-Lw/Sqll2Y3o5pI/AAAAAAAAAI4/g3x40s1Mc5A/s400/DSCN1023.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5379943214933927570" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_v1JrBbQ9-Lw/SqlmJk2DIkI/AAAAAAAAAJA/-B-nZQLoxi8/s1600-h/DSCN1028.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_v1JrBbQ9-Lw/SqlmJk2DIkI/AAAAAAAAAJA/-B-nZQLoxi8/s400/DSCN1028.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5379943544565998146" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_v1JrBbQ9-Lw/SqlmbZvQkJI/AAAAAAAAAJI/11Ah10O7x6E/s1600-h/DSCN1027.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_v1JrBbQ9-Lw/SqlmbZvQkJI/AAAAAAAAAJI/11Ah10O7x6E/s400/DSCN1027.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5379943850822373522" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_v1JrBbQ9-Lw/Sqlmv9E_1JI/AAAAAAAAAJQ/fTL4W0wNM_0/s1600-h/DSCN1030.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_v1JrBbQ9-Lw/Sqlmv9E_1JI/AAAAAAAAAJQ/fTL4W0wNM_0/s400/DSCN1030.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5379944203906176146" border="0" /></a>Those wavy pieces came from a railing that was about 80 yrs. old and destined for the scrap heap. It was satisfying to reuse them and I feel the final form is pleasing to the eye.<br />EA-<br /><br />p.s.- some pics of the painted(most likely a much brighter color) and installed window's will be posted soon.ERIC M ALLENhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10784196755605950375noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8341604465930908718.post-30171735799654001862009-07-24T13:20:00.013-04:002009-07-24T14:06:07.117-04:00Blacksmithery...Why the Hell not?My friend Beth, who is a wood worker, asked me if I could make a specific wood turning tool for her. See she needed a tool for turning out wooden bowls, cups, etc. After showing me a picture of what she needed, I agreed to think about it.<br /><br />Having never really attempted this before, I was a little apprehensive about the whole process. See, Blacksmithery, is the process of forging iron or steel into objects. This is done by using tools to hammer, bend or cut the metal while extremely hot. This seemed to be a daunting task, but what the hell, I'll give it a shot.<br /><br />First, I needed a proper hammer, to figure out my heat and to dust off the old anvil. Then I began my learning experience. After a couple test runs, and a lot of hammering... this is what I came up with. Check it out. You might just say it "turned" out well. Ha ha, sorry for the bad pun... I couldn't resist. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_v1JrBbQ9-Lw/SmnyoTZYe5I/AAAAAAAAAHA/3YWFnn1lnqM/s1600-h/DSCN1099.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_v1JrBbQ9-Lw/SmnyoTZYe5I/AAAAAAAAAHA/3YWFnn1lnqM/s400/DSCN1099.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362083605576711058" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_v1JrBbQ9-Lw/Smny5NMb8II/AAAAAAAAAHI/maz3PA7BN4k/s1600-h/DSCN1100.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_v1JrBbQ9-Lw/Smny5NMb8II/AAAAAAAAAHI/maz3PA7BN4k/s400/DSCN1100.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362083895969575042" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_v1JrBbQ9-Lw/Smn0DAg2R5I/AAAAAAAAAHQ/hlNtZVUHhkU/s1600-h/DSCN1104.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_v1JrBbQ9-Lw/Smn0DAg2R5I/AAAAAAAAAHQ/hlNtZVUHhkU/s400/DSCN1104.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362085163875846034" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_v1JrBbQ9-Lw/Smn0ZbCEjXI/AAAAAAAAAHY/NxrtnuaRSZM/s1600-h/DSCN1106.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_v1JrBbQ9-Lw/Smn0ZbCEjXI/AAAAAAAAAHY/NxrtnuaRSZM/s400/DSCN1106.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362085548951637362" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_v1JrBbQ9-Lw/Smn0vd7lDCI/AAAAAAAAAHg/kBXwN_j7IZY/s1600-h/DSCN1108.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_v1JrBbQ9-Lw/Smn0vd7lDCI/AAAAAAAAAHg/kBXwN_j7IZY/s400/DSCN1108.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362085927686835234" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_v1JrBbQ9-Lw/Smn066JrvkI/AAAAAAAAAHo/E3-BWnvXSBI/s1600-h/DSCN1107.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_v1JrBbQ9-Lw/Smn066JrvkI/AAAAAAAAAHo/E3-BWnvXSBI/s400/DSCN1107.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362086124240748098" border="0" /></a>Thanks for taking a look. For more info on Blacksmithery, check out <a href="http://www.anvilfire.com">www.anvilfire.com</a>ERIC M ALLENhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10784196755605950375noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8341604465930908718.post-24037135406439926172009-07-21T16:47:00.009-04:002009-07-21T18:08:00.766-04:00Theft and NecessityAt this point, the work is starting to roll in and become a bit more steady. This is a nice feeling. So, one morning I walk out to my truck to go pick up supplies... and then a not so nice feeling comes over me. I can't find my truck. Did I forget where I parked it? I mean, that is a possibility. I walk to the other side of my building... still no truck. Dammit! Walk back over to where I originally thought it was parked and then I see what happened...<br /><br />Just like many times before, riding my bike through the rough neighborhood in which I live in good ol' Philadelphia. You have to watch out for the all too often broken bottle or... piles of broken window glass from a car that used to be there. My Truck, has been STOLEN! Ahhhhhhhhh!!!<br /><br />Apparently the night before a bunch of cars on my street were vandalized and stolen. My truck being one of them. So I called the cops and filled out the report. Nothing else I could do. The officer that took my report said I would probably get it back, just not in the same condition. I.E. totally screwed up.<br /><br />So I waited a few days, decided to start looking for it on my own, with no luck. After about a week I decided to move on and start looking for another. As soon as I made peace with It being gone...I got a phone call. They found my truck! Turns out whoever stole it, decided to return it a half block away from my building. Weird huh?<br /><br />When I picked it up, I was surprised that it wasn't in that bad of shape. They broke the driver side window and stabbed my center console with a screwdriver about 50 times when they couldn't get the CD player out. Jerks. But that was about it. Oh they also stole my old school B&M hot rod shift knob and the original(it was in the glove box). Turns out that finding a shift knob for a Toyota pickup in a junkyard in Philly is impossible.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_v1JrBbQ9-Lw/SmY18pd0bXI/AAAAAAAAAGY/mGHZ_7Q8Y4U/s1600-h/DSCN0906.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_v1JrBbQ9-Lw/SmY18pd0bXI/AAAAAAAAAGY/mGHZ_7Q8Y4U/s320/DSCN0906.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361031722470501746" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_v1JrBbQ9-Lw/SmY7mQ7u0kI/AAAAAAAAAGw/mGGx8c_7qrA/s1600-h/DSCN0897.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_v1JrBbQ9-Lw/SmY7mQ7u0kI/AAAAAAAAAGw/mGGx8c_7qrA/s320/DSCN0897.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361037934997721666" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_v1JrBbQ9-Lw/SmY73XiNfAI/AAAAAAAAAG4/kf22Ki8vQ9I/s1600-h/DSCN0905.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_v1JrBbQ9-Lw/SmY73XiNfAI/AAAAAAAAAG4/kf22Ki8vQ9I/s320/DSCN0905.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361038228827503618" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_v1JrBbQ9-Lw/SmY18pd0bXI/AAAAAAAAAGY/mGHZ_7Q8Y4U/s1600-h/DSCN0906.JPG"> </a><br />So after cleaning up all the glass, replacing the window and piecing together my stabbed and broken console... I was still short a shift knob. Time to fabricate. In homage to my old shift knob, I decided to do something classic and made out of steel. So here it is:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_v1JrBbQ9-Lw/SmY3jjQAfTI/AAAAAAAAAGg/MGQb4ZE3MMc/s1600-h/DSCN0979.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_v1JrBbQ9-Lw/SmY3jjQAfTI/AAAAAAAAAGg/MGQb4ZE3MMc/s320/DSCN0979.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361033490328485170" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_v1JrBbQ9-Lw/SmY4oNiMEsI/AAAAAAAAAGo/gxxX-YKD0nA/s1600-h/DSCN0984.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_v1JrBbQ9-Lw/SmY4oNiMEsI/AAAAAAAAAGo/gxxX-YKD0nA/s320/DSCN0984.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361034669910135490" border="0" /></a> It's my new handmade custom hollow steel Black Die shift knob. Looks cool and I think it makes my truck faster too!ERIC M ALLENhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10784196755605950375noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8341604465930908718.post-4412692636595465652009-02-25T12:15:00.017-05:002009-02-27T10:57:47.620-05:00A Learning ExperienceThe Solar-powered bike rack project for Honey's took some doing. Once all the details were worked out and the project was rolling along...I definitely hit some bumps along the way. Little things that you don't realize are gonna take forever...do. Mistakes are inevitable and progress is key. I learned a lot about procedure and technique. The right way of doing things and the infinite amount of possibilities that the proper tools offer.<br /><br />I made sculpture for art sake in college and it was fun. But making form to suit function in a creative way is awesome! Designing work on paper and then making it real is quite a rewarding feeling for me. I love making things.<br /><br />After countless hours, coffee breaks and lots of hard work...Here is the final outcome. please take a look.<br /><br />First, the "Spiral".<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_v1JrBbQ9-Lw/SaWDEJInORI/AAAAAAAAADQ/ibVtPjNyq6o/s1600-h/DSC00097.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 352px; height: 469px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_v1JrBbQ9-Lw/SaWDEJInORI/AAAAAAAAADQ/ibVtPjNyq6o/s320/DSC00097.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5306791843120757010" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_v1JrBbQ9-Lw/SaWDD5qV8uI/AAAAAAAAADI/fkC3o4VjNbI/s1600-h/DSCN1091.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_v1JrBbQ9-Lw/SaWDD5qV8uI/AAAAAAAAADI/fkC3o4VjNbI/s320/DSCN1091.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5306791838967263970" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Notice the details at each end of the spiral.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_v1JrBbQ9-Lw/SaWEzbqEQ4I/AAAAAAAAADg/Ef0Z2JLeM4Q/s1600-h/IMG_0058.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 407px; height: 542px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_v1JrBbQ9-Lw/SaWEzbqEQ4I/AAAAAAAAADg/Ef0Z2JLeM4Q/s320/IMG_0058.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5306793755058389890" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_v1JrBbQ9-Lw/SaWEzgFw9TI/AAAAAAAAADo/8mkM9tBckO0/s1600-h/IMG_0060.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 409px; height: 545px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_v1JrBbQ9-Lw/SaWEzgFw9TI/AAAAAAAAADo/8mkM9tBckO0/s320/IMG_0060.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5306793756248306994" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Next is the "Grid". Also notice that they have been powder coated clear to keep that raw metal feel and so they can patina.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_v1JrBbQ9-Lw/SaWID-H6oHI/AAAAAAAAADw/N0hMotY-7tU/s1600-h/IMG_0063.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 481px; height: 361px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_v1JrBbQ9-Lw/SaWID-H6oHI/AAAAAAAAADw/N0hMotY-7tU/s400/IMG_0063.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5306797337723183218" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_v1JrBbQ9-Lw/SaWPLBJSkGI/AAAAAAAAAEQ/gImtpOuVPKA/s1600-h/IMG_0090.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_v1JrBbQ9-Lw/SaWPLBJSkGI/AAAAAAAAAEQ/gImtpOuVPKA/s400/IMG_0090.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5306805155374731362" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_v1JrBbQ9-Lw/SaWQjWhyjLI/AAAAAAAAAEY/P04yQpgX8z4/s1600-h/IMG_0091.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_v1JrBbQ9-Lw/SaWQjWhyjLI/AAAAAAAAAEY/P04yQpgX8z4/s400/IMG_0091.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5306806672943123634" border="0" /></a>I really like this piece. It turned out exactly how I envisioned it.<br /><br />Here's the face...<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_v1JrBbQ9-Lw/SaWLIkIopEI/AAAAAAAAAEI/8hiUjZ5A6po/s1600-h/IMG_0062.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_v1JrBbQ9-Lw/SaWLIkIopEI/AAAAAAAAAEI/8hiUjZ5A6po/s400/IMG_0062.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5306800715181106242" border="0" /></a>and the display base.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_v1JrBbQ9-Lw/SaWKVgKiIwI/AAAAAAAAAEA/HwPBOj-7ZYE/s1600-h/IMG_0080.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_v1JrBbQ9-Lw/SaWKVgKiIwI/AAAAAAAAAEA/HwPBOj-7ZYE/s400/IMG_0080.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5306799837941998338" border="0" /></a><br />Then the "Cactus". I like the proportions on this one. It's simple and tall and it's all in the details.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_v1JrBbQ9-Lw/SaWSezgRICI/AAAAAAAAAEg/sYnb1aLguwY/s1600-h/DSC00094.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_v1JrBbQ9-Lw/SaWSezgRICI/AAAAAAAAAEg/sYnb1aLguwY/s400/DSC00094.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5306808793845276706" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_v1JrBbQ9-Lw/SaWU5fhiw6I/AAAAAAAAAEo/NiQwO-A84P0/s1600-h/IMG_0087.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_v1JrBbQ9-Lw/SaWU5fhiw6I/AAAAAAAAAEo/NiQwO-A84P0/s400/IMG_0087.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5306811451361641378" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_v1JrBbQ9-Lw/SaWU5p73iPI/AAAAAAAAAEw/_h6DV8j-twE/s1600-h/IMG_0084.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_v1JrBbQ9-Lw/SaWU5p73iPI/AAAAAAAAAEw/_h6DV8j-twE/s400/IMG_0084.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5306811454156409074" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_v1JrBbQ9-Lw/SaWU6DF6rPI/AAAAAAAAAE4/VvqQGmLmChU/s1600-h/IMG_0076.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_v1JrBbQ9-Lw/SaWU6DF6rPI/AAAAAAAAAE4/VvqQGmLmChU/s400/IMG_0076.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5306811460909444338" border="0" /></a>Finally, all three in a row. They look nice all lined up, especially when they are loaded with bikes. Soon I'll post some pics of them lit up at night, so you can see them in full effect. Please go check em' out next time you're up that way. If you like, leave a comment and let me know what you think . Thanks.<br /><span style="display: block;" id="formatbar_Buttons"><span class="on" style="display: block;" id="formatbar_Add_Image" title="Add Image" onmouseover="ButtonHoverOn(this);" onmouseout="ButtonHoverOff(this);" onmouseup="addImage();" onmousedown="CheckFormatting(event);;ButtonMouseDown(this);"><img src="http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif" alt="Add Image" class="gl_photo" border="0" /></span></span>ERIC M ALLENhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10784196755605950375noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8341604465930908718.post-78555308419464405502009-02-24T18:53:00.010-05:002009-02-25T12:12:44.744-05:00Flying or Falling?Now that I had declared independence...What do I do with myself? The hardest thing to adjust to, was being constructive on my own time. At first I thought "This is AWESOME! I can do whatever I want!". That's the nice thing about being your own boss. Yup it's awesome alright, until you realize you have no work. That's the weird thing. I've never had to depend on myself to find work before. Don't get me wrong, I've been doing freelance for years, but never without a "day job". It's always been extra cash. Now it's paying the bills.<br /><br />Since I didn't have any work, and no real direction other that a skill set...I wasn't really making the most of this venture. To bide my time and figure some things out while trying to find creative work, I took on a few odd jobs. They varied from working on friend's houses, bike work, to a day or two here and there working for my Pop as an electrician. Luckily, my Dad has taught me a lot in my lifetime so far, I find myself very capable of finding work. Especially when it comes to house repair and restoration. See I was my Dad's helper(whether I wanted to or not) as a kid. I'm glad this was the case, because I learned plenty working on my parent's house.<br /><br />About a month had gone by, doing odd jobs and sorting out my situation, and then BAM! Around mid-March 2008 I found my first job. While talking to my friends over at Honey's, the topic of bike racks, or lack there of, came up. They needed bike racks desperately. I'm a bike rider, and going there on the weekends, sometimes I would have to park two blocks away. After some discussion and some sketches, this project was set in motion. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_v1JrBbQ9-Lw/SaSSjHi5p_I/AAAAAAAAACY/2GpdV1deWJU/s1600-h/DSCN0922.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_v1JrBbQ9-Lw/SaSSjHi5p_I/AAAAAAAAACY/2GpdV1deWJU/s320/DSCN0922.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5306527392967796722" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Honey's Sit n' Eat is at 800 N.th 4th street in Philadelphia. It's a tasty place to eat, in a changing neighborhood called "Northern Liberties". Which once was an Industrial fallout zone, now is a bustling hood full of energy. A long time Philadelphian once described it to me "It was like an abandoned movie set. Because after 4pm, once the few workers left for the day...nothing but silence. Just scenery.". Honey's is on the corner of 4th and Brown. 4th street has a bus stop on it, so Brown street was the best location for these new racks.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_v1JrBbQ9-Lw/SaSYky-oNMI/AAAAAAAAACg/dCwWtnQRpyE/s1600-h/DSCN0964.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_v1JrBbQ9-Lw/SaSYky-oNMI/AAAAAAAAACg/dCwWtnQRpyE/s320/DSCN0964.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5306534018876454082" border="0" /></a>First the number of racks were chosen, "3" and then the actual form. We had talked about different concepts and design aspects of this project. Deciding on an Industrial feel with some organic properties. This best matched the "feel" of the neighborhood and the "style" of the restaurant. The three concepts decided upon were a Spiral, with the properties of Pi built in. A Cactus, and a Grid of sorts. The "Grid" is the centerpiece with organic placement and flow. Book-ended by the "Cactus" and "Spiral".<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_v1JrBbQ9-Lw/SaSg8L-DYtI/AAAAAAAAACo/hRD3qrEmjXw/s1600-h/DSCN0999.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_v1JrBbQ9-Lw/SaSg8L-DYtI/AAAAAAAAACo/hRD3qrEmjXw/s320/DSCN0999.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5306543216814940882" border="0" /></a><br /><br />To top off these racks, no pun intended, is a brand spanking new idea. Solar- powered, lit menu displays mounted on top of each rack. The two outside<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_v1JrBbQ9-Lw/SaSg8v18l_I/AAAAAAAAACw/d9ipmQCY-Is/s1600-h/DSCN1000.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_v1JrBbQ9-Lw/SaSg8v18l_I/AAAAAAAAACw/d9ipmQCY-Is/s320/DSCN1000.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5306543226444617714" border="0" /></a> racks have an 8 1/2" x 11" viewing area, while the center rack has a larger 11" x 17" viewing area. These not only will be used for menu viewing, but also for advertising, artist awareness<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_v1JrBbQ9-Lw/SaSg8sjqodI/AAAAAAAAAC4/neDak9WMQRY/s1600-h/DSCN1084.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_v1JrBbQ9-Lw/SaSg8sjqodI/AAAAAAAAAC4/neDak9WMQRY/s320/DSCN1084.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5306543225562636754" border="0" /></a> and community bulletins. They are linked to a solar panel on the roof of Honey's, which was installed just for this project. Honey's Sit N' Eat, strives as a business to be sustainable and as earth friendly as possible. With This project they are moving one step closer.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_v1JrBbQ9-Lw/SaSg88tSaCI/AAAAAAAAADA/4AVcWseA5DI/s1600-h/DSCN1087.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_v1JrBbQ9-Lw/SaSg88tSaCI/AAAAAAAAADA/4AVcWseA5DI/s320/DSCN1087.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5306543229897959458" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />I was really excited about this project. I had a lot of free reign when it came to concept and design. I was totally excited when the owners decided to go with my solar-powered lit menu display idea, as well as the designs themselves. This was a worthwhile project that took some time doing. It allowed me to combine design and technology into one earth friendly social purpose. I was very happy with the outcome. Final pics of the installed pieces are to come soon.ERIC M ALLENhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10784196755605950375noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8341604465930908718.post-42680006687322700002009-01-27T17:47:00.006-05:002009-01-27T18:51:15.259-05:00Taking the Leap<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_v1JrBbQ9-Lw/SX-anVktnjI/AAAAAAAAACA/RuXqRP-MdbM/s1600-h/DSCN0240.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_v1JrBbQ9-Lw/SX-anVktnjI/AAAAAAAAACA/RuXqRP-MdbM/s320/DSCN0240.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5296121687407697458" border="0" /></a><br />Jan. 2, 2008. While on my winter vacation of sorts...after several days of thought about my current situation, I decided to take the leap. Finally go out on my own and see what happens. It was time to do the unthinkable and QUIT MY JOB! I set up a meeting with my boss the following day. We spoke, discussed my decision, came to a somewhat amicable agreement and I gave him a very fair 6 weeks to sort things out.<br /><br /><br />I can't tell you how good that felt. Not the quiting part, or the leaving my job part, but the not knowing what's about to happen next part. I felt like a fresh new person on an adventure. Immediately, I began to think about<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_v1JrBbQ9-Lw/SX-bqsDIOsI/AAAAAAAAACI/epIbXattxUY/s1600-h/100_0823.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 208px; height: 279px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_v1JrBbQ9-Lw/SX-bqsDIOsI/AAAAAAAAACI/epIbXattxUY/s320/100_0823.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5296122844492085954" border="0" /></a> what to do next. I started to sketch ideas, take inventory and write down plans for the coming year. I was excited!!! Didn't quite know how I was going to make money exactly, but that didn't matter. I just had to stay positive and put the word out there.<br /><br />OK, so now I'm ready. Ready for the real world. I've got some savings and all the tools I need to be creative. Time to turn my then sparse freelance into a full-time gig. I've got my art studio space for computer, drawing, painting and design. I also have my shop space for making loud noise, bad smells, fire and brimstone. I've got the know how and varied experience. Now all I needed was some work...ERIC M ALLENhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10784196755605950375noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8341604465930908718.post-54326679921657169302009-01-23T19:40:00.011-05:002009-02-25T12:14:27.991-05:00Dreaming of change<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_v1JrBbQ9-Lw/SXpwowH7ATI/AAAAAAAAAB4/aMP832H7OEI/s1600-h/DSCN0123.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 243px; height: 182px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_v1JrBbQ9-Lw/SXpwowH7ATI/AAAAAAAAAB4/aMP832H7OEI/s320/DSCN0123.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5294668157342646578" border="0" /></a><br />You ever have a morning when you wake up, and for some reason things are different? You have the feeling that something is going to happen, but you don't know what? A feeling that something needs to Change? Well, one year ago, the day after Christmas, I had one of these mornings. I woke up and realized I was living someone <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0"><span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Else's</span></span> life.<br /><br />I was working a job, that at some point turned from an interesting venture into a monotonous day to day, and I wasn't happy. My five year plan after college didn't quite go the way I had planned, nor was I really using my degree. I thought for awhile that I would work freelance in my free time and have a day job to pay the bills. Like a lot of creative people, I became wrapped up in the day job and lost track of the career.<br /><br />I had a dream that night, the night before my strange morning and it made me want to change my life completely. My dream, which was more of a memory, was of me as a ten year old kid. I was in my parents basement taking apart some of the various electrical devices that my dad would accumulate. I believe it was an old telephone and a radio that I had scavenged for parts. The <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">gizmo's</span>, small motors and devices always intrigued me. Then I made something new. I don't know what it was, but it definitely had wires, batteries, spun and made noise... and I was happy. I woke up that morning knowing this; that what made me happy was making things.ERIC M ALLENhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10784196755605950375noreply@blogger.com0