ArtBuzz

Sunfire Modern Steel Firebowl

Scroll down to learn more or purchase your own Sunfire Modern Steel Firebowl! See the Sunfire in action! Watch the video at the bottom of page.
click thumbnail to view larger image. Firebowl design © 2009, John T. Unger

If you're looking for a retro firepit design that would look equally at home outside an Airstream or an architectural masterpiece by Alvar Aalto, the Sunfire Modern Steel Firebowl is a fabulous choice.

Equal parts Space Age, sunburst, and primal element of fire, the Sunfire Modern Steel Firebowl evokes sundials as strongly as satellites. The Sunfire was inspired in part by the 1947 Ball Clock created for Herman Miller when George Nelson, Noguchi and Bucky Fuller spent a festive evening drinking and doodling clock designs together. The Sunfire is an homage to clean, modern design: funky but functional, retro yet classical.

But the Sunfire owes just as much to bebop jazz, the soundtrack of the Modern age. Each Sunfire is a one-of-a-kind, unique work of art created by hand without resorting to a set pattern. The improvised, rhythmized pattern of the spokes is different on every firebowl—just as the dynamic interplay and overlap of virtuoso jazz soloists insures that every time a song is played, it is recognizable and yet an entirely new creation. The Sunfire is visual music, the sun solidified, fire in a Sputnik bowl.

The spokes of the Sunfire are of different lengths and thickness, just as the disks at the end vary in size. Some disks have holes pierced in them. I arrange them improvisationally to create rhythm and melody in striking array. And yes, they all sound a little bit different when you hit them like a marimba.

The spokes range from 4.5" to 11" long, so the Sunfire is much larger than it sounds: I measure the firepit by the diameter of the bowl, rather than the dimensions of the spokes, so a 30 inch Sunfire is actually more like 55 inches on average when measuring across the spokes. This makes it the largest standard firebowl design I offer.

The Sunfire Modern Steel Firebowl has a pleasing rust patina as the standard finish. If you prefer black, you can paint the firebowl with a high-temperature grill or automotive spray paint. The heavy 1/4 inch thick steel plate can be left outdoors year round, requiring no maintenance to last generations. A hole is cut in the center of the bowl to allow water to drain and adaptation to gas burners.

Sunfire Modern Steel Firebowl: Choose from three sizes
NOTE: The list size of the Sunfire is the diameter of the bowl, not the overall dimensions. The spokes add about 25 inches to each firebowl, as described below.
	40 inch Sunfire Modern Steel Firebowl: $1499 with shipping* 40" diameter bowl, 18" high, bowl is 9" deep. Actual diameter including spokes is approximately 65 inches.
	37 inch Sunfire Modern Steel Firebowl: $1249 with shipping* 37" diameter bowl, 15" high, bowl is 8" deep. Actual diameter including spokes is approximately 60 inches.
	30 inch Sunfire Modern Steel Firebowl: $999 with shipping* 30" diameter bowl, 15" high, bowl is 6" deep. Actual diameter including spokes is approximately 55 inches.
	The Sunfire Modern Steel Firebowl is suitable for gas, wood or charcoal fires. Gas burner installation instructions are here.
	Upgrade to natural gas or propane burning firepit: The Great Bowl O' Fire ships ready-to-fit for clean-burning propane or natural gas burners. A simple manual light burner is best for most installations. Manual light: Order a 22" or 24" stainless burner from FireCrystals. For remote-ignition gas burners, call Steven at FireCrystals, 805.237.9188.
	*Shipping: Price includes shipping for US orders and Canada, excluding Alaska and Hawaii (please call or email for rates to AK and HI). For International Orders please see FAQ here.

Masks from Recycled Shovel Blades: the Face of Spades Series

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The Face of Spades series can be displayed as a single mask, or hung in a series to create totem poles, to embellish fences or deck railings, or even to construct a forest of tree faces. Inspired by traditional mask designs from all over the world, each Face of Spades carving is made from 100% recycled materials— the intricate designs are hand-cut from reclaimed shovels, carving freehand without the use of templates. Since each mask is hand-cut, yours may vary slightly from the photo shown. The Face of Spades series looks great both indoors or outdoors. In the garden they will turn a rich rust color, perfect for outdoor decoration. If you wish to preserve the mask outdoors, it's not a bad idea to spray it with WD-40 once a year or so.

 

Face of Spades: Masks, Tree Faces or Totem Pole Heads
$59 plus S+H. Buy at: 1000 Markets | Etsy	$59 plus S+H. Buy at: 1000 Markets | Etsy	$59 plus S+H. Buy at: 1000 Markets | Etsy	$59 plus S+H. Buy at: 1000 Markets | Etsy
$59 plus S+H. Buy at: 1000 Markets | Etsy	$59 plus S+H. Buy at: 1000 Markets | Etsy	$59 plus S+H. Buy at: 1000 Markets | Etsy	$59 plus S+H. Buy at: 1000 Markets | Etsy
$59 plus S+H. Buy at: 1000 Markets | Etsy	$59 plus S+H. Buy at: 1000 Markets | Etsy	$59 plus S+H. Buy at: 1000 Markets | Etsy	$59 plus S+H. Buy at: 1000 Markets | Etsy
$59 plus S+H. Buy at: 1000 Markets | Etsy	$59 plus S+H. Buy at: 1000 Markets | Etsy	$59 plus S+H. Buy at: 1000 Markets | Etsy	$39 plus S+H. Buy at: 1000 Markets | Etsy
$59 plus S+H. Buy at: 1000 Markets | Etsy	$59 plus S+H. Buy at: 1000 Markets | Etsy	$59 plus S+H. Buy at: 1000 Markets | Etsy	$59 plus S+H. Buy at: 1000 Markets | Etsy
$59 plus S+H. Buy at: 1000 Markets | Etsy	$59 plus S+H. Buy at: 1000 Markets | Etsy	$59 plus S+H. Buy at: 1000 Markets | Etsy	$59 plus S+H. Buy at: 1000 Markets | Etsy
All Face of Spade Designs © 2009, John T Unger

Fiery Fleur-de-Lis Modern Steel Firebowl

Scroll down to learn more or purchase your own Fiery Fleur-de-Lis Modern Firebowl!
click thumbnail to view larger image. Firebowl design © 2009, John T. Unger

Add a touch of royal elegance to your outdoor setting with the Fiery Fleur-de-Lis Modern Firebowl. Leaping from the coals  you can clearly see the fiery steed of a chevalier manifesting the ancient symbolism of faith, wisdom and chivalry associated with this design. Long said to be a symbol of divine favor, the stylized flower design of the Fleur-de-Lis is found in nearly all cultures throughout history and is associated with a rich constellation of meanings. My favorite is the archaic variant fleur-de-luce or "Flower of light" which so precisely describes this firebowl.

A dramatic modern take on a classical design, the Fiery Fleur-de-Lis will gracefully preside over your garden, patio or pool area.

Fiery Fleur-de-Lis Firebowl: Choose from two sizes
	37" Diameter Fiery Fleur-de-Lis: $1249 with shipping* 22" high overall, bowl is 18" deep, base is 12" in diameter
	41" Diameter Fiery Fleur-de-Lis: $1499 with shipping* 26" high overall, bowl is 22" deep, base is 15" in diameter
	The Fiery Fleur-de-Lis is suitable for gas, wood or charcoal fires. Gas burner installation instructions are here.
	Upgrade to natural gas or propane burning firepit: The Great Bowl O' Fire ships ready-to-fit for clean-burning propane or natural gas burners. A simple manual light burner is best for most installations. Manual light: Order a 22" or 24" stainless burner from FireCrystals. For remote-ignition gas burners, call Steven at FireCrystals, 805.237.9188.
	*Shipping: Price includes shipping for US orders and Canada, excluding Alaska and Hawaii (please call or email for rates to AK and HI). For International Orders please see FAQ here.

The Fiery Fleur-de-Lis was first created as a custom firebowl for a client in British Columbia. Two of the bowls flank the pool overlooking Lake Kelowna shown below. The stone slabs that will eventually cap the pillars that bowls sit on are still be cut, but I'll update this photo as soon as the project is finished.

Recycled Steel Garden Gong

This garden gong makes a nice zen accent for any garden. Each is hand-cut from a recycled Oxygen tank. The decorative piece on top is a scrap piece from making the Great Bowl O' Fire fire pits. My gongs are all one of a kind and tend to vary in design and tone. There is no ringer or "clanger" on the inside of the gong, but they come with a steel mallet for ringing that you can see if you click the detail image below. The hanger shown in the photo is made from a farm implement that plows the earth. The hanger must be ordered separately. I think that it makes a nice complement to the gong, but many people prefer to use their own method of hanging.
	Zen Garden Gong, Hanger + Mallet: $499 with shipping* 16" to 24" tall x 9" diameter
	*Shipping: Price includes shipping for US orders and Canada, excluding Alaska and Hawaii (please call or email for rates to AK and HI). For International Orders please see FAQ here.

Bottle Cap Fish Mosaic No. 48

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Mixed Up Blues: Bottle Cap Fish Mosaic No. 48, 2008 plywood, primer, blue bottle caps, becks bottle caps, recycled roofing copper 13" H x 48" W x 2.5" D
This fish is made from a mixed palette of blue bottle caps with a white face of Becks caps. The plywood is primed with two layers of Kilz primer and can be hung outdoors (but the caps may fade if you hang it in direct sunlight). The fins and tale are cut from recycled roofing copper. Click here to view a video tutorial of how I create my mosaic bottle cap sculptures.
	Bottle Cap Fish Mosaic No. 48: $500 Including UPS Ground shipping*
	*Shipping: Price includes shipping for US orders and Canada, excluding Alaska and Hawaii (please call or email for rates to AK and HI). For International Orders please see FAQ here.

Bottle Cap Mosaic Fish No. 47

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Bottle Cap Fish Mosaic No. 47, 2008 plywood, primer, Bud Light, Heineken and Becks bottle caps, recycled car body metal 17" H x 49" W x 2.5" D
This fish is made from Bud Light, Heineken and Becks bottle caps. The plywood is primed with two layers of Kilz primer and can be hung outdoors (but the caps may fade if you hang it in direct sunlight). The fins and tale are cut from an old car, circa 1950s I think… I don't know what kind of car it was. Click here to view a video tutorial of how I create my mosaic bottle cap sculptures.
	Bottle Cap Fish Mosaic No. 48: SOLD. Commission a similar fish for $500 Including UPS Ground shipping*
	*Shipping: Price includes shipping for US orders and Canada, excluding Alaska and Hawaii (please call or email for rates to AK and HI). For International Orders please see FAQ here.

Bottle Cap Mosaic Fish No. 46

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Silvertone: Bottle Cap Fish Mosaic No. 46, 2008 plywood, primer, Bud Light bottle caps, recycled car body metal 13" H x 44" W x 2.5" D
This fish is made from Bud Light blue and silver bottle caps. The plywood is primed with two layers of Kilz primer and can be hung outdoors (but the caps may fade if you hang it in direct sunlight). The fins and tale are cut from an old car, circa 1960s I think… I don't know what kind of car it was. Click here to view a video tutorial of how I create my mosaic bottle cap sculptures.
	Bottle Cap Fish Mosaic No. 46: $500 Including UPS Ground shipping*
	*Shipping: Price includes shipping for US orders and Canada, excluding Alaska and Hawaii (please call or email for rates to AK and HI). For International Orders please see FAQ here.

Bottle Cap Fish Mosaic No. 45

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Mixed Up Blues: Bottle Cap Fish Mosaic No. 45, 2008 plywood, primer, Labatt Blue and Michelob Ultra bottle caps, recycled roofing copper 19" H x 49" W x 2.5" D
This fish is made from Labatt Blue and Michelob Ultra bottle caps. The plywood is primed with two layers of Kilz primer and can be hung outdoors (but the caps may fade if you hang it in direct sunlight). The fins and tale are cut from recycled roofing copper. Click here to view a video tutorial of how I create my mosaic bottle cap sculptures.
	Bottle Cap Fish Mosaic No. 45: $500 Including UPS Ground shipping*
	*Shipping: Price includes shipping for US orders and Canada, excluding Alaska and Hawaii (please call or email for rates to AK and HI). For International Orders please see FAQ here.

Bottle Cap Mosaic Fish No. 44

click thumbnail to view larger images.
Mixed Up Blues: Bottle Cap Fish Mosaic No. 44, 2008 plywood, primer, Coca Cola, Becks and Harpoon bottle caps, recycled car body metal 12.5 " H x 44" W x 2.5" D
This fish is made from Coca Cola, Becks and Harpoon bottle caps. The plywood is primed with two layers of Kilz primer and can be hung outdoors (but the caps may fade if you hang it in direct sunlight). The fins and tale are cut from an old car, circa 1950s I think… I don't know what kind of car it was. Click here to view a video tutorial of how I create my mosaic bottle cap sculptures.
	Bottle Cap Fish Mosaic No. 48: $500 Including UPS Ground shipping*
	*Shipping: Price includes shipping for US orders and Canada, excluding Alaska and Hawaii (please call or email for rates to AK and HI). For International Orders please see FAQ here.

Dancing Devils Firepit casts lively dancing shadows when you build a fire

Dancing Devils: Storytelling Firebowl
click thumbnail to view larger image. Design © 2005-2009, John T Unger

These dancing devils were adapted from a series of medieval block prints… although they also remind me of Indonesian shadow puppets. Especially because of the way that they cast lively dancing shadows when you build a fire in the firepit. As the flames leap, so do the shadows! How cool is that?

This design was cut freehand with no stencils or jigs. I don't know if I'll evr make another one quite this complex due to the time and effort that went into each figure. I love the way it came out, but future versions will most likely be a bit less detailed and simpler.

Dimensions: 30" diameter x 23" high overall. Bowl is 23" deep.

This is a one time custom firepit design that will never be exactly repeated and has been sold. If you'd like to commission a similar piece, call or email to discuss pricing, stories or lead time.