ArtBuzz

Fresh Fish on sale at Etsy!

I've added a new Bottle Cap Mosaic Fish to my store at Etsy. Click here to go directly to the Etsy page where you can buy it.

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 will fade if you hang it in direct sunlight). The fins and tale are cut from recycled roofing copper.

Dimensions: 19" high by 49" long
Price: $450 plus S+H.

New Bottle Cap Mosaic Available on Etsy.com

I've added a new Bottle Cap Mosaic Fish to my store at Etsy. Click the picture below to go directly to the Etsy page where you can buy it.

This fish is made from Coca Cola, Becks and Harpoon Beer bottle caps. The plywood is primed with two layers of Kilz primer and can be hung outdoors (but the caps will 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.

Dimensions: 12.5" high by 44" long

 

 

 

Fire Pit Story: Raven gives the gift of fire to mankind

People love to tell stories around a fire… so it made sense to me to create some narrative fire pits that tell stories themselves. And what better story to begin with than the story of how mankind was given fire?

Of course there are many, many versions of this story. For this project, I chose a Lenape People legend in which Raven brings the gift of fire.

In the first section, you see people huddled together for warmth, cold and unhappy under a freezing sky. If you look closely, Raven is observing this from the top of a tree just below the moon. He decides to take action.

Raven flies up to the sun and grabs fire in his beak, then flies down to give the people the gift of fire. It was the smoke and hot coal that he carried which turned hi feathers black. Upon receiving Ravens gift, the people build a roaring blaze and dance around in celebration. Civilization ensues.

This is a one time custom firepit design that will never be exactly repeated. It is available only at my Etsy Store. Once it's gone, it's gone. Go here to purchase Raven's Gift of Fire.

How Raven Gave People the Gift of Fire Story FirePit

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

The firepit below is a one time creation that will never be exactly repeated… I may do another with similar motifs, but due to the complex detail it is unlikely that I could come very close to making a copy of tis piece. I've posted it for sale at Etsy. Go here to buy, first come, first sold.

Dancing Devils Recycled Steel Fire Pit
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 (which is my not-so-subtle way of saying that if you love this design as much as I do, you should get it before it's gone!). Dimensions: 30" diameter 23" high overall bowl is 23" deep

Three Bottle Cap Mosaics Available on Etsy.com

I just added the last three available bottlecap fish mosaics to my store at Etsy. I'm not sure when or if I'll be making more of these, so if you're interested, I'd snag them fast. Here's a few pics of the three that are available.

Click the image below to go to the page where you can buy the mosaic.

 

Goblet O Fire Recycled Steel Charcoal Burner

The Goblet O Fire Recycled Steel Charcoal Burner
Scroll down to learn more or purchase your own Goblet O Fire!
click thumbnail to view larger image. Design © 2005-2007, John T Unger

 

The Goblet O Fire is hand-cut by artist John T. Unger from scrap 20 lb propane tanks and then welded to a heavy cast steel base. Although it may appear that it would easily tip over, the base is much heavier than the bowl and keeps the goblet stable. Each is an unique work of art, never to be exactly repeated.

The Goblet O Fire can be used for charcoal fires, filled with sand to hold candles, alcohol or gel fuel for ambiance or can even hold small wood fires built from sticks.

The Goblet O Fire  has a pleasing rust patina as the standard finish. If you prefer black, paint with a high-temperature grill or automotive spray paint. The heavy 1/8 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.

 

The Goblet O Fire Recycled Steel Charcoal Burner
	Goblet O Fire : $179 price includes shipping for US orders in the lower 48 states. 12" in diameter, 12" high, bowl is 6" deep
	Looking for something a little different? I can create a custom Fire Bowl to meet your needs! Get in touch to discuss your ideas. Suggested Accessory:

King Isosceles a classical modern firepit

The King Isosceles : 37" Modern Steel Firebowl
Scroll down to learn more or purchase your own King Isosceles  firebowl!
click thumbnail to view larger image. Design © 2005-2007, John T Unger

 

Ever since I created the Isosceles Modern Firepit I've had many requests for a larger version and here it is! I've named it the King Isosceles because the points remind me a bit of a stylized crown. As you can see from the lead photo, the King Isosceles can hod as large a fire as you desire!

Hand-cut and ground to a smooth finish, the King Isosceles  has a pleasing rust patina as the standard finish. If you prefer black, you can paint the bowl 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.

 

The King Isosceles : 37" or 30" Modern Steel Fire Bowl
	37" Diameter King Isosceles : $874 price includes shipping for US orders in the lower 48 states. 22" high overall, bowl is 18" deep, base is 12" in diameter
	30" Diameter King Isosceles : $598 price includes shipping for US orders in the lower 48 states. 19" high overall, bowl is 15" deep, base is 11" in diameter
	Upgrade to natural gas or propane burning firepit: $199 19 inch stainless steel, double ring gas burner ships separately. Read more about gas-burning firepits below. Looking for fire glass or remote-ignition gas burners? Call Steven at FireCrystals.
	Looking for something a little different? I can create a custom Fire Bowl to meet your needs! Get in touch to discuss your ideas.

The Big Bowl O Zen Modern Steel Firebowl

The Big Bowl O Zen: Modern Steel Firebowl
Scroll down to learn more or purchase your own Big Bowl O Zen firebowl!
click thumbnail to view larger image. Design © 2005-2007, John T Unger

 

A perfect hemisphere of heavy duty steel on a slim, nearly hidden base, the Big Bowl O Zen makes a statement without speaking loudly. Graceful, serene, modern yet classical. The Big Bowl O Zen holds it's own council while inviting you to peer deeply into the fire and contemplate the speheres of existence.

Hand-cut and ground to a smooth finish, the Big Bowl O Zen has a pleasing rust patina as the standard finish. If you prefer black, you can paint the bowl 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. If you'd like to order the bowl to use as a water feature (without drain hole) drop me a line.

The Big Bowl O Zen can also be used to stunning effect as a planter or container garden.

 

The Big Bowl O Zen: 37" or 30" Steel Fire Bowl
	37" Diameter Big Bowl O Zen: $874 Price includes shipping for US orders in the lower 48 states. 22" high overall, bowl is 18" deep, base is 12" in diameter
	30" Diameter Big Bowl O Zen: $598 Price includes shipping for US orders in the lower 48 states. 19" high overall, bowl is 15" deep, base is 11" in diameter
	Upgrade to natural gas or propane burning firepit: $199 19 inch stainless steel, double ring gas burner ships separately. Read more about gas-burning firepits below. Looking for fire glass or remote-ignition gas burners? Call Steven at FireCrystals.
	Looking for something a little different? I can create a custom Fire Bowl to meet your needs! Get in touch to discuss your ideas.

Great Flaming Lotus Recycled Steel Firebowl

The Great Flaming Lotus: 37" or 30" Steel Fire Pit
Scroll down to learn more or purchase your own Great Flaming Lotus firebowl!
click thumbnail to view larger image. Design © 2005-2007, John T Unger

 

Let the Great Flaming Lotus firepit bring a calming Zen to your garden. Just as the Egyptians regarded the lotus bloom as a symbol of resurrection, this simple and modern firebowl has been reborn from recycled steel. Warm and inviting, the Great Flaming Lotus offers a contemplative centerpiece referencing centuries of spiritual practice associated with the lotus blossom.

Hand-cut and ground to a smooth finish, the Great Flaming Lotus has a pleasing rust patina as the standard finish. If you prefer black, you can paint the bowl 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. If you'd like to order the bowl to use as a water feature (without drain hole) drop me a line.

 

The Great Flaming Lotus: 37" or 30" Steel Fire Bowl
	37" Diameter Great Flaming Lotus: $874 Price includes shipping for US orders in the lower 48 states. 22" high overall, bowl is 18" deep, base is 12" in diameter
	30" Diameter Great Flaming Lotus: $598 Price includes shipping for US orders in the lower 48 states. 19" high overall, bowl is 15" deep, base is 11" in diameter
	Upgrade to natural gas or propane burning firepit: $199 19 inch stainless steel, double ring gas burner ships separately. Read more about gas-burning firepits below. Looking for fire glass or remote-ignition gas burners? Call Steven at FireCrystals.
	Looking for something a little different? I can create a custom Fire Bowl to meet your needs! Get in touch to discuss your ideas.

Isosceles Recycled Steel Fire Pit

Isosceles: Minimalist Modern FirePit in Recycled Steel
click thumbnail to view larger image. Design © 2005-2007, John T Unger

 

A simple, modern styled firepit made from 100% recycled steel. Isosceles holds a good-sized fire, either with charcoal or wood, and the triangular points of the bowl are a perfect complement to the shapes of the flames themselves.

Each Isosceles grill is hand cut from a round bowl shape, so dimensions will vary a bit from one to the next. Edges are ground down to a smooth finish. A rust patina is the standard finish, but if you prefer black, you can paint the grill with a high-temperature grill or automotive spray paint.

The Isosceles is cut from 1/4 inch thick plate steel. The bowl should last generations with no maintenance. Water drains through a hole in the center of the bowl. (if you'd like to incorporate the Isosceles in a water feature, drop me a line and I can customize one without the drain).

Dimensions are variable, but on average the Isosceles is 28 inches across and sits about 15 inches tall.

 

Isosceles: A Modern Recycled Steel FirePit
	Isosceles Fire Pit: approximately 28" across, 15" high,  70 lbs Buy now for $395 ($300 plus $95 S+H) $95 shipping is valid only for US orders in the lower 48 states. Ships in 5-7 business days. Shipping weight is approx. 85 pounds.
	Looking for something a little different? I can create a custom Fire Bowl to meet your needs! Get in touch to discuss your ideas.

 

The Isosceles can be ordered without a base as a gorgeous bowl or for use as an outdoor tabletop/water font. It can also be combined with the The Font O' Fire to create interesting variations.

 

Isosceles:  Recycled Steel Display Bowl
click thumbnail to view larger image. Design © 2005-2007, John T Unger

 

Isosceles: Recycled Steel Bowl or Tabletop
	Isosceles Bowl: approximately 28" across, 6" high,  40 lbs Buy now for $299 ($249 plus $50 S+H) $50 shipping is valid only for US orders in the lower 48 states. Ships in 5-7 business days. Shipping weight is approx. 85 pounds.
	Looking for something a little different? I can create a custom Fire Bowl to meet your needs! Get in touch to discuss your ideas.