Blog
Playin’ With Rocks
Joey Marcella, co-founder of Mario & Son, spent the first half of his life as a professional drummer, and the second half helping thousands of others become stone fabricators.
Follow along for an inside look at the stone shop and a peek into the world through his lens.
Welcome to the jungle
“You know where you are? You’re in the jungle, baby! You’re gonna die…” -W. Axl Rose I’ll admit, based on the online community’s chatter on Brazilian travel, I had reservations about going there. Reading about the high crime rate, particularly in Rio de Janeiro, along with statements like “always keep a few reais in your pocket for…
Visiting the artists of Italy
In route to the Marmomacc stone fair, we once again planned a few “extra” adventures before conducting our business in northern Italy. Starting in Bari, we made our way off the beaten path to the ancient city of Matera, one of the longest continually inhabited cities on the planet. The oldest parts of this Basilicata…
Designer of Altars and the occaisonal Zombie
I had the pleasure of recently collaborating with an old childhood acquaintance and artist extraordinaire Vincent DeFelice. Vince is well known for his magnificent bronze work throughout the city, and in collections throughout the country. One of his works is displayed in none other than the Papal apartment in the Vatican. Aside from the Pope…
The rocks, roads and Jedi of the Emerald Isle
You don’t need to see his identification. These aren’t the sheep you’re looking for. Move along, move along… Ireland doesn’t reveal it’s stone history easily. It takes some effort and a little luck to experience the fantastic beauty of this island’s geologic treasures. Our travels began in Dublin to a rocky start (no pun intended)…
For the wine enthusiast who has everything…
Recently, I have been preoccupied with the design of my new major sculpture, one that I figure will take about a year to complete. In doing so, I passed on submitting a piece to the last Northwest Museum of Art and Culture event, and was planning on bowing out of the Spokane Valley Art Council’s annual fundraiser this May…
The incredibly difficult job of sealing granite countertops
One of consumers main concerns regarding granite countertops is that they must be sealed. Competing solid surface products enjoy pointing this fact out, to instill fear into the prospective customer. Score one for the competitors because, yes, granite should be sealed. But to discredit it out of fear? I think they are insulting the intelligence…
A Passage to Bangkok, part 3
Stupas, monks and dogs… The first thing you notice when visiting Myanmar, besides hearing the delightful “Mingalaba” out of everyones mouth, is the unbelievable amount of golden stupas and pagodas dotting the countryside. Thousands of them. I’ve never seen so much gold since Mike Myers starred in Goldmember. “I love gooold…” Running a close second for…
A Passage to Bangkok, part 2
Our introduction to Cambodia is by way of a tuk tuk, the regions preferred method of transport. The heat is almost unbearable, even though this is the cool season in Southeast Asia. I can’t begin to imagine what the hot season is like. The poverty of the country reveals itself immediately as we drive through the dusty…
A Passage to Bangkok
“Our first stop is in Bogotá…” Actually, our first stop isn’t Bogotá at all, and we won’t be “checking” any Colombian fields either (as suggested by Neil Peart’s drug fueled lyrics from the classic Rush song that I blatantly stole for this blogs title). We are not exactly “drug free” however, as our bodies are…
Holiday Rocks
Just in time for the holidays, the stone I purchased in Italy this September is beginning to trickle in. Our staff waits in curious anticipation, as the first bundles of slabs emerge from the shipping container. Most of the time we play it safe, importing only proven, marketable colors. This container however, is what I…
Sidelined
If I ignore it long enough, maybe it’ll go away… I’m referring to Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, which has been afflicting my right hand for decades, a condition I can only attest to my previous life as a professional drummer. A few too many paradiddles started the damage that, at first, was only a mere nuisance,…
There and back again, part 6: Finito!
All good things must come to an end… Four days at a trade show is quite enough. The fact that you must always be “on” takes its toll both mentally and physically. (Again I know, poor baby, right?) All joking aside, Italy can be difficult when you’re on business. Your hosts insist on feeding you “mass quantities” at every…