How to be a better customer
A better customer? Sounds like a harsh statement, doesn’t it? After all, isn’t it up to the company to try to be better for you? Well yes, but why not give yourself some advantages that will ensure the most success with your natural stone project. On websites and on...
Turning flat things into round things
Making radius countertops for most stone fabricators is simple enough, but things get a little more labor intensive when forming mitered, bowed front edges, essentially creating the illusion of a solid curved piece of stone out of thin, flat material. So, starting...
A special Christmas ornament
With the Christmas season upon us, I'd like to share something a little unusual. So, let's make something... The way we cut stone is either with diamond tipped blades, or by abrasive waterjet, with the waterjet being the more interesting of the two methods. Allow me...
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,...
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...
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...
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...
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 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...