ArtBuzz

Sunfire Modern Steel Firebowl

2009-05-27T11:21:00-04:00


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

2009-04-23T13:58:32-04:00

Inspired by traditional mask designs from all over the world, each Face of Spades carving is made from 100% recycled materials— breathing new life into the atoms of the abandoned.

Shovels retired after a life of hard labor are reborn as playful, intriguing masks— faces peering back as if astonished by their own renewed existence. From whimsical, cartoonish expressions exaggerated for impact, to hauntingly beautiful adaptations of traditional tribal designs, the collection features 24 designs resplendent in their individuality. Stoic or serene, silly or insouciant, their glances enhance the indoors and outdoors alike. A single mask makes an excellent accent piece, but the most exciting display is to group a series of the shovel-mugged characters to create your own custom totem pole.

The tradition of masks has haunted and enchanted the dreams of man for millennia. Rain forests hide glaring eyes and snarled lips amongst twisted vines and water-wet branches as shamans craft faces to protect and faces to defend. Masks of the Far East embellished with their red and black lacquered paints give character to the actors of old and knit the fabric of stories for generations. What do they foretell of your destiny? Will they ward off evil or draw in spirits that bless? Display the Face of Spades series as a single mask, or combine them for a powerful grouped display to embellish fences, deck railings, or even to construct a forest of tree faces. Since the intricate designs are crafted freehand, without the use of guides and stencils, Face of Spades masks each contain their own unique spiritual fingerprint.

Whether a playful grin is more your style or a powerful sneer conveys your message, the Face of Spades series has character abounding. The expressions are drawn from within as if they had lain dormant within the metal for eons. Once exposed to nature’s influence they’ll turn a rich rust color, a perfect compliment to the flora and fauna that graces their newfound environs.

Since each mask is hand-cut, carving freehand without the use of templates, your mask may vary slightly from the photo shown. 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

2009-04-15T12:57:46-04:00


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

The Fiery Fleur-de-Lis Modern Firebowl is a tour de force in fire and steel that adds a regal flair to any setting. Whether you are hosting an intimate gathering of your inner circle, plotting an award winning landscape design or seeking an intriguing focal point for a trendy new French Bistro, bring a touch of royal elegance to your outdoor setting with the Fiery Fleur-de-Lis. 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.

The history of the fleur-de-lis design goes back centuries but its message and ambiance are as timeless as the steel from which these firebowls are born. Think warmth of design. Think style and elegance. 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. Gaze upon the flames flowering like a night blooming lily from this stylized design and savor the daytime silhouettes, shadows cast like a sundial upon the soil.

While it may not be possible for everyone to recreate the enormous French paterre, formal gardens like those seen at the brilliantly opulent Palace of Versailles, the price of the Fiery Fleur-de-Lis brings it well within the reach of modern formal gardens. No matter how humble the size of your estate the Fiery Fleur-de-Lis can add majesty and class that expands the feel of your garden to the far horizons. Create your own version of these well-known odes to green, with affordability and individual expression.

Your Fiery Fleur-de-Lis Firebowl, with its rich and spirited history will lend the strength of the ages and an air of sophistication to your own private retreat. Each one is crafted from hand-finished 100% recycled steel and sized to reign prominently over your kingdom. In an effort to showcase the natural beauty of the steel itself, the bowl is finished in a natural rust patina, which lends its beauty and protection for years to come. The firebowl can be left outdoors year-round, requiring no maintenance and guaranteed to last for generations. The Fiery Fleur-de-Lis is an example of my commitment to crafting work which endures the flux of fashion as readily as it outlasts the elements. I try to create objects that will never go out of style by drawing from primal metaphor and classical elements of design that speak to what it means to be human and alive.

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 Fiery Fleur-de-Lis 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

2008-11-10T00:18:35-05:00


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

2008-08-30T18:40:44-04:00


click thumbnail to view larger image.
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: SOLD

Bottle Cap Mosaic Fish No. 47

2008-08-30T18:34:15-04:00


click thumbnail to view larger image.
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

2008-08-30T18:25:54-04:00


click thumbnail to view larger images.
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

2008-06-23T19:11:59-04:00


click thumbnail to view larger image.
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

2008-06-06T00:33:45-04:00


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

2007-11-29T06:22:05-05:00

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.

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