It's beginning to look at a lot like commerce!

A couple of years ago I had an idea to make a small amplifier and mount it in a cigar box to use with my computer at work.  When I finally got around to building it, I thought it came out great--and a lot of people seemed to agree.  So I built a few more and put them for sale on Etsy.  I listed the first one several weeks ago and it has been steadily gathering admirers. 

Finally, Saturday night someone pulled the trigger and bought it.  Then to my wondrous eyes did appear... another order yesterday.  And another this morning!  I need to find more cigar boxes.

Circuit Board Candle Holder

Solid Walnut base candle holder with a screen made from translucent printed circuit boards.
3 1/2" square base, 4 3/4" (12cm) tall.

Available at my shop on Etsy.

Vintage Cat Tin Amplified Speaker

Here's another amplified speaker I built. The tin is from a set of vintage Ikea storage tins. It's for sale over on Etsy. There's another one housed in an old cigar box, too.

Occupying Ball Square

In addition to having sculpture on display at Salon Cu in Ball Square, Somerville, MA, Blue Cloud Gallery across the street is now showing my Ice Floe Jewelry Box.

The inside is lined with blue velvet and has slots in the bottom to hold rings, slotted rails inside hold a LOT of earrings, and hooks on the backs of the doors hold necklaces. The doors are held closed by hidden magnets.

Seven penguins watch over your bling. The whole thing is afloat on an ice floe with a few ice cubes strewn about. Stop in and check out Anna's baby quilts and book purses while you're there.

Cigar Box Speaker

I built a small amplifier for my iPod and mounted it with a cast-off speaker in an old cigar box.

I cleaned up the box and gave it a coat of paste wax. Connectors and controls are mounted on an aluminum panel that is set flush into the back. The 2W amplifier combines left and right stereo channels. The amplifier gain is fixed, volume is controlled by the iPod.

I breadboarded the circuit and the amplifier chip doesn't have a proper heatsink, so it gets pretty toasty. I'm going to see if adding some copper foil is enough. If not, it'll give me the excuse to design a custom circuit board. Though I work as an electrical engineer, I've never done board layout before.

So how does it sound? Pretty good!!!

Sculpture at Salon Cu

A few of my sculptures are on display this spring & summer at Salon Cu in Ball square, Somerville.

Check them out if you're looking for a new 'do. Ask for Kaitlyn--and the 15% Yelp first-timer discount. www.SalonCu.com

Save the Date for Open Studios

April 30 + May 1, 2011
saturday + sunday, noon - 6pm

Open Studios is coming up in just a few weeks!

I'll be participating for the fifth year with my wife, Anna (AnnaZee.com). We hope you'll drop by to see what we've been working on.

What is it?
Visit nearly 400 artists in over 100 venues who will open their homes and studios for the Thirteenth Annual Somerville Open Studios Event on Saturday, April 30 and Sunday, May 1, 2011 from noon to 6 pm. During this free showcase for the arts, mid-career and emerging artists working across a broad spectrum of fine art styles and craft media will exhibit and sell their work to the public. Visit the website for more information and a map.

Artists' Choice Exhibit
The Somerville Museum hosts a preview show for participating artists. The museum is located at 1 Westwood Road. Visit the website for gallery hours. Visit this first to narrow down who you'd like to visit.