  These belt buckles will debut at the Travis Heights Art Trail on the first weekend in December, so come to 1407 Travis Heights Blvd. this Saturday or Sunday (Dec. 4 -5) if you want to check them out.
The belt buckles are approximately 2” x 3”, and I designed them to fit belts 3/4” - 1 1/2” wide. You’ll need the type of belt where the buckle is removable. Of course, I can custom-make a buckle for you, perhaps with your initials or in a different shape. I think these buckles would also make a cool Christmas or birthday gift. Allow me to pontificate a moment. A collection of similar items can be more interesting than a single item simply due to the repetition aspect. So why not take the belt buckle designs and make them into larger panels to be hung as a collection on a wall? And if you happen to WANT a dinner plate-sized belt buckle, we’ll take a panel off the wall and strap it around your waist. I just want you to be happy.   “Hello, hello! My name is Nabilini! I’m so happy to see you!”
That’s what I hear this little guy saying. He has so much energy in him, it’s hard to keep him from flying away. But since all he really wants is your company, he will be the little character who hangs out in your kitchen or bar, waiting for you to call him into use. He is, after all, not only a mini sculpture, he’s a bottle opener. And now for a quick lesson on how to pronounce his name: Say the words “knobbly knee.” Put the emphasis on the third syllable in ‘knobbly’ -- yes, there is a third syllable if you are Texan and pronounce it like ‘knob-ble-LEE’ -- and say ‘knee‘ very quickly after that. Practice a couple of times. "Na-bi-LI-ni..." Now you’ve got it.    At five feet tall, this lamp stands out in a room and functions as a sculptural night light and/or task lamp.
This floor lamp is based on the lines of a seahorse. The lamp’s body is sections of hammered sheet, shaped and oxy-fuel welded together. The stained glass diffuser is custom for this piece. Do you really want to know the process for making this custom piece of glass? If not, don't hesitate to skip to the next paragraph!... I formed metal into the shape I wanted the stained glass to be. I pressed clay over the metal form, letting the clay dry. I took the clay form to Feats of Clay to be bisque fired, then I patronized Armadillo Clay for the glass slumping. A sheet of stained glass was placed over the clay form in a kiln where it was heated and slumped. I can’t tell you which came first, the chicken or the egg -- but I can tell you that the lamp’s cradle was built AFTER the glass was slumped, custom-fitted against the glass for a secure fit. I started on this lamp in July and now it’s November. I wanted to get it done in time for the Travis Heights Art Trail 2010. There are a couple of little tweaky things I’ll continue to do to refine this guy, but I’m pleased he’s ready enough to make an appearance at the show!   A couple of years ago I began doodling a little creature who has captured my affection and become known to me as the ‘devil snail.’ It was high time to take him to 3-D.
Devil Snail’s pointed antennae and forked tongue aren’t meant to frighten. He’s got attitude, but if one is to survive for long in this world, it’s a necessary trait. He’s sassy, not scary. Devil Snail is comprised completely of 1/4” round steel rod. He came to life via the tack-and-bend method using the oxy-fuel welder. |
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