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My New Blog!!!! And Nutcrackers Listed On Ebay

Dec 28

Happy December! We are making some changes at Ardoria Studios. I have changed my blog to BrandonEtto.com to make it easier for people to find me and my work. It should be easier to remember. We are keeping Ardoria Studios and it is going to have some interesting changes in the future too. But for now check out the new blog. It is still in transition as there are some technical things I need to work out but all the old blog’s content can be found here now.

With the holidays being just around the corner and I have listed the 2nd Skull Nutcracker of the new design on Ebay. He needs to find nice home to spend the holidays.

I have also listed a Vintage Ibex Nutcracker on Ebay too.

December looks like it is going to be a busy month. I have a couple interesting restorations I am working on and will be posting about them soon.

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An Exciting Restoration Project

Dec 04

A few months ago Brandon was contacted to do a restoration for Arlene Wagner. If you are not familiar with Arlene, she is not only the founder and curator of the Leavenworth Nutcracker Museum, author of The Art & Character of Nutcrackers but also has her new claim to fame….She was the first guest on the new Conan O’Brien show, Conan.

: Arlene Wagner and Conan

Back to the nutcracker…..The nutcracker she is having restored is a remarkable piece. It is dated approximately to the 1500’s. She wanted to restore this nutcracker by adding the bird that is missing from his hat….

Brandon sculpted a few examples and the final design was agreed upon. He is now on to carving.

Check back for updates on this restoration.

Also, the Seahorse Figural Nutcracker is done! Check back for pictures.

Posted by admin in Home, Restorations 0

Sneak Peek

Nov 26

Thought I would do a quick post to give a glimpse of what Brandon has been working on. In between other projects he has been working on creating this Seahorse Nutcracker. I have been very excited to see this one get done. I just love the design!

Here is a quick peek of it without any finish or its glass eyes……

Seahorse Nutcracker

It is so close to being done it is now on to get its finish and eyes then it’ll be complete!

Check back soon to see the finished Seahorse!

Posted by admin in Carving, Home 0

A Wonderful Gift

Oct 20

A few months ago we were given a gift of this split beard gnome nutcracker by Susan. When she purchased it, it had been painted with day glo paint. She thought she’d strip the paint and refinish it. She got the paint off of him and then a little disaster struck, laundry detergent fell onto it and broke it’s beard.

Susan thought of it as an omen or something telling her she wasn’t meant to have it and she knew Brandon would fix it and refinish it and we would cherish it.

Brandon fixed the beard, replaced the pin and also touched up his mouth where it was a bit chipped with a new technique he wanted to try. He also refinished him to a really nice warm medium color.

Restored lower lip

He stated more than once about the really good job Susan did removing the day glo paint and how it would have been a lot of work to get it to the condition it was.

It turned out wonderfully! We both love him and he is now part of our own nutcracker family!

Before Restoration

After Restoration

Posted by admin in Home, Restorations 0

Completion of The Fox Whip Holder Restoration

Sep 07

The Fox Whip Holder is officially done! I think it turned out beautifully. It is a spectacular piece. This is a piece that I am going to be sad to see go back to it’s home. Here is a before and after picture…

Fox Whip Holder Before and After

Brandon made the finish darker and it really brings out the details of the carving. Here are a few pictures to show the incredible carving of this piece. If you want to see the pictures larger just click on the photo…