Owl Nutcracker Restoration Complete!

Owl Nutcracker Restoration Complete!

May 03

Brandon completed the restoration of the owl nutcracker.  Like every project that comes through the workshop this restoration had its own set of challenges.  Each project is a learning experience and much is learned on each one.  Brandon is quite persnickety with getting everything lined up and looking seamless.  Then he puts the same care into the finish to make the restoration work look like it never was broke.

Brandon had to add the “ears” and beak.  The stump was also broken and needed to be added to.  Here are some pictures of the finished nutcracker….

This piece came out beautifully.  My pictures do not do it justice.  It was quite a struggle to get good pictures with the lack of sunlight around here!  I think we need a break from all the rain…….enough is enough already!

Current Restorations and The Seahorse Has a New Home

Current Restorations and The Seahorse Has a New Home

Mar 11

Brandon is now working on two restorations.  First off is this very interesting owl nutcracker.

This piece  has a couple of issues that need to be addressed.  First the feather tufts on the head have been broken off in a curious manner and they need to be  added.  Also, the beak needs to be repaired as well as the stump it is perched upon.  When all of that is completed it will need to stained and finished to its former glory.

The next restoration, is this jolly fellow….

He had an old repair that needed to be redone.  His hat had been glued on and not in the right position.

The hat also is missing the very tip of it and will need to be replaced.  The rim of the hat in the front is also chipped and will need to be repaired also.

In other news, Brandon’s original design Seahorse Figural Nutcracker has been sold.  It now will make  it’s home at the Leavenworth Nutcracker Museum.  It definitely will not be lonely there! 😉

It was sad to see it leave but I have my order already put in for one like it!

Check back soon for more updates and also check out our Facebook page.

Completed 1500’s Nutcracker

Completed 1500’s Nutcracker

Mar 04

The 1500’s Nutcracker has been completed!  It turned out wonderfully.     The finish is spot on and looks completely seamless.  It was quite an exciting piece to work on and it is nice that it has been restored to it’s original form.  The bird was completely missing except for remnants of little bird feet and Brandon designed the bird to be correct for the nutcracker, carved the new bird and finished it to look like it had always been there…

Here are some before pictures..

And here is the completed nutcracker.

This nutcracker will be an amazing addition to  it’s home at the Leavenworth Nutcracker Museum where it is now currently displayed.

Brandon will be working on to a couple new restoration projects that I will be posting about real soon.  We are also working on a few different projects too……

If you want to see some of Brandon’s restoration projects (before and after pics) and also his original nutcrackers and other works, you can check out our fan page on Facebook and look through the albums.  It’s nice to see them in one condensed area.  While you’re there make sure to “Like” our page, it will make me very happy.  🙂

1500’s Nutcracker Restoration Update

1500’s Nutcracker Restoration Update

Feb 21

The restoration of the 1500’s nutcracker is almost complete.  Brandon has been working on making the bird tie in seamlessly to the original piece and it  is looking spectacular.  It needs to be textured a bit and  finished to match the piece and it will be good to go.  Here are some updated pictures of the piece.

Arlene is thrilled with the progress and is excited to get it back to the museum to show off  this spectacular nutcracker.

After this restoration is complete Brandon has a few more restorations in the line up.

Also, check out our Facebook fan page for updates and check out the photo albums of past works.  Just click on the Facebook badge in the sidebar and it will take you directly to it!

An Exciting Restoration Project

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.

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.

A Wonderful Gift

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. 

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!