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

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.

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.

Sneak Peek

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……

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!

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!

Completion of The Fox Whip Holder Restoration

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…

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…

Brandon added the foot and did a spectacular job on it.  You can’t even tell it was ever repaired!

Brandon is now working on another restoration and is also working on an original figural nutcracker.  Updates and pictures coming soon!

Bull Nutcracker Restoration Completed

Bull Nutcracker Restoration Completed

Aug 23

Brandon finished adding the horns to the bull recently.  He carved the horns from Tagua Nuts and they look just like ivory.

Here is a before and after of the nutcracker…..

The horns look and feel like ivory and really complete the look of the nutcracker.

More Restorations: Fox Whip Holder and Bull Nutcracker

More Restorations: Fox Whip Holder and Bull Nutcracker

Jul 25

Finally!  Our heat wave is letting up a bit and Brandon is back to working on a few restoration projects.  He is working on this whip holder…..

The Fox Whip Holder is missing his foot and he needs to have his finish put back to his original color and get rid of the white washed finish.  The fox is extremely detailed but it is really hard to see the details with the light finish.

Here are a couple pics of the current carved foot….

The foot will have to be attached and the fur carved to match then will be the finish!

He is also working on this bull nutcracker…

The Bull Nutcracker needs to have his horns replaced.  This is the bull with a clay mock up of his horns….

Brandon and the owner of the nutcracker had been searching for pre-ban ivory or an artificial ivory to carve the horns.  They have decided on carving the horns out of tagua nuts.  I’ve said it before but each project I learn something new.  I never knew that there are nuts that look like ivory and as hard as ivory!

This is how the nuts looked when we received them…..

This is the inside of the nut…….

Check back soon to see the finished restorations!

The Winking Man Restoration

The Winking Man Restoration

Jun 14

Brandon has a few restorations lined up to do.  This one was just a quick tune up.  The pin needed replaced and the finish livened up.

Here are some before pictures….

Here are some pictures after the tune up…..

The Winking Man is now in operating condition and with a beautiful new finish.