"Dolphin" Jetpack

Rustic Table Lamp (reclaimed wood base and repurposed canning jar lampshade)

Here is another project that I just completed.  To read more about it, or to purchase the lamp, please visit my Etsy shop here.

White Tailed Deer- Beer Tap Handle

Please visit my new site to see more tap handles that I have made, as well information on purchasing one. http://antlertaphandle.blogspot.com/

Here's another project that I just finished.  I've had this antler laying around for a few years, and finally found a use for it.  The wooden base is finished in red oak.  This is currently for sale here.
UPDATE: this tap handle has been sold.  I will be making more, so check my Etsy shop here.
If you have an antler, I'd be glad to make a custom mount for it.  Just send me an email.

Quantum Levitation

This video has been around for a few months, and somehow I neglected posting it when I first saw it.  It is so cool, though that I have to post it, even though it is late.

Here's another video with greater explanation.

Industrial Corkscrew

UPDATE:  This corkscrew was sold on Ebay to a major collector from Romania.  Pretty cool that this will be in a collection 5000 miles away. 
These are still avaliable, made to order, on my Etsy page here.

I neglected to take any pictures while making this, so I'll try to explain the process instead.  On a whim I bought a couple of corkscrew blanks from a seller on Ebay.  Once I got them I wasn't sure what to do with them.  I had some diamond pattern tubing laying around, so I decided to use that as a handle.  The end caps are washers, held together with bolts and a coupling nut in the middle.  All of the nuts were "welded" together with JB Weld.  These are for sale on Etsy and Ebay.  Check my "For Sale" page for links.

Ewok vs. The Incredible Hulk

 

Star Wars Pumpkins

This year my wife and I decided to carve Star Wars pumpkins.  I did Boba Fett, and she did Yoda.  The stencils can be found here.  The Yoda used a full sized stencil, the Boba Fett was scaled to 85%.  Pictures below.

Cephallotus follicularis (updated pics)

This plant has come a long way since I bought it in August 2010. (pic here)

Ball Python Cage (Empire Strikes Back, Dagobah theme)UPDATE #4

After nearly six months, I'm finally getting around to posting an update.  Unfortunately I still haven't made much progress.  Much of the styrofoam sculpting has been done.  The back wall and Yoda's hut should be complete soon, I will then move on to the tree on the right.  Stay tuned.

See the original post here.

See update #1 here.

See update # 2 here.

See update # 3 here.



Typhonium venosum blooming (video)

I decided to make a time lapse video of my Typhonium venosum blooming, which was previously detailed here.  Enjoy!

Neutrinos Cheat



CERN says I might have been wrong.  I say neutrinos are tricky little bitches that cheat!!

First Video of Fish Tool Use

The video below, filmed off the coast of Palau, in 2009 is the first video evidence of fish using "tools".  An orange-dotted tuskfish was filmed digging through the ocean bottom, finding a clam, and then using a rock like an anvil to get the clam open.  If tool use is an indication of intelligence, then are fish smarter than we give them credit for?

Go The F#@$ to Sleep

Just got this book from my brother.  Pretty funny, but even better when read by

Samuel L. Jackson.

 Unfortunately this is just a Christopher Walken impersonator, and not the real deal, but still funny.

Shark Fin Soup

As the people of China gain wealth, the ocean's sharks suffer.  Shark fin soup, an apparently bland dish exposed by chef Gordon Ramsay.  WARNING: graphic images and language.

Amorphophallus konjac

In 2007 I was lucky enough to see an Amorphophallus titanum bloom in person here.  I immediately decided that I had to have one.  Unfortunately I was quickly forced to realize that that wasn't realistic.  Even small tubers are relatively expensive, they grow huge, and require conditions not easily met in a cold climate unless of course you have a greenhouse.  So, instead I convinced my wife to buy me several A. konjac tubers for Christmas.  Little did she know how many Amorphophallus I would end up with over the next few years.  I received seven tubers from a seller on eBay.  One turned out to be the Typhonium venosum shown here.  All seven tubers grew quite well (below).

Over the years I gave three away.  On the left are the remaining three in summer 2010, along with a few venosum planted in the same pot.  Konjacs produce offshoots every year that will grow into their own separate plants.  In the fall of each year the tubers are dug up, after the leaves die, revealing several small new tubers.  On the right is my largest tuber (early summer 2011) planted along with several offshoots from a previous year.

Finally here is my largest tuber (seen above right) after being dug up mid September 2011.  This tuber weighed in at 1.379Kg (3lbs 0.6oz).  Hopefully this tuber will bloom next spring.

Daft Punk: Thomas

One of the best builders that I have seen.  Make sure to check out his other Daft Punk build, as well as his Big Daddy build, both can be found here.Volpin Props  Awesome!! 

Growing African Baobabs (Adonsonia digitata) in a cold climate (zone 5B).

In June 2010 I purchased 10 seeds on ebay.   Five of the seeds were lightly filed and then soaked overnight in warm water.  The other five seeds were simply placed in near boiling water and then soaked overnight.  Three of the ten seeds germinated, two that were filed, and one that was not.  Germination took 7-10 days.  The seeds were planted in a mix of 2/3 potting soil and 1/3 sand.  The plants were placed on my back deck.  They received several hours of bright sun daily, and were watered regularly.  As you can see in the pics below, they grew quite well.

 In August I replanted the two larger plants, and sold the third.  The plants were once again planted in a mix of potting soil and fine play sand.

Once temperatures began to drop into the low 50's at night, both plants were moved indoors.  My plan was not to water them all winter, as they are highly susceptible to root rot.  Unfortunately in a moment of weakness, I watered them both in November.  Within a few weeks, both began to loose their leaves.  Unfortunately the pots that I was using didn't allow for much drainage.  The sand also acted like a sponge, keeping the roots wet.  Once the plants went dormant in my cool house, the roots rotted, and neither plant showed any growth in the spring.

2011

Since I killed last years plants over the winter, I decided to try again this spring.  This time I thoroughly filed two seeds, soaked them overnight, and they both germinated.  As you can see in the picture below, they both grew, but one much more than the other.  These plants were potted in a mix of potting soil and perelite.  NO SAND.  The pots were also modified to allow for better drainage.  They will be moved indoors in the next few weeks.  One plant will be watered sparingly throughout the winter, the other will not be watered at all.  Stay tuned for updates to see how they fair over the winter.

Typhonium venosum (aka Sauromatum venosum)

For the second straight year this bulb flowered for me.  Growth started in early March and took about 26 days to bloom.  The flower smells pretty bad for about 24 hrs.  After 3-4 days, the bloom collapses.  A time lapse video of the blooming can be found here.

Cephallotus follicularis (Albany or Australian pitcher plant)

It opened!!

Cephallotus follicularis (Albany or Australian pitcher plant)

Taken 24 MAR 11.  The large pitcher grew in the last month.

Ball Python Cage (Empire Strikes Back, Dagobah theme)UPDATE #3

The hide box is close to it's final shape

The back potion will be fixed in place.  The front will be removable for access.

The pool has been formed, and the first coat of water stop cement has been added.

See the original post here.

See update #1 here.

See update # 2 here.

See update # 4 here.



Ball Python Cage (Empire Strikes Back, Dagobah theme)UPDATE #2

Adding entryway, window, and point at the top.  Doesn't look like much, but it's getting there.

Screen shot from the movie.  This is my inspiration.  I will have to veer away from the original in some aspects in order to fit the enclosure, and meet the animal's needs.

See the original post here.

See update #1 here.

See update # 3 here.
See update # 4 here.



Ball Python Cage (Empire Strikes Back, Dagobah theme)UPDATE #1

I've done some quick shaping of the hide box (Yoda's Hut)



See the original post here.

See update # 2 here.

See update # 3 here.
See update # 4 here.



Bearded Dragon Cage

Here are a few pictures from 2004, when I build my Bearded Dragon cage.
For an update on this cage click here.
For more reptile cage projects click on the "Reptile Cages" tab at the top of this page.

Jan 2011

I think that the Bearded Dragon as well as the cats (all five of them) are equally amused with the cage being moved to the basement.