This space is kindof a clearinghouse for fun projects that I've done here and there, and managed to get pictures of. . . I'm notoriously bad at taking the time and effort to get good photos, so most are substandard, but you'll get the idea : )

Made this stuff during my tenure at the Toluca Lake Trader Joe's:

This coffee cup and shark were made during my 'lath and plaster' phase. . . I had that back room a mess for weeks! Also made the toothbrush (it's wood) and the stuff spilling out of the cup is raffia. . . and YES!! I realize Jaw's eyes are WAAAYY too high up on his head. . . we had no internet connection for reference, and I was in a hurry. The lil' plaster lumps that I stuck on dried in position before i realized that they were too high. . . oh well, shit happens. . . the overall effect was still good. . . little kids loved that thing!

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It was then decided that the exterior of the store needed some gussying up. . . so, after a stroll around the rather upscale surrounding neighborhood, I proposed a tile mosaic. Classier than the campy tropical murals at other stores, and fit in nicely with the mediterranean/moorish theme of the homes in the area. . . and grafitti and weather-proof! And the neighborhood council and city hall loved it.

"in progress" detail. . . had to make this in pieces in the back room. Breaking up the tile was fun!

The whole thing, installed. . .at night. . . I TOLD you I was a crummy photographer!

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Now, just so you don't think I'm above the aforementioned "campy tropical murals", this went up around the entrance/exit. . .

Yep, those torches actually light up. And yes, I built and wired them myself.

AWFUL flourescent lighting! Ick! These later got trimmed out with bamboo. . .

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Chalk--goes above the walermelon bin when they're in season. Meant to be read with the same cadence as Tarzan's "aaaaa AA uuuu uh UUUHHH"

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We got this new produce fixture with pull-out drawers. . . but no sides! So they apples were falling all over the place, including BEHIND the drawers, which then prevented them from being closed. . . (and I'll bet that idiot designer makes six figures a year. . . )

And management figured out that I was good with tools. . . (o.k., I may have volunteered that information. . . !) so I built these plexiglass divider thingies that did the trick. And looked nice, to boot.

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