Wood Brain at the Unique Spring Show 2013

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Our first ever Unique LA show was a huge success. We had such an amazing weekend.

Our booth was a collaboration between, Dawn Sinacori of Seadrift Soul, Meredith Harbuck of Meriebabie handbags and myself Lindsay Zuelich of Wood Brain. The three of us shared a 10'x20' booth space and used all the footage to our advantage. We had many creative meetings between the three of us, gathering our concepts and designs for our booth space. Meredith did a mock up of what the three of us envisioned for our space for the Spring 2013 show in Sketch-Up. (pictured below)

Concept sketch for our booth 

Sketch-up model by Meredith Harbuck

The Unique LA Spring show is held every year on Mother's Day weekend in the California Mart's penthouse suite on the 13th floor. It was our first time participating in a Unique show. We wanted to be a fully prepared for anything we would run into during our set-up at the California Mart. 

We were one of the first to arrive on set-up day Friday May 10th the day before the show. We made many trips using the freight elevator and learned some tips from the veterans that had done these shows many of times. After everything was off loaded we went to work on constructing our booth. We detoured a little from our original design model but in the end we were happy with our booth layout. check out the pictures below for a little recap of set-up and the show.

Friday morning our booth bare, before set-up

Dawn Sinacori doing a little paint touch up after the wall installation 

Our Amazing helpers for the weekend displaying our signs

Booth Space 152 in the Eco-Friendly section

Booth 152

Seadrift Soul, Meriebabie and Wood Brain

(click on the photo above to check out a short vine video I did of our booth space)

(give the video a second to start after you click on it & it redirects you)

(click on the photo above to check out a short vine video I did of our booth space)

(give the video a second to start after you click on it & it redirects you)

(left to right)

Dawn Sinacori of Seadrift Soul, 

(myself) Lindsay Zuelich of Wood Brain,

Meredith Harbuck of Meriebabie handbags 

Now that all the fun is over for the Unique LA Spring show, its time for me to gear up for the Unique CAMP June 6-9. I'll be headed to a outdoors business conference for 4 days. I'll be sure to write a blog about all my adventure when I get back. In the mean time you can check out more about the Unique CAMP on this link.

Wood Brain will be at Unique LA Spring show and CAMP Unique

Unique LA is the largest independent design show in the country, attendees get the rare chance to meet and shop directly from over 350 hand-selected designers and artists. The exciting two-day shopping event makes it easy to buy local and shop handmade. The products at the show are proudly made right here in the USA. 

Applications opened for the Spring 2013 show on Febuary 18th and closed on March 31. I applied for a (10'x20') shared booth along with two other amazingly talented people, Meredith Harbuck from meriebabie handbags and Dawn Sinacori from seadrift soul. The three of us currently have a 10'x30' booth down at Crafted in San Pedro. We've been looking forward to applying for Unique for quite some time now and applied for the show the day applications came out. We eagerly awaited April 1st when they sent out notifications of acceptances. Exciting news came in the form of an email that day, notified us that we had been accepted into the Spring 2013 Unique LA Show...

Dawn Sinacori .  Lindsay Zuelich .  Meredith Harbuck

The 2013 UNIQUE LA Schedule
The Spring Show will arrive at California Market Center May 11+12

For more information about Unique LA click on this image above-

Cost: $10 at the door, or buy online to reserve your free tote bag Kids 12 and under are free. 

At each show 10% of all ticket sales go to a partnering non-profit, we’re proud to be working with the Downtown Women’s Center (DWC) for the Spring Show.

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 Admission includes:

• An exclusive UNIQUE LA tote bag, each one featuring a different artist’s work. Our last bag featured an illustration by Brian Rea who recently collaborated with Marni and illustrates the New York Times “Modern Love” column every week in the Sunday Styles section)! *for the first 5000 people through each day

• Unlimited re-entry for both days

• Our UNIQUE directory & mini-magazine!

• Free cocktails from our friends at Art in the Age, plus free drinks from IZZE, Honest Tea, GT’s Kombucha and more!

• Free DIY workshops + crafts from author Marisa Lynch all weekend long!

• Free photo booth portraits and a print at the Oh Snap Studios Photo Booth

• Our curated cafe featuring LA’s best restaurants and trucks, so you can enjoy lunch or dinner, snacks, coffee or a sweet treat

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OUR MISSION IS TO HELP ENTREPRENEURS SUCCEED

Our formula is simple; gather a network of like-minded doers, place them in the environment of a summer camp and provide a curated curriculum that allows them to rediscover the youthful idea that “anything is possible.”

I was very excited to hear about Uniques newest project CAMP Unique, a new style of business retreat, geared towards creative small businesses. I was also stoked to find out that CAMP will be held in Big Bear at the YMCA's Camp Whittle, the same place I was a camp councilor for many years. 

I'm looking forward to attending CAMP  in June.

June 6 – 9, 2013.  All Camper’s board a private bus that departs from Los Angeles the morning of Thursday June 6, and return to Los Angeles in the afternoon, Sunday June 9th. 

(Click picture above for link to CAMP schedule)

(Click on the pictures above for more information)

The Rhino Project - by Wood Brain

I've love those Nation Geographic documentaries about far off places like Africa and recently I did my part to help save a Rhino in need. One day while at my shop at CRAFTED, a cute little lady approached me looking for the Wood Brain person that she had heard so much about.

She told me how her husband had brought this hand sculpted wood Rhino back from Italy and somehow one of its ears had broken off. She was really upset and was on a mission to bring her Rhino back to its original state. She asked me to take a look at it and see if there was anything I could do for him.  When I picked him up I was surprised at how heavy he was. I could tell right away that this little guy was special and was made of an exotic wood most likely ebony, it was deceiving in weight. There was great deal of care that went into the construction of this little guy.

From time to time I receive unique request for custom wood working projects, and this was definitely one of those projects. I quoted her a good price for the restoration of her Rhino's ears, which she happily agreed upon.

I had never saved a Rhino before, but I know that if I put my Wood Brain to it that I could help bring this little guy back to normal. I informed her that it would be best to make a set of two new ears for him and that the procedure would take me a few days, but would need about a week to recover before being returned back to her.

I transported the Rhino to the Wood Brain Workshop and after getting him settled in I went looking through my exotic wood collection to see what would work best for his new set of ears. I found a great piece of dark walnut that I knew would work as a good foundation for his new ears. I carefully removed his existing left ear and placed it on my surgical table which I used as a template for his new replacement ears.

I used my scroll saw to cut out the new set of ears and with great patience and attention to detail I sculpted the ears out of the walnut wood with my dremmel tool to form the new ears. I then used multiple grit types of sandpaper to achieve the smooth finish his ears needed. It then took me two more diligent days of staining the walnut wooden ears to match it's original ebony appearance. After that I attached his new set of ears and allowed him to recover for a few more days.

Once I knew he was strong enough to return, I called my cute new friend to inform her that her Rhino had made a great recovery and arranged for her to pick up her new and improved Rhino at my shop at CRAFTED. When she was reunited with her Rhino, the cute little lady was over joyed. She was so happy to see her Rhino back to his full glory.

Seeing this happy Wood Brain Customer reunited with her wood Rhino is what keeps my passion for wood working fueled. 

Donating Trees = Trees for the Future

"Since 1989, Trees for the Future has been helping communities around the world plant trees. Through seed distribution, agroforestry training, and our country programs, we have empowered rural groups to restore tree cover to their lands. Planting trees protects the environment and helps to preserve traditional livelihoods and cultures for generations.” Trees for the Future-

Check out this short video about Trees for the Future:

50 Million Trees and Counting: Trees for the Future

treesftf·Uploaded on Nov 30, 2006

(http://www.plant-trees.org) This 8 minute video documents the work of Dave Deppner and Trees for the Future. Communities around the world turn to Trees for the Future for technical knowledge and planting materials so that they can bring degraded lands and struggling farmlands back to sustainable productivity. Since 1988, Trees for the Future (TFTF) has helped thousands of communities in Central America, Africa, and Asia improve their livelihoods and their environment by planting nearly 50 million trees in agroforestry and reforestation projects. Each year these trees remove over one million tons of CO2 from the atmosphere.

Trees = Wood

Wood = Wood Brain

Wood has always been my go-to medium for art, as well as furniture and custom projects. You could say I always have wood on the brain and that's why I named my business 'Wood Brain'. Pretty much all the wood I use is reclaimed wood that I personally find and collect. I make wood planters from driftwood that I collect from many hikes down to the local coastlines. On any given trip I collect around 50LBS of driftwood. I also make wood jewelry from broken branches, which I cut into more refined pieces of wood, as well as scrap woods from past projects. I never let any piece of wood go to waste, even down to the sawdust, which I also incorporate into my jewelry.

Pieces can be found here

Wood Brain = Donating Trees 

I really wanted to to find a way to give back to the trees that have helped me become successful. I decided to help plant more trees so that more people across the world could enjoy their benefits and beauty so I did some research and found Trees for the Future. I like what they had to say about planting trees:

'Why plant trees? Because they change lives. They provide food, forage for animals, and wood for fuel and construction. They increase agricultural yields, improve water infiltration and aquifer recharge, and protect soils from wind and water erosion.'

Sounds good to me! 10 cents will get one tree planted through Trees for the Future. They have already planted 50 million trees and they are still counting. They need our support to plant trees and change lives. With just $25.00 I helped plant 250 trees and that is a good start. I'm now setting aside a portion of my annual sales to donate to Trees for the Future.  I'm working my way up to donating 10,000 trees within the next five years!

Donating Trees = Trees For The Future

If you want to help it's easy. Trees for the Future gratefully accepts donations to support their tree planting programs (minimum donation $5). Ten cents plants a tree - $25 will plant 250 trees, $100 will plant 1,000 trees...and so on!  Plus you will receive a receipt for your tax-deductible contribution. It only take about three minutes, trust me I know- I donated.

For those of you who are not completely sold on donating that's ok. All I can do is plant the seed that trees are good for everyone, including you. Here are 22 of the best reasons to plant and care for trees or defend a tree’s standing (from Tree People):

Trees combat the greenhouse effect

Global warming is the result of excess greenhouse gases, created by burning fossil fuels and destroying tropical rainforests. Heat from the sun, reflected back from the earth, is trapped in this thickening layer of gases, causing global temperatures to rise. Carbon dioxide (CO2) is a major greenhouse gas. Trees absorb CO2, removing and storing the carbon while releasing the oxygen back into the air. In one year, an acre of mature trees absorbs the amount of CO2 produced when you drive your car 26,000 miles.

Trees clean the air

Trees absorb odors and pollutant gases (nitrogen oxides, ammonia, sulfur dioxide and ozone) and filter particulates out of the air by trapping them on their leaves and bark.

Trees provide oxygen

In one year an acre of mature trees can provide enough oxygen for 18 people.

Trees cool the streets and the city

Average temperatures in Los Angeles have risen 6°F in the last 50 years as tree coverage has declined and the number of heat-absorbing roads and buildings has increased.

Trees cool the city by up to 10°F, by shading our homes and streets, breaking up urban “heat islands” and releasing water vapor into the air through their leaves.

Trees conserve energy

Three trees placed strategically around a single-family home can cut summer air conditioning needs by up to 50 percent. By reducing the energy demand for cooling our houses, we reduce carbon dioxide and other pollution emissions from power plants.

Trees save water

Shade from trees slows water evaporation from thirsty lawns. Most newly planted trees need only fifteen gallons of water a week. As trees transpire, they increase atmospheric moisture.

Trees help prevent water pollution

Trees reduce runoff by breaking rainfall thus allowing the water to flow down the trunk and into the earth below the tree. This prevents stormwater from carrying pollutants to the ocean. When mulched, trees act like a sponge that filters this water naturally and uses it to recharge groundwater supplies.

Trees help prevent soil erosion

On hillsides or stream slopes, trees slow runoff and hold soil in place.

Trees shield children from ultra-violet rays

Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the United States. Trees reduce UV-B exposure by about 50 percent, thus providing protection to children on school campuses and playgrounds - where children spend hours outdoors.

Trees provide food

An apple tree can yield up to 15-20 bushels of fruit per year and can be planted on the tiniest urban lot. Aside from fruit for humans, trees provide food for birds and wildlife.

Trees heal

Studies have shown that patients with views of trees out their windows heal faster and with less complications. Children with ADHD show fewer symptoms when they have access to nature. Exposure to trees and nature aids concentration by reducing mental fatigue.

Trees reduce violence

Neighborhoods and homes that are barren have shown to have a greater incidence of violence in and out of the home than their greener counterparts. Trees and landscaping help to reduce the level of fear.

Trees mark the seasons

Is it winter, spring, summer or fall? Look at the trees.

Trees create economic opportunities

Fruit harvested from community orchards can be sold, thus providing income. Small business opportunities in green waste management and landscaping arise when cities value mulching and its water-saving qualities. Vocational training for youth interested in green jobs is also a great way to develop economic opportunities from trees.

Trees are teachers and playmates

Whether as houses for children or creative and spiritual inspiration for adults, trees have provided the space for human retreat throughout the ages. 

Trees bring diverse groups of people together

Tree plantings provide an opportunity for community involvement and empowerment that improves the quality of life in our neighborhoods. All cultures, ages, and genders have an important role to play at a tree planting or tree care event.

Trees add unity

Trees as landmarks can give a neighborhood a new identity and encourage civic pride.

Trees provide a canopy and habitat for wildlife

Sycamore and oak are among the many urban species that provide excellent urban homes for birds, bees, possums and squirrels.

Trees block things

Trees can mask concrete walls or parking lots, and unsightly views. They muffle sound from nearby streets and freeways, and create an eye-soothing canopy of green. Trees absorb dust and wind and reduce glare.

Trees provide wood

In suburban and rural areas, trees can be selectively harvested for fuel and craft wood.

Trees increase property values

The beauty of a well-planted property and its surrounding street and neighborhood can raise property values by as much as 15 percent.

Trees increase business traffic

Studies show that the more trees and landscaping a business district has, the more business will flow in. A tree-lined street will also slow traffic – enough to allow the drivers to look at the store fronts instead of whizzing by.

http://www.treesforthefuture.org/donate/

Thanks again for taking a look! 

Sincerely,

Wood Brain by Lindsay Zuelich