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 PRODUCT
NEW TRIM SAW SQUARES
CANNED ICE BLOCKS
Cuts Accurate Slices, Too
Traditional blocks which come with a few challenges – tapered on two sides, a medium to heavy white feather at the core and a weight of close to 400 lbs, are just three - have taken a back seat to the crystal clear Clinebell block over the last few years.
Now, the traditional block is getting a new lease on life thanks to a little R&D and some engineering work by Dean Carlson, Styled Ice, West Palm Beach, FL.
Dean played with his canned system and with a lot of patience, a big helping of trial and error and one or two trips back to the drawing board, he managed to produce a traditional block with next to no feather in the center.
The next problem was developing a way to remove the taper on two sides and square the block. Dean spotted a system which sparked his creative mind and he set about designing and building a trim saw specifically for the job.
After six months and a couple of prototypes, Dean’s new trim saw is ready for the market. It is compact and priced lower than a conventional band saw, takes up considerably less space, is easy to operate and can cut slices quickly and accurately, time after time. 
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COMMENTARY
WHEN TIMES ARE TOUGH
IS THE TIME TO PLAN
What can we say ? Business is still slow and everybody is reacting to the situation in different ways. Some have cut prices and are selling wherever they can just to keep dollars turning over. Others have taken a second job to supplement income during this economic downturn. A few have even shut up shop altogether or have managed to sell their business.
Who’s right ? Whatever path we choose to take, there is little doubt that things will be different when business does rebound. Corporations will be wary when planning their events, Event Planners will be watching budgets carefully and I am sure the ice carving industry will have to make adjustments.
Our approach has been to take a close look at our operation. We have had layoffs but generally, we are trying to become leaner and meaner. We are planning sales trips more efficiently and we economize wherever we can. We have taken a close look at our advertising and marketing programs and scratched our heads to find new and better ways of becoming more efficient in all areas.
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GENERAL INTEREST
ESKIMO ICE ESTABLISHES A
STYLE OF THEIR OWN
How many times have you seen a photograph of an ice sculpture and you instantly recognize the style and can put a name to the sculptor ?
If you follow the competition circuit, or are active in the business side of the industry, you can quickly identify style and subject material and can more often than not, put the name of a company or an individual to the piece.
And so it is with Eskimo Ice, London, UK. The workmanship of carver, Percy Salazar and CNC technician, Clemente Gava is becoming instantly recognizable.
This ring featuring a crystal clear diamond mounted on the frosted ring with red, blue and gold lettering makes an impressive focal point for an Indian wedding.
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PEOPLE
MAMMOTH PORTABLE ICE LOUNGE
ATTRACTS ATTENTION
The ice lounge phenomenon is still on a roll with new installations appearing all over the world. The next generation of this popular development is the portable ice lounge, and several companies are working on variations of this concept.
In Australia, Mammoth Ice is already offering a commercial version of a portable ice lounge and it has been available for some time.
The portable ice lounge is designed for short and long-term rental or can be bought outright.
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PEOPLE
STEVE BRICE HEADS
SOUTH TO TEACH
Steve Brice is a NICA Certified Master Carver and 14-time World Champion who is recognized worldwide for his skills as a tutor. In August, he is taking time out from his busy schedule and will be heading down from Alaska to conduct two ice carving workshops.
The first stop is at Greg Butauski’s Elegant Ice studio in Columbus, Ohio where he will share his experience in two three-day sessions, one on carving faces and hands, and the other on human anatomy. Dates are August 14 to 20, 2009.
Steve then moves north across the border into Canada where he will run a slightly shortened course on the same subjects at Iceculture, in Hensall, Ontario. Aaron Costic of Elegant Ice will be Steve’s assistant during the Canadian stop and will help to ensure sure students receive personal coaching. Dates are August 25 to 27, 2009. call (907) 455-4519.
Both workshops involve intensive, hands-on sculpting and detailed instruction. Only a limited number of students will be accepted. The Canadian workshop will cover two longer working days – 8 am to 8 pm - and refreshments, lunch and a light supper will be included in the registration fee.
For hotel recommendations and direction details for the Canadian event, contact Jessica at jess@iceculture.com.
Students interested in registering should contact Steve Brice as soon as possible at stevebrice@gci.net or by calling (907) 455-4519.
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GENERAL INTEREST
A FUNDRAISER WITH A TWIST
Ryan McDougall, Ice Occasions, Las Vegas sent in a story about the giant martini glass his company created for a fundraising event in the city.
Ryan claims his martini glass was the biggest in Las Vegas, if not in US – holding 20 gallons of Blue Sapphire gin. Has there ever been a bigger ice glass ? If you know of one, let us know.
Las Vegas Mayor, Oscar Goodman felt he was the happiest man in town as he played host for the event staged for Opportunity Village. Even the cocktail prompted a new name for the martini – the Opportunity.
The martini glass stood close to 7ft tall and initially there was some concern about the amount of liquid being held in the ice but no worries as the sculpture lasted well into the evening.
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PRODUCT
NATURAL SHELL VENEERS
SHOW UP WELL IN ICE
Aqua Blue Maui in Hawaii has been manufacturing Mother of Pearl veneers for 14 years for the architectural and interior design industries. With 450 different colors in the line, the company is now researching the possibility of making the veneers available to the ice carving industry.
When illuminated from the front, the veneers have a striking effect. As expected, some veneers are more effective in ice than others but for ice décor at special events and so on, they offer an interesting option.
There are two types of veneer, the natural shell Thin Lam product and the Tranz Pearl. There is one product in the line that looks similar to stained glass.
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BUSINESS & EDUCATION
DOING THE RIGHT THING
IN TOUGH TIMES
‘If you have read a newspaper or tuned into the news of late, it’s all doom and gloom about the economy. And, it’s causing many business owners to do the opposite of what they should be doing right now’. So says business philosopher and motivational speaker, Charlie Cook.
‘I hope you are not one of those who are cutting back on marketing or new product introductions. This is exactly the wrong thing to do’, he explains.
‘Now is the time to take action to grow your business. You may have seen a great New York Times story fairly recently’. In an interview with Warren Buffet, one of the most successful investors in history, he admitted to buying up shares and companies and depressed real estate like crazy.
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