Monday, September 23, 2013

"Topper" Secret

For going on almost two years now, IDM has been making these really cool, one-of-a-kind Wine Toppers!  We have gotten a lot of positive feedback about them and are selling them on Etsy http://www.etsy.com/shop/IdeaDesignMake along with having a few local shops in the area requesting to carry them! 

It's really funny when we show people these Wine Toppers for the first time.  They always seem to be amazed by asking "How did you make that?"  Well my very smart partner in life has a few tricks up his sleeve and in fact, is in the process of making a few as I write.  We thought it might be interesting to others to share a little bit of what goes into the handmade (and a bit tedious) process of one of our newest topper favorites, the Cross-Hatch Tapered Topper in Maple.

 
 
As with everything, the making-process takes place in the shop! This image shows the "Blanks" that have been started in the early phase of product development.  There still needs to be boring, sanding, corking, and a 2 to 3-part finishing process, which will go into these toppers before they are completed!

 
The next two images show the "Blocking" and "Gluing" of the Cross-Hatch Tapered Topper "Blank".
 

 
Clamps, of course are some of Adam's best friends in the shop! And as a side note:  You can never go wrong with giving him more clamps for any occasion!
 
 
This is what it looks like after Toppers have been shaped and what they look like during the finishing process!  Adam devised a keen way to address the finishing of multiple Toppers at once!  This custom stand does a nice job of holding the Toppers in place, so that they can be stained and allowed to dry.
 

 
Dry Baby Dry!  As you may have noticed, these Toppers are stained with a walnut finish and are made in a "Hatch" style rather than the newer "Cross-Hatch" style.  These Toppers should be ready for shipment in about 24 hours! 
 
 
And here you go!  The end product ~ Voila! 
They really do make great gifts to wine-enthusiast friends or as "selfie"-gifts for the wine lover in you!  Visit them on Etsy before the holidays!
 
 
 









No comments:

Post a Comment