I recently had the privilege to collaborate with Im:mortal, a new Portland accessory design studio. Their first collection, “Future Primitive”, is inspired by the poetry of the earth. “Each piece we create is a token of our appreciation for the natural world around us. We draw from nature, from the places that are sacred to us. Inspired by old-world techniques, we craft artifacts that unite form with function to serve the modern-day sage.”



Above is the “canyon pouch”. A Laser-cut Ultrasuede circle pouch with leather feather cinch closure. Includes clear quartz crystal points inside pouch.
Below is the “desert bag”. It features laser-cut leather details and engraved bamboo pulls.



If you happen to be in New York this weekend, check them out at the New York Market/ Launch Pad Showroom. I’m excited to work with Im:mortal in the future!

For the past 5 months I have been busy starting up a new business with my friend Ken Tomita. He runs a custom commission furniture company called Tomita Designs which specializes in sustainable bamboo furniture.



Our new collaboration, grove, will focus on environmentally friendly laser customizable products made of bamboo. We are using FSC certified bamboo and making all of our products in Portland, Oregon. Finishes are all natural and packaging design will focus on reuse and recycling.

Here is a sneak peak of our first product:



We will be launching in a couple weeks, stay tuned.

Engrave recently had our warehouse-wide open house night. It was a huge success; with over 1500 visitors through the building. We unveiled some new art pieces by Jacob Escobedo, Alisha Wessler, Michael Hsiung, and Dan Strong. Also on display, were a few pieces from Project Chaboo. Thanks to all who could make it, I look forward to our next open house!

Check out some photos from the evening:

I recently laser cut a few large format art pieces for local Portland artist, Stef Choi. The characters were cut from 1/2″ thick MDF ultralight and then shaped and painted by Stef. They are part of a group show hosted by Gallery Nucleus called “sweet streets”, which is a collection of art inspired by Japanese street fashion.

Her pieces are on display at Gallery Nucleus until September 14th. Check out the video below of the pieces being laser-cut by my large format Trotec speedy 500.

My new 120 Watt Trotec Speedy 500 laser engraver recently arrived from Austria. The machine can engrave intricate details on surfaces as large as 49″x28″, while also laser cutting 1/2″ thick wood cleanly. A Trotec laser guru was flown out for two intense days of one-on-one training. This machine is truly amazing, leaps and bounds beyond any offering from Epilog or Universal Laser.

scroll to see the view from my new shop…

For those of you in the Portland area, please feel free to visit my new laser studio in the Towne Storage building. It was a challenge getting my new Trotec Speedy 500 through the door of my new space; Vic and Kelly from NW Tech handled the 1200LB laser like a sleeping baby was inside.

The machine is calibrated and I’m excited to collaborate on large format art pieces, architectural models, and other custom projects.

I’d like to welcome local Portland artist Ryan Bubnis to the Engrave Your Book leather Moleskine cover collection. The cover pictured above is laser engraved onto a vegetable tanned leather cover and is now available here. Ryan has an opening reception at Nemo in Portland this Friday.

Featured Artist- Ryan Bubnis from Nemo Design on Vimeo.

In the above video which was produced by Nemo, Ryan discusses his artwork and what you can expect at the upcoming show this friday. I’m excited to collaborate with Ryan on future projects!

Photos by Anna Campbell.

Recently, my friend Ken Tomita curated a furniture design show like no other called Project Chaboo. He brought together 50 of Portland’s finest industrial designers, architects, illustrators, inventors, engineers, and carpenters to reinterpret one of his signature designs. The design is based on a common Japanese low table, known as chabudai. I was fortunate enough to collaborate with one of the nicest illustrators in Portland, Amy Ruppel on her chaboo. I engraved her leaf design into the top surface, then laser cut felt to be infilled into the birch.

Here’s what Amy had to say about her chaboo:
“Since this chaboo is made of a green, solid material, I wanted an emblem of strength to come out of it. To me, that is a young stag in the woods. The felt helps to soften the piece and give it a sense of quiet and a tactile quality that longs to be touched. I like for my work to reflect nature and what inspires me about it. Catching a glimpse of birds or an animal in the woods is exciting to me, and I want to share that excitement.

Check out the new line of laser-cut acrylic jewelry that I produce for my friends at The Opulent Project . “The silhouettes of earrings worn by royalty are made from a plastic often used as nametags for service workers and the silhouette of ornate chandeliers are cut from fluorescent light panel covers.” I love the way the light refracts through the prismatic florescent light diffuser material! Get a pair for Mothers-day (5-11) ASAP!