The "Balboa Park Carousel Egg"

Hi,
My name is Jim Grahl. I'm nearing 78 years old, 62 of those years have been continuously devoted to jewelry and industrial design. My training initiated with a Los Angeles workshop that was the contract (or outsource) manufacturer for Van Cleef and Arpels, Gump's, Pierre Touraine and many others that were the foundation of the West Coast's fine Art~Jewelry establishment. I have formal apprenticeships in Pave' setting (Gerardo Terranova) and ancillary training in platinum-smithing, machining, and antique musical restoration. My personal business ( J.Grahl Design ) was founded at the outset and has been in continuous operation for 48 years. (as of 2012). I'm a maker-builder at heart.
All of the items shown in the photographs and illustrations here, on "Custom Made", are exactly that… Custom Made. You will see many cross over categories in metal, wood, glass and illustration-art. I am deeply involved with both vintage autos and surfing, so items relating to those topics are exposed here as well. There are generally a few of my projects available for live viewing at the Museum at the Gemological Institute of America as well as The San Diego Natural History Museum. The Gemological Institute requires prior notification for a visit.
So enough of me, one's work should speak for itself.
Having a piece of work custom made is an enjoyable process if communication is clear, to that end, a phone call, short check list of objectives, mutually agreed upon budget and a few rough sketches are useful in beginning a project. To move forward accurate renderings and a deposit ( along with a delivery date) start the process in motion. A great deal of my work has been commissioned out of state and out of country, so again, clear communication has been critical to those successes.

Thank you,
Jim Grahl
J.Grahl Design

For reference,
My business offers services in the following areas;
Design
Illustration
Project and product development
Art, originals and prints (Automotive )
Automotive design (vintage restoration)
Metal smithing
Bronze, brass, aluminum, titanium, steel fabrication
Custom wood working, design, prototyping, (small scale)
Production development for line items
Pewter & white metal design & production
Cast Iron design and production
Organizing outsourced production for direct client turnover

I have a particular specialty in Natural, South Sea and collectable cultured pearls. Please view,
www.NaturalPearlSociety.org