Sculptures For Wedding Table Centerpieces
A couple had an idea for centerpieces for the tables at their wedding. Their initial plan was to make models of molecules using plastic pieces glued together. After several attempts, they decided that it was not going to work like they planned. They approached me about a month and a half before the wedding and explained their concept, and asked if I thought I could help out. I took the concept, and approximate dimensions and came back with a couple examples. They liked the examples and requested them plus enough for all of the guest tables. Afterward they kept some of their favorites for their collection and used the remaining as gifts for the wedding party. All of the pieces were created using steel reclaimed from various sources. Color was added using enamel paint and each piece was given a protective clear coat of acrylic lacquer.
Material
- reclaimed
- steel
Features
- eco-friendly
Base
- metal
Finish
- paint
Meet the Maker
Bob Chapman
Chappy Productions
My interest in metalwork began at a young age while visiting my grandpa's farm when he was shoeing the horses. I was fascinated with how the metal could be formed and shaped. Several years later, while in high school metal shop, I learned the basics of forming sheet metal as well as gas and arc welding. This reinforced my love of metal and opened up a whole new world of creation that, unfortunately was put on hold shortly after graduation. A couple decades later, I began work resto-modding a '53 Chevy pickup. This ended up a reminder of my love for metalwork.
During the process, I was able to see the craftsmanship and metalwork performed by human hands as compared to modern cars. This also caused me to take notice of other everyday things once made of metal with fine detail but are now hum-drum and made from plastic.
This prompted me to take the skills I had learned so far and see what else I could do with the old metal. So, I dusted off my grandpa's anvil, portable forge and oxy-acetylene torch, along with the metalworking tools I acquired for the truck and began making… more scrap.
Over the next few years my creations became more and more refined and recognizable, and more people approached me to make a creation for them.
I still use primarily recycled metal, most of it is transformed and no longer recognizable from it's previous form, but in some cases it does remain intact. Many times it still has some of the character em-blemished on it from it's previous life.
No automated equipment is used and, with the exception of found objects in some pieces, no mass produced parts are used. Each project is a unique, one-off, original piece of art created by hand, by me, using "old school" techniques in my studio just outside of St. Louis, Missouri.
Thank you for stopping in to learn more about me. I look forward to working with you soon!
Customer Reviews
Ken Sutherland
Jun 3, 2022Once again - and again - Bob is our go to designer/ maker of custom business card holders! Each time we bring on a new team member we ask him to creat a holder based on a unique interest of that person. Our staff love them as do our clients. The collection on our entry table created lots of interest and conversations particularly with prospective clients. We use them when first introducing team members - adds a very personal touch to relationships. everyone looks forward to the revealing of a new holder! Thanks again Bob!
Jane McNally
Sep 18, 2021I'm sorry it took so long to review but I love my crest its exactly what we invisioned thank you so much excellent job
Pat Apostolopoulos
Jan 15, 2020Eric Yaple
Dec 23, 2019Bob at Chappy Productions is a true artist and craftsman! Bob took my vision and created it exactly as described. Bob was excellent at sending communications at every step. In less than a week Bob and I started communicating, he created the card holder and shipped it to arrive. I would highly recommend Chappy Productions on professionalism alone, add in the value of this amazing piece and there is no one else I would chose for my custom project! Thank you Bob at Chappy Productions!!
Ken Sutherland
Sep 3, 2019Final product is great - design process very simple with results always better than I imagined. I get confused with custom made project on line process but Bob helped me through it.
