Experiment with Nature » shop

Cruiser Skateboard Decks

Steve Ebert — Thu, 02 Jul 2015 20:32:18 +0000

After hand-shaping and raffling off a custom axe at last year’s Agenda Show Long Beach, we knew it was going to be difficult to come up with something even more impressive for this year’s show. In the process of brainstorming and talking over a few options and ideas, someone threw out the possibility of making something out of the same materials we use for our glasses. After making snowboards at the beginning of winter last year (check out that post HERE) skateboards seemed like a logical next step. The problem arose, however, that we wouldn’t be able to use power tools in the middle of a bustling tradeshow. So we set out to explore the possibility of making a few decks almost entirely with hand-tools.

To start the process, we selected material combinations from some of our most popular sunglasses options, and designed a few different shapes of decks. The plies were then cut to shape on the laser and arranged for pressing.

Each ply was coated with glue and arranged to be molded by the form above. Once arranged, the plies were placed against the form and inserted into this vacuum bag, which is operated by a small, quiet generator and vacuum pump.

After the plies are pressed and dried, the resulting planks are then cut to shape using a coping saw and ready for finishing.

After a good amount of sanding, once the edges were rounded and smooth, the deck was ready to have the holes drilled. Using the holes cut on the laser as guides, we created the hardware holes using this old-time styled hand-drill.

Once that was done a light coat of shellac was applied to protect and beautify the decks, and they are ready for assembly. See below for a few shots of the finished product!

Our founder, Eric Singer, will be hand-shaping another deck during the two days of Agenda Long Beach, and then we will be raffling one of the beauties off! If you are planning on attending stop by booth No. F35 to check out the process in person and enter for your chance to win!

Common People

Jillian Barkley — Mon, 29 Oct 2012 17:59:25 +0000

In a quest to redefine the traditional shopping experience, Monika Biringer and Max Feldman opened Common People in January 2010. The carefully curated concept store merges high-fashion, art, design, music, and food for a well-rounded yet totally unique shopper experience. This is what Monika had to share with us:

COMMON PEOPLE
Emilio Castelar 149
Col. Polanco
11560 Mexico City
commonpeople.com.mx

Describe a typical Common People customer:

Our typical customer shops with his third eye open.

How do you decide what brands to carry?

We’re always seeking for products that speak for themselves. We look for innovation, quality, design and uniqueness. We try to promote emerging brands as well as have a taste of the most trend-setting brands around the world. We look for a variety of prices so everybody can find something they can buy in Common People and take not only a product, but the story behind it too.

Would you consider Mexico City to be fashion-forward?

We believe that México is at the turning point of becoming a fashion forward city. We have incredible national brands and talent that are beginning to be known worldwide and an incredible artisanal background of handmade products that are being incorporated into the fashion industry.

How is Common People involved in the community?

We have a beautiful selection of fair-trade products made in different communities around the country and by putting them in the store, we take them out of their context of being a souvenir and make it possible for them to become a fashion accessory or decoration item for your house. We try to involve and promote as many green brands as possible, anything that helps the environment or incorporates recycling in their manufacturing.

What do handcrafted brands bring to your shop?

Uniqueness, consciousness in the clients, the beauty of remembering how in this globalized world you can still find and acquire a handcrafted product.