Consultation and Design
We were contacted by someone looking for a custom rocking animal as a gift for her expecting friend. She was interested in something 'woodland' in nature - bear, deer, fox, etc. and at that time, we hadn't branched out into the rest of our current menagerie but were excited to help out however we could! Thankfully she had some inspiration of her own and gave us a photo that had spurred the thought in her mind. With that settled, we set out to sketch a set of templates.
While my pops and I are good with our hands, it certainly doesn't mean we're modern-day Picasso's by any stretch of the imagination. We are NOT draftsmen and most of the time I need a ruler to draw anything resembling a straight line - although I promise you my hands are steadier on the bandsaw. Needless to say, it took us a few iterations to get to a set of templates that ended up looking like a small malformed horse. With no artists around to enlist as help, we were in a pickle. It finally seemed that growing up messing around with computers and tech was about to pay off. I was one heck of a tracer back in my kindergarten days and the proverbial light-bulb clicked on in my head - a projector would do the trick! Thankfully the one we found is basically idiot proof, meaning both of us can use it without trading numerous frustration-laden texts back and forth.
Projector in hand, the Most Interesting Man in the World got to redrawing our template. Dos Equis say he's retiring to Mars, don't believe them, he's in a basement workshop in Northern New Jersey puttering around, see below for definitive proof.
With a set of templates that would ensure this custom rocking fox would actually resemble a fox, we were ready to start cutting.
// Runners //
// Initial cuts //
// Tail detail //
// Torso taking shape, handlebar, and facial detail //
// Getting close //
// Sanded to a buttery-smooth finish //
// Ready for the finishing touches //
// Good to go! //
// Testing the colors //
// Angelo, brush in hand, cigar in mouth, working his magic on the custom rocking fox //
// Whitewashed belly and black foreleg accents done! //
After a lot of hard work, obstacles, sawdust and paint stains we were ready to show off our newest member of the Pane Perso Woodcrafts family, il Bosco Volpe, our custom rocking fox!
// The glamor shot //
Thanks for checking out our first-ever custom build! What did you think? Have any questions or curious for more? Drop us a line or leave a comment below!
We're thrilled with the results and hope you are too - check it out now in our shop!
Angelo and Matt
]]>If you've ever caught yourself thinking, "I wonder what goes into the making of these horses?!", you've come to the right place!
Here's our shop (excuse the buzzing sound in the back, that's the air compressor refilling the tank):
And here is the man, the myth, the legend, my father Angelo hard at work:
That's all for now, check back often for more news, info and videos of behind-the-scenes action!
Saluti,
Angelo and Matt
]]>and his incredible woodworking skills with my not-so-typical CPA entrepreneurial style and discerning eye. Ever since I could remember - and not fall down the stairs to his workshop - I've been watching him fix, adjust, install and create everything from my parents' kitchen cabinetry to the beautiful Pane Perso rocking horses that have been treasured heirlooms in our extended family for decades. If he wasn't playing soccer or puttering around our yard, he could be found in his workshop amidst a haze of sawdust and cigar smoke creating something.
Our family, both immediate and extended, have benefitted from this over the years, with Pane Perso rocking horses residing in no less than four different states, ten households, and within countless hearts and minds. It was the hours upon hours spent by his side that gave me true appreciation for the time, attention to detail, and craftsmanship that went into everything he made. Not only that, but the outpouring of passion for and love of the act of creation as well, made me realize that his talent was truly something remarkable, something the world needed to see.
In a world of mass consumerism, one where it's deemed 'easier' to throw something out and buy it anew instead of creating quality products that stand the test of time, Pane Perso rocking horses are head and shoulders above the assembly-line masses. The original Cavallo Lavanese rocking horse my father made for my sister over 30 years ago still sits in our family home, as pristine, impressive, and beautiful as the day he applied the last coat of varnish.
After making rocking horses for nephews, nieces, family and friends for decades, we've decided to share our passion and our creations with you! We specialize in rocking horses (and other animals...just ask!) and household woodcrafts (pallet coffee tables, wood-cookie bicycle racks, coasters). Don't see an animal you'd like to see rocking along in your home? Give us a shout and we'd be more than happy to chat about custom orders!
Voler bene,
Angelo and Matt
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