The Tin Snip Times

Can you see where I'm going with this?

2012-02-10T10:20:00.001-08:00

From dusty old plates in a garage box to someone's game room wall, Part 1.

Deep in the Heart of Texas

2012-01-27T11:31:00.001-08:00

New map, headin' south to the border in Brownsville! Moderate weather here in the D allowed from some quick pics outside. On to the next project! Enjoy.

Just another cold night out in the garage in Detroit...

2012-01-24T07:05:00.000-08:00

Started another map last night for a client down in Texas, just a few miles north of the Mexican border.

This one is coming together great, there's nothing like the feeling of assembling a stack of metal pieces and having them just "click" right together in place.

Thought you all might like to see my newest toy: a 12" DeWalt sliding miter saw. It's almost frightening what it can do, what a time saver!

Next toy I need (back on the subject of cold nights out in a garage in Detroit)... Anyone have good suggestions for an electric space heater?

Headin' To Hoboken!

2012-01-19T12:04:00.001-08:00

I've spent a lot of time at UPS this month sending shipments off to the far reaches of the country. Today's trip was to dispatch a fun medium license plate map of the USA to a gracious client in Hoboken, NJ.

Interested in a similar map? Visit my website to see all the colorful and various options!

In the mail!

2012-01-16T07:24:00.000-08:00

Had to use a new freight company for this one since I'd never shipped to Charlotte. A few days from now this license plate map will be mounted in the new home of a nationally-recognized professional athlete. This client has been a dream to work with and it's exciting to think about who might visit and see my work in person.

I hope it is thoroughly enjoyed, I am attached to each and every piece I create. This one went together particularly easily (they often don't) and I was pleased with the finish on the wood. Favorite plates on this one are the silver 1963 Montana, the 1973 green Ohio and the unusual orange Missouri plate which I had not used before.

I'm slowly catching up with my holiday orders... on to the next map!

Win a Framed and Matted Print of "Noel" in December

2011-12-01T12:03:00.000-08:00

I like to run contests. They are fun to plan, and are a great way of getting some additional exposure to your craft.

So, from December 1st (today) through the 16th, you can enter up to three different ways in a drawing for a really cool piece: a framed and matted 8" x 10" print of my piece entitled "Noel." Click here for details.

This holiday artwork was created using pieces of vintage license plates from the past. The lights, the trunk, the lettering, everything — once road around on the back of someone's automobile in the 60s and 70s!

This will be shipped to a lucky winner right in time for an infusion of original Christmas decor.

Feel free to spread the word and enter yourself here!

UPDATE: Make sure you click 'Subscribe' in the email to receive your first entry in the drawing!

Shout out to the Windy City

2011-11-30T07:38:00.001-08:00

After creating the Empire State piece I almost immediately began planning a series of iconic buildings made from license plates. I think this is going to be fun! Chicago's Sears Tower is the subject of this second piece. Created using vibrant red license plates from Illinois, this artwork would look so good in an office or studio downtown! I'm going to be selling these pieces directly from my website. Feel free to forward a link to a friend in Chicago if you like how this looks.

Stay tuned for more skyscrapers in the upcoming weeks and months! Also, I'm open to suggestions for more memorable building silhouettes.

Empire State of Mind

2011-11-28T07:22:00.000-08:00

New piece alert! I'm planning on creating this work celebrating the iconic Empire State Building. The building silhouette will be made using orange and blue New York license plates from the 1960s and 70s.

The artwork measures 24" by an impressive 48" high. Perfect for NYC lovers, residents or businesses in the area. Comes ready to hang on sturdy hooks right out the box. Contact me to express interest in this cool piece.

Aw, isn't it cute!

2011-11-23T11:42:00.000-08:00

I am always creating new variations on my popular pieces... This time it is a "small-ish" 27" x 18" license plate map of the United States. This piece would look great in a cool boy's room or an office setting. Each state is created with a portion of a license plate from that particular state, even Alaska and Hawaii.

For a limited time, this piece is available for sale on my website. Also be sure to check out the mini, medium and large versions of this signature piece!

Special Delivery!

2011-11-23T11:23:00.000-08:00

Received a truck-load of new license plates for some upcoming custom projects in 2011 and 2012. I specifically ordered some bright, bold and diverse colors from nearly every state. I love the simple slogans and rich colors of plates from the 60s and 70s especially. What we have today (flat, four-color printed synthetic plates) are a far-cry from the character of plates in days gone by.

Stay tuned to see how these are repurposed in a bunch of fun new client projects!

The Motor City License Plate Art

2011-11-02T07:08:00.000-07:00

Thought everyone would enjoy pics of a piece I created awhile back called The Motor City. It was created using the back side of two plates, lettering from plates throughout the 1960s and 70s, and a few extra shards from other plates to make the clouds and the tanker. The sun is a piece of a yellow license plate positioned right behind the Penobscot Building.

I created a series of these for other cities including Chicago and San Antonio. However due to larger projects, I have not been able to work on miniature skylines like these recently.

Prints of this Detroit piece are available here, and can be framed and matted.

NEW Photo Shoot - License Plate Map of the USA

2011-11-01T08:05:00.000-07:00

So I was happy to finish and ship another license plate map this week — this one will hang on display in the offices of a law firm in Palo Alto, California.

It was one of those projects that went smoothly from start to finish, you know one of the rare ones. The pieces just FIT... no creative nudging and squeezing a la the stepsisters and the infamous glass slipper.

I also was pleased with how the composition turned out, using some rare colorful plates I'd never seen before.

So before I packed it off the freight company, I stopped outside and snapped some quick pics of it. Honestly once again I was tempted to keep this one and ship my personal map off to an unsuspecting client! Not the first time I've felt that temptation and successfully resisted.

Enjoy!

For our friends north of the border...

2011-10-26T09:42:00.000-07:00

I am making plans to create a medium size (36" x 24") map of Canada using old Canadian license plates. This piece will be a brother / sister to my medium United States license plate map.

I think it will look really cool, and I am looking forward to the quest to get some of the rarer plates needed, like Northwest Territories and Nunavut. Canada has some great colorful and bold plates from the 1960s and 1970s.

If you are a Canadian, or have a friend who is and might be interested in learning more about this upcoming piece, feel free to email me about it!

Contest Time!

2011-09-22T10:08:00.001-07:00

I'm giving away a cool print of my United States license plate map to a lucky new subscriber to my monthly email list. Subscribers will be notified of new pieces, special discounts, new contests and more. Sign up here. Winner will be announced on October 31st! Other prints of popular pieces available here to browse and buy.

Finished!

2011-09-21T12:45:00.000-07:00

The piece I mentioned below for a high-profile client in the software industry is done!

I really like how it turned out... In fact, I thought for a minute about switching it out with mine :) But no, this will be heading out to the Golden State this weekend where hopefully it will bring years of contemplative enjoyment to its new owner.

Above: I like the new one even better than mine!

Time for some football!

2011-09-15T10:47:00.000-07:00

Two and possibly a third order in for this piece... Could it have anything to do with the thrilling overtime game this past weekend against arch-rival Notre Dame?

You decide.

Lots of new ideas

2011-09-15T10:34:00.000-07:00

Things are hopping in the license plate art and map studio these days. I'm getting a good number of orders in, and also many requests for custom pieces. That really helps in the creativity department and keeps things fresh.

Couple of examples posted here for your inspiration / enjoyment.

Take care!

Michigan License Plate Flag of the USA

2011-09-12T11:16:00.001-07:00

Finally, some pics to post from a recent, very tedious, but rewarding project.

A client in Minnesota commissioned a license plate flag of the United States - and wanted only Michigan license plates used.

Most of the plates needed were relatively easy to acquire - except the white ones. Turns out the last time a Michigan license plates was in white (mass-produced at least, I did find some obscure ones from 1970, which are included) was in 1962 and before that, 1956.

Undaunted, I began to piece together the dozens of plates I would need. Then there was the cutting. By lucky chance, 1962 plates were made of thick, nearly un-cuttable steel!

However, I am pleased (and the client too, thankfully!) with the final result. I dropped it off today for shipping, and it will live long adorning the walls of a man cave in Minnetonka.

Another Big License Plate Map in the Works

2011-09-08T10:16:00.000-07:00

I've been VERY busy this summer. Several medium size maps and a lot of other custom work has recently been capped off by an order for a HUGE license plate map. The client is a very well-known software executive on the West Coast, which is exciting.

I'm working my way East on this piece and I'm really intrigued by some of the unique and old plates I've gotten for this one. More pics coming soon! Enjoy.

New Variation of United States License Plate Map

2011-07-06T10:15:00.000-07:00

I am nearly finished with a fun new piece with a cool international background story!

A lady living and working in London contacted me and wanted to commission a license plate map of the United States for her beach house in the Caribbean. (Must be nice, LOL :)

She is redecorating her home there and has a very light and airy white-based color palette planned, so she wasn't sure about the dark finishes I typically use on license plate maps.

So, I embarked on a new quest: figuring out a light weathering, whitewashing, staining and distressing process using a set of wood boards.

The finished product was loved by my client! And so, this piece heads down to Florida where it will be picked up on the way South to sandy beaches.

Enjoy! Find out more about getting original art or prints of your own here.

Now Selling: 60" License Plate Map of the United States

2011-02-15T08:06:00.000-08:00

I am starting to sell my signature piece, the United States License Plate Map, in very limited quantities, on ebay and my website.

Your unique map of the United States will be creating using vintage plates from the 1950s, 60s, 70s and 80s. Measures about 60" x 40".

All fifty states of the Union (even Alaska and Hawaii!) are represented by a vintage license plate cut with precise detail by hand and assembled together like a jigsaw puzzle.

Each license plate map of the United States is stunning and mounted on handsomely stained wood boards. Comes ready to hang using solid D-ring hooks.

Pieces similar to this range in price from $950 to $3,900 on ebay and around the Internet. Lower-end maps use all straight cuts, poor assemblage, and state proportions are questionable. Design Turnpike delivers the best of both worlds: High quality pieces, at half the price of higher-end maps of this kind.

An instant conversation piece and a lifetime of enjoyment in any home or office.

Allow 6-8 weeks for custom creation of your piece.

4 Old Plates = 10,000 Lakes

2011-01-04T12:32:00.000-08:00

A new piece, a license plate map of Minnesota! Love the 50's plates I was able to find, especially the silver one from 1951. Hope you enjoy.

Don't miss the opportunity to obtain a canvas print of this artwork and others like it here.

Georgia on My Mind

2010-12-13T10:07:00.001-08:00

Another new fun state map piece for a new client in Atlanta. This will make a very nice Christmas gift! Enjoy.

Kentucky Wildcats License Plate Logo Art

2010-11-09T07:25:00.000-08:00

New piece! A gift for someone very special who happens to love the hoops and football team of the Commonwealth. A pile of 1972 expired Kentucky plates will live on indefinitely on this stained blue board. This was a fun one!

See more pieces here.

Buy prints here!

Arkansas!

2010-10-21T09:21:00.001-07:00

Check out a recent project I completed for a boutique in Little Rock AR called EcoFab Store. Several of these and other popular pieces will be gracing the walls of this new "green" establishment within a few days. Also, an economical print version will be on sale here.

Prints!

2010-09-22T09:46:00.000-07:00

Want a more economical option for displaying a Design Turnpike piece in your home or office? A framed and matted canvas print may be the way to go. Take a look at options and start building your piece right now by clicking here.

Cali and Texas License Plate Pieces

2010-08-23T10:20:00.000-07:00

Finished a fun project for a great client in Washington State. Pics attached.

Summer Projects!

2010-07-30T13:21:00.000-07:00

Wanted to share a couple shots of license plate art and maps recently finished or in progress... It's been a busy little stretch! Enjoy.

Opening bids of 40-80% off right now on eBay!

2010-05-27T09:02:00.000-07:00

Check it out... Some of my most popular pieces are being auctioned off on eBay right now. Click here to go take a look and put a bid in on a piece or two for yourself, a family members or a friend!

Click here to see all current auctions.

Process: Bird and Flowers License Plate Art

2010-04-13T10:21:00.000-07:00

Thought I'd reveal what it takes to create a custom piece!

1) Reference Art. In this case my client (also known as my sister!) wanted something that both tied in to her nursery bedding, and paid homage to three states near and dear to her heart: Alabama, Michigan and Virginia.

2) Making the Plan. I sketched out some ideas and then drew them in an illustration program to scale.

3) Compiling the Plates. Through various sources (online, personal collection, friends) I got ahold of the plates to be used. I wanted bold, simple plates that fit in with the color palette of the nursery.

4) Cutting the pieces. Like usual, with some time, patience and dexterity, the individual pieces for this project began to emerge.

5) Assemble and Enjoy. The finished piece was a lovely addition to my client's decor. She loved it! These plates will live on for who knows how long now instead of joining countless others in the trash heap.

Hope you liked seeing the timeline of this fun project!

Two days left on eBay - Low Bids!

2010-04-12T07:13:00.000-07:00

As I posted before, I (maybe without thinking it through quite fully!) posted several items on eBay with starting bids as low as $0.99...

These are pieces that have sold for anywhere from $50 - $500. I have had these particular ones in my office for a while and it is time for them to have a proper home. So, take a minute and check out the auctions and put in a bid if you see something you like!

Click here to view current eBay Auctions, ending in two days.

New Concepts / Ideas

2010-04-12T07:07:00.000-07:00

Here is a smattering of the things I have in the hopper these days...

Texas License Plate Map - A Barbeque Company in TX is interested in this for their lobby...

Large US Flag

Pennsylavia License Plate Map

Spartans Logo in License Plates

Rare eBay Sale - Big Discounts!

2010-04-09T10:54:00.000-07:00

Right now, through early next week, I've done something pretty crazy... Offered several pieces on eBay with opening bids of only one buck!

This is a great opportunity to get a unique gift for someone, or even yourself!

A smattering of the pieces can be seen below, but see them all here on my auctions page! Happy bidding :)

Great Lake State

2010-04-09T10:52:00.000-07:00

This remains one of my favorite pieces!

Made from a dozen or so vintage Michigan license plates from the 1960s, 70s and 80s.

Welcome to my new blog!

2010-04-09T10:29:00.000-07:00

Hope you enjoy the pieces I create. Design Turnpike creates beautiful art and maps from expired genuine, vintage license plates.

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