Product Spotlight: All American DIY Floating Shelf Brackets

All American DIY Floating Shelf Brackets

Origins

Why

We were looking for the perfect method to display our numerous books, photo albums, and other items in our small home. Given our relatively limited space for storage, we knew that we were going to have to get creative. We also knew that we didn't want a box-store, one-size-fits-most solution. 

What

A little time spent measuring and researching revealed our answer- custom floating shelves.
A floating shelf is a shelf designed in such a way as to avoid showing large, obtrusive brackets, thus appearing to "float" on the wall. The design is popular among minimalists and those looking to create an open, airy feeling within a space. They have long been a staple of architects and interior decorators. 

How
Search the internet and you'll find there are many designs and ways to create the floating shelf effect. For our purposes however, none seemed to satisfy. We didn't want to use wonky construction, and all of the brackets available were either too weak, too complicated, or too expensive. So, being a product designer, I set out to create my own. 

Shaping the Raw Steel for the Initial Prototype

 

Testing
Now that's a lot of weight!

Once the product design was refined, prototyped, and tested, my next step was to have several brackets fabricated and finished. Making a one-off product in a garage offers a certain level of challenge, but small scale manufacturing is another ballgame altogether. 

After a couple of months of research, emails, phone calls, and site visits, I had established a supply chain- that is, a source of raw materials and a group of talented craftsmen to perform the cutting, drilling, welding, grinding, and powder coating. Whew.

Brackets and Shelves

They look and work great!

The Decision to Sell
I was impressed with the finished product and knew there were others having the same difficulties finding a worthy bracket. I also knew from my own experience that no one was providing a complete, easy to install, USA made and fabricated bracket kit that included all of the hardware necessary for the job. I could fulfill this need, and so decided to make my brackets available as a kit and offer it to the public. 

I considered a few options for marketing the supports and decided on Amazon's FBA (Fulfillment By Amazon) program. With FBA, I would be able to take advantage of Amazon's massive reach while also providing the highest level of customer service. Navigating Amazon's waters proved to be a challenge all its own, and fortunately, I had experienced friends who could help me maneuver over, around, or through the numerous obstacles.

If you are interested in viewing my shelf brackets listed on Amazon, you will find them here.

Inspiration!

As mentioned earlier, the floating shelf design has been utilized by architects and interior designers around the world and throughout time. 

Following are several beautiful images that will get your creative juices flowing.

Frank Lloyd Wright's Fallingwater
Photo Source: New Home Style | Wally Gobetz

Place shelves high, to draw attention up.
Photo Source: HGTV | Erica Reitman

Display special dishes.

Photo Source: HGTV | Erica Reitman | Ryan Garvin

Create non-traditional bookshelves

Photo Source: HGTV | Erica Reitman | Caitlin & Caitlin, Scripps Networks

Make use of dead space.

Photo Source: HGTV | Erica Reitman | Jordan Iverson

Add a colorful accent.

Photo Source: HGTV | Erica Reitman | Eric Charles

Strike a strong visual balance.

Photo Source: Homegrown Interiors | Lizzie

Provide an unexpected and useful corner detail.

Photo Source: Homegrown Interiors | Lizzie

Add utility and beauty.

Photo Source: Homegrown Interiors | Lizzie

Create a completely custom cabinet alternative.

Photo Source: Homegrown Interiors | Lizzie

Use slab wood or old barn boards to make your shelf.

Photo Source: Instructables | Mobeyplum

Conceal items for safe keeping in this clever drawer design.

Photo Source: The Discovery Trail | Andy

Begin with What You Need

The All American DIY Floating Shelf Bracket kit available at Amazon.com contains two brackets as well as all of the hardware you need to start creating your own custom shelf (shelf not included). Be sure to share your experience and ideas with these quality brackets when leaving us a review! 

All American DIY Floating Shelf Brackets

All Good Things Come to an End...? (HUON, PT 4)

Log: Monday, June 13th- Thursday, June 16th, 2016.  

When travelling, I've learned to recognize that there's a time to stop, and a time to go. The difference is usually a matter of "gut" feeling, and honing and heeding that feeling is part of my life's work. On that last morning at Camp Tamarack, a graceful Great Blue Heron had stopped for breakfast in the nearby marsh (see the last picture of HUON: Part 3), and after silently watching it for over half an hour, I was ready- and knew it was time to go.

The day's aim was Ottawa, and the route would take me north and then east through the Algonquin Provincial Park.

My encounter with the deer in NY had left me feeling fortunate and a tad hypersensitive. Had that collision involved a MOOSE however, well, that would have been a horse of a different color :)  

Algonquin Provincial Park
At ~ 7700 sq ki (3000 sq mi), it is nearly 3.5 times the size of Pennsylvania's Allegheny National Forest.

The APP has but one road (Rt 60) crossing the southern tip, which restricts access to the majority of the park's nearly 2 million wild and wooded acres to the hardy woodsman/ explorer-types. For those of us who enjoy the convenience of the "drive-thru" design of the US park system, APP may disappoint. Of course, if you fancy yourself a genuine Michael Runtz experience, bring your canoe, koonskin cap, and maps, and get lost in this renowned ecological preserve.   

Traveling one-up by motorcycle affords me the opportunity to find and set my own pace in the world. This pace will vary based on circumstance and mood, but I do favor a certain rhythm. I wake shortly after the sun, take my time breaking camp, and put on 300mi or so before settling into camp once again. Some seasoned travelers find this pace a bit brisk, others, overly luxurious. If I wasted time caring about the preferences of others, though, I might miss out on the little things, like a sign pointing me down a side street to visit "The Original Home of the Beavertail." Yes, I have time for that :)  

Home of the tasty, fried-dough Beavertail- Killaloe, Ontario

It's not all fun and pastries when I travel; I do work as well. My then-current project was what took me into Ottawa, as I sought out a Yamaha dealership having the bike for which I was designing a new accessory. While the website claimed the bike was in stock at this location, a devoid showroom and apologetic salesman proved otherwise. Determined to be of help, the salesman searched around and found what I was looking for, but it was further east- in the little town of Montreal, Quebec.
Thus far, it had simply been the signs posted in kilometers, waving red maple leaves, and obnoxiously slow and observed speed limits that reminded me I was in a semi-foreign country. Upon entering the province of Quebec, however, the abrupt change in language from English to all French both written and spoken was a sobering slap. My interest in French hadn't extended beyond the closet kissing games of my youth, so the part of my brain that solves problems through context clues was now called front and center to navigate the roadways, shops, and a pub.

Back in Ottawa, when I learned that Montreal was to be on my agenda for the day, I immediately thought of an attractive and adventuresome couple I had made acquaintance with just a couple days earlier at HU. We had gotten along easily, and an invitation had been extended to stop by their place in Montreal should I ever find myself there. Now, sometimes people say things in the joy of the moment, things they genuinely mean but don't necessarily expect to be called upon- at least, not right away. When I contacted Simon to let him know my evening's destination, I could tell he was still feeling the joy when he immediately invited me to a home-cooked meal and a couch to surf for the night. 

A Dakar 650 and classic cafe'd Triumph kept the Red Rocketship company for the evening...

...While Simon, May, and I indulged in a delicious meal, wine, stories, and laughter in their beautiful and tastefully appointed condo. 

I thoroughly enjoyed the company of this eclectic and interesting couple (and their fluffy cat), but come morning, it was back to the grind for them and on to the open road for me. 

Upon inspecting my bike that morning, I discovered that I had ignorantly been party to something very dangerous- something that could have had very dire consequences for me and/or another traveler. 

Morning inspection revealed that something was amiss.

The cap to the left tool tube that I had used for drinking at HU- and the metal coffee thermos that had so snuggly resided within- apparently decided to go AWOL somewhere between Camp Tamarack and Montreal- a distance of around 300 miles. It could have happened anywhere along the back roads or interstates upon which I had traveled that previous day. At first, I was saddened at having lost the thermos, as it had been a very thoughtful gift and useful addition to my kit. But after some consideration, I was incredibly thankful that the missing gear seemed to be the extent of the loss, as this story could have had a very different outcome.
Following are two possible scenarios that played out in my pre-caffinated mind that morning as I stood in the driveway of my Montreal hosts' chick uptown abode.

• Imagine being a driver, moving down the highway at a brisk 100km/hr (something like 20mph) and watching as this bright blue metal canister slowly slides out from the rear of the absolutely gorgeous bike with the out-of-country plate you're following. Before you could figure out what it was or react, you find yourself involuntarily bracing for impact as the metal canister hits the ground, bounces, and flips into the air, spinning wildly as it connects with and shatters your windshield. Reflexes kick in, the steering wheel gets jerked hard to starboard, and soon you find yourself rolling and tumbling and finally coming to rest upside down among a mixed mash of twisted metal, broken glass, and the strewn black ribbons from your rare Grateful Dead "Live at the Filmore" cassette collection. As you scream and pray for the fire company to arrive soon with the jaws of life to extract you from this metal coffin, you simultaneously think, "damn, I should have taken the bus to work today," and, "I'm never going to find another copy of that epic St Steven's track!" OR WORSE...
• Let's say it had been the OTHER cap, the cap on the RIGHT- the right being the side where I store my extra liter of GASOLINE- that had let loose. Now the above scenario carries a different set of consequences. Upon striking the hard concrete surface at speed, the plastic cap of the bright green fuel canister cracks, allowing the fuel- lightly pressurized due to the warm ambient temperature- to begin its escape. And as it bounces and projectiles through the fascia of the vehicle- easily busting through the thin plastic grill, puncturing the narrow aluminum radiator and getting lodged in the spinning engine fan- a spark sets the whole shebang a-flame! Then, just like in Hollywood, KABOOM goes the entire car, leaving little more than a foul briquette smelling of burnt plastic and formaldehyde in a car-sized crater. Fortunately, the vehicle would have been one of those automated Google self-drivers, and no one got hurt, but because it was also street-mapping sensitive information on government infrastructure, I would have surely been arrested for terrorism, thrown in Canadian prison, and forced into hard labor tapping maple trees and sewing flags for the rest of my days. Phew. I really dodged a bullet there.    

I double checked the remaining tool tube cap for tightness, and with normalcy restored, wandered into downtown Montreal in search of a highly recommended sandwich.
I got the sandwich- with a side of street art festival. 

Schwartz's Smoked Meat. Yum.

I'll have whatever they're having :)

After dodging city traffic and making a short jaunt down breezy Rt 133, I crossed the Canadian/ US border into Vermont. 

And just like that I was back in the good ole' US of A.

To my disappointment, I didn't see many old vehicles littering the Canadian countryside. Meanwhile, back in the US on Rt 100 headed south through Vermont, I encountered this sweet relic. Ah, it's always good to return home to the familiar.

The base of the ski resort at Killington, VT

Old friends

This may not come as a surprise if you know that I live in a small ski resort community, but I like Vermont. With crisp air, a refreshing absence of the ubiquitous and obnoxious, roadside billboards, and being full of quaint towns, ski villages, and dramatic mountain topography, Vermont is a small slice of paradise. Killington, VT also happens to be home to an old friend I hadn't seen in some 17 years. So, yes, I had time for a visit :)
One night's intended stay at Nick's mountain chalet turned into two, and I quickly found myself remembering a) why I so like the Vermont mentality, b) how good it feels to reconnect with old friends, and c) that I can't quite party like I used to- but it was fun trying. Even though I felt a bit amateur having clocked out in an easy chair prematurely that first evening, there was a silver lining. In my delirium, I had been granted a vision of my deceased father being nearby, providing a warm, peaceful sensation that made everything feel just fine.
    

The locals play some Softball.
Dudes, women, and dogs. Does it get more American?  

Staying the extra evening afforded me the chance to hang and check out the locals' softball league. While Nick was catching pop-flys and eating some hard dirt, I was casually observing and catching up on my log. The temperature was comfortable; the noise from the players' chatter and their cheering families pleasant; the cotton clouds overhead moved along at an unhurried pace; things were textbook perfect. Still, I noticed myself getting distracted. Every time a group of cycles would motor by, a trigger would pull in my psyche. I was being summoned. Being both indifferent and demanding, the road is a fickle mistress. 

Leaving Killington, I discovered that my cell phone was troubled and would not take a charge. I was feeling the pangs of withdrawal from the many conveniences this pocket-sized electronic device provided when I finally rolled into the Verizon store in nearby Rutland. Fortunately, the clerk was able to help me solve the charging problem, allowing me to reconnect to the familiar array of route planning, music, and social apps to which I may have become a bit addicted. 
Rutland, as I remembered it from having visited many years ago on a skiing trip, was a decent-sized but still charming and quaint town. Times have changed however, and strip malls, megaplexes, and fast-food franchises scar the landscape. At one time, Vermont was able to boast that it was a haven for small businesses and permitted no Walmarts, no Targets, and no Dollar stores within its borders. VT seems to be losing the battle to at least two of those three as this bit of paradise, too, is slowly succumbing to rampant consumerism.

Consuming, as with most things, is not entirely bad.

To know me is to know my love of all things pizza, and like any pizza lover, I have my favorite spots. Being that I was passing through the NW corner of PA as I made my way home, I was very excited to be able to visit one of my top-two, all-time favorite pizza-eateries, Mariano's Pucceria!

Like coming home :)

If your mouth isn't watering, check your pulse.

I had my fill and mounted the bike for the last 200 miles of road between me and home. The goodness digesting in my belly and wonderfully scenic and curvy roads of my home state conspired to produce a feeling of peace and happiness. 

As I was pulling into my driveway, three travelers who were utilizing the free campsite I established in the front of my property were just packing up and preparing to leave. Our exchange was brief but meaningful and carried out as they finished stuffing the tent and two tiny dogs into their very full compact car.

Standing in my driveway looking at my front door, a mix of joy and sadness washed over me. I was accepting that this journey had reached its end. 

But then a sound distracted me- the crunch of gravel under tires. I turned. The three travelers, their two dogs, and straining car were just turning out of the end of the driveway, when I felt that trigger- the call of the road. 

Smiling, I walked towards the door, content with the thought that for me, adventure is a lifestyle- and will always be with me wherever I am.

Final Tally

10 days
1700 miles
HUON 2016: Another journey completed.

Camp Tamarack (HUON, PT 3)

LOG: Thursday, June 9th- Monday, the 13th, 2016

Location: Camp Tamarack, Bracebridge, Ontario, Canada

Bike Mileage: 102532

Conditions: Generally cool and rainy. Highs in the 70's, lows near 40.

I have arrived!

Camp Tamarack - located above the lakes, among the lakes, and on a lake-
Muskoka District, Central Ontario

Summer cottages set among large rocks and pristine lakes is for what the Muskoka District of Central Ontario is known. If deep from your memory you can conjure images of Henry Fonda and Katherine Hepburn in the movie "On Golden Pond" or Jennifer Grey and Patrick Swayze in "Dirty Dancing," you may recall the sense of idyllic remoteness among which Camp Tamarack is situated. It holds the kind of beauty and solitude that inspires great awe and deep loneliness.

The Muskoka District as a whole is comparable in size to the US state of Rhode Island and contains over 1600 lakes. The region is home to approximately 60,000 permanent residents with another 100,000 home owners who are primarily seasonal. Some of the more famous seasonals with homes among the lakes are Steven Spielberg, Tom Hanks, Martin Short, Cindy Crawford, Goldie Hawn, and Kurt Russell- thank you Wikipedia :)  

Lake Stoneleigh- a set fit for Hollywood

I came to Camp Tamarack to present at and participate in the "local" motorcycle adventurers' gathering, Horizons Unlimited, Ontario. Horizons Unlimited is an online and in-person community that connects travelers and adventurers from across the globe through the organization of small events. These events occur all over the world and are kept relatively small and intimate by design. This year's Ontario gathering attracted approximately 150-200 people.

My camp near the lake's shore

Although comfy and inexpensive cabin rentals were available, many attendees preferred to "rough it."

I was scheduled to make three presentations over the weekend. Two were for my product design and prototyping business, Journeyman Products. 

One was for my partner Jim and I's new upstart Adventure 4 Action which supports adventurers looking to use their journeys as a means to raise awareness for a cause. 

  

Overall, the presentations were successful and well received. Good discussions were had with new opportunities identified and meaningful connections formed. 

While the presentations and classes are always worthwhile at these events, the main attraction is the food- er, I mean people. Wait- not people AS food, although the prolific and insatiable mosquitoes sure had their feasts. What I mean is, that while being catered to with prepared meals is of course fantastic, meeting new adventuresome, like-minded people and sharing perspectives are the reasons we gather. And nothing gathers people at camp quite like a good fire.   

Dave, event organizer, imbibing a tasty cup of Armagnac, a distinctive, oak-aged, French Brandy   

Around these nightly fires, tales of great travels were told, food and drink shared, and bonds of friendship made. Cultural differences both local and abroad were discussed and language barriers often broke. Being in Canada, conversations in French could be commonly heard, but English, Spanish, German, and the "bad French" dialect of Quebecois were used and being translated among the community. There's something wildly entertaining about observing an Englishman with a thick accent conversing with a Frenchman via a Spanish fellow acting as translator. 

It was around such an evening's fire, and while I was relating the tale of my recent deer collision back in New York (if you missed it, read about it here), that I met new friends, Simon and May, from neighboring Quebec. As I concluded my tale with the discovery of my left side Highway Horn being lodged in the side of the dead deer, Simon pointed out that the name "Highway Horns" was no longer fitting. "They should be christened," he said, "The Impalers."  

Of course, HU is primarily a motorcycle event, and what is a motorcycle event without motorcycles? A few notables follow.  

Classic, early 90's airhead GS

The Red Rocketship's lovely brother in blue

S.M.A.R.T. Adventure Programs brought a trials bike

Oops! Nah- this was part of a demonstration on how to handle big adventure bikes. The instructor, Clinton Smout (bright yellow helmet with Garmin Vibe), is as personable, entertaining, and genuinely talented as they come.

_________________________________________________________________________

The Horizon's Unlimited event was scheduled to last from Thursday evening's dinner to Sunday's close at noon. Many participants were headed home and back to the daily routine. Others, like my partner Jim, were leaving HU to launch their Next Big Adventure. Needing time to recoop some of the energy spent over the long weekend, I decided to hang around an extra day and just explore the camp in solitude.

All of the campers had gone...

... and I had the loneliness of the lake to myself...

... to skinny dip...

... and explore...

... to walk among the quiet cabins...

... sit on the deserted docks...

... wrangle with my inner self while balancing on ropes and boards...

... bother the local wildlife...

... and be energetically restored to begin travelling once again.

Next up... the fourth and final installment of the HUON 2016 posts includes extended time with HU friends in Montreal, a near miss at being an accidental foreign terrorist, visiting an old friend in Vermont, and a visit to the best Italian eatery in Pennsylvania.