Holiday Ice Sculptors Take The Cake

BY MARIE MCGOVERNDAILY NEWS STAFF WRITER
Sunday, December 30th 2007, 4:00 AM



"You'd be amazed at how flexible and delicate a chain saw can be," Shintaro Okamoto mused in a cavernous warehouse in Long Island City, Queens.


He doesn't mean that in a bad way.


Okamoto is one of many ice sculptors across the city working around the clock to create works of art that will disappear not long after the last New Year's Eve party straggler walks out the door.


The holiday party season is one of the busiest times of the year for ice sculptors. Warehouses, including Okamoto Studios in Long Island City, and other nondescript garages are filled with sculptors whose roaring chain saws chew into hunks of ice with the voracity of a Great White.

Ice sculptors are traditionally typecast as chain saw-wielding artists who create stately swans that swim along buffet tables of boiled shrimp and cheese cubes.


But like a black tie or a ball gown, an ice sculpture signals a special event.


"People still like the swans, even though I try to get them to be a bit more creative," said Henry Wallace of Empire Ice Carving in Long Island City.


"My goal is to get people to think of ice as a part of an event, just like the flowers," added Dawn Rella of Ice Sculpture Designs.


Rella, along with her brother Scott, have been running Ice Sculpture Designs, one of the area's oldest ice sculpting businesses, for 15 years. They still carve flocks of swans for weddings, but they also sculpt life-sized statues for movie premieres like "Ice Age" and have created menageries of animals for the Bronx Zoo.


Ice sculptors must be creative and pragmatic. They need the skills of an artist, the mind of an architect, an understanding of chemistry and a little knowledge of physics.


John Melton of Ice Miracles in Deer Park said the sculptors must know the properties of ice (including how quickly it melts), the setting of the sculpture, the length of the event and whether it will be indoors or outside.


Even the process of freezing water isn't as simple as it sounds. "You want to make sure the ice is clear for the sculpture," Okamoto said. "Cloudy ice weakens the structure."


Air bubbles in the water make ice cloudy. Professional ice machines slowly circulate water while it freezes, allowing trapped gases to escape.


And the ice must be warmed up before it can be carved. "If you go into it before it's acclimated, it will crack and implode," Okamoto said. "It's like pouring warm cola on ice cubes - they crack."
The best sculptors see beauty and potential in the medium of ice and speak of it with an almost mystical reverence.


"Just think about it: We're working with these very tough, masculine tools - chain saws, chisels, sanders and drills - and creating something that is inherently romantic," Okamoto said. "An ice sculpture is the perfect metaphor for special occasions. They're fleeting like those evenings - they last for one night only."


Ice Sculpture Designs
New York's Oldest and Most Prestigious Ice Sculpting Company!
866.877.3360 (toll free)
631.243.3360 (in NY)
www.icesculpturedesigns.com
dawn@icesculpturedesigns.com


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I run a moderate sized party planning firm in New York City. I've executed events from Westchester to the Hamptons. Each time I've used Ice Sculpture Designs services I'm impressed with their quality and quantity of offerings as well as the superior customer service I receive from Dawn Rella. Dawn is a class act, running a huge business as if it's a small shop dedicated customized attention to each of her clients. She's always ensured my clients are happy and as part of my arsenal it's integral to chose such vendors to keep my business live and thriving. Nice coverage Ice Sculpture Designs and Dawn Rella. Thanks for all your hard work!

How To Survive A Snow Day

A snow day! The decision is handed down, classes are cancelled, you face a day without child care for your kids and, baby, it’s cold outside. For those who live where a snow day is rare, and a survival plan not in place, it can be a test of your parental patience as your children celebrate and you brood over how to get work done, enforce snow safety and keep warm, all at the same time. Don’t be a downer—follow these steps to learn how to survive a snow day, and even smile.

Things You'll Need:

• Cocoa


• Cell phones


• Winter clothing


• Laptop computer


• Games


• Sleds


• Good neighbors


• Cookies for eyes


• Puzzles


• Carrots for noses

Step One

Be happy for your kids. A snow day is a meteorological miracle that can create memories to last a lifetime. You don’t want those memories to include a scowling mom or passive-aggressive pop. Make your first response a happy one before diving into practical details.

Step Two

Deal with work issues out of earshot—call in “sick,” see if meetings are cancelled and work from home if possible. Some small businesses and government offices may be closed if schools are shut.

Step Three

Drag out the winter gear so the snow day can be about playing outside. Save movies and video games for when they’ve had their fill of snow.

Step Four

Go over the rules. Snow can be dangerous or wonderful. Supervision is key.

Step Five

Get out there and play. Shock your children with your enthusiasm. Build a snowman, start a snowball fight, break out the sleds (or get innovative with trashcan lids or plastic garbage bags), take the dog out to enjoy the snow or lie down and make an angel.

Step Six

Suspend your strict adherence to healthy eating guidelines. Snow days are traditionally filled with hot cocoa, popcorn, potato chips and brownies—or maybe that’s just my house. Check out the cupboards for yummy treats to make while the kids play.

Step Seven

Whistle while you work. Taking on a festive mood will help you survive the never-ending task of dressing and undressing small kids, mopping up wet puddles and fixing twisted mittens. For parents with preteens or teens, a snow day can mean a steady stream of kids coming in and out to use the bathroom and stock up on calories, earning you emotional bank account deposits with your kids to ease you over grouchy days.

Step Eight

Position yourself with work you can do from home where you can see the kids out the window. Keeping one eye on the kids while working can give you the peace of mind to actually get work done.

Step Nine

Give up attempting productivity as cabin fever sets in. Put on a video, take a bath or play with the kids. Everyone else is at home doing the same thing.

Tips & Warnings

• Before considering a sitter if you must go to work, call around your parenting network to find an available at-home parent who can provide supervision and playmates during the snow day. Give the at-home parent extra dollars to pay for snacks and entertainment (or provide some from your stash), so your kids can have a great snow day without the other parent having to provide everything.



• Consider moving your desktop if the snow will last for days. If a snowbound family is in your future, it might be worth it to move a computer or other accouterments to keep your peace of mind, and a view of your kids out the window.



• When you can’t move your desktop, use a cell phone to keep in touch. Call your kids periodically to check on snowman progress, the number of kids gathering on the street and safety.



• When you can’t see your kids, call a neighbor to keep watch. Many people end up at home during a snow day and enjoy the sight of children at play. Getting the village involved in watching the kids helps bring neighbors together, and ensures more eyes watching out for trouble.



• Tire out both small children and large ones early in the snow day, going outside to play with them if necessary. A tired child can be plopped down in front of the television so you can get something done.



• When the weather outside is frightful, encourage indoor activities that generally don’t rise to the top of the attraction list. Board games, art projects and puzzles are perfect for snow days, when long stretches of open time are suddenly available without prior plans.
  Bribe the kids for good behavior. If you will go mad mopping up another puddle, make sure you don’t have to. Pay top dollar for a tidy pile of snow gear, a dry floor and uninterrupted work time. Add bonuses for a clean kitchen, a vacuumed floor and spotless pet cages.



• Don’t get fired, but don’t kill yourself either. Pay attention to driving safety before taking to the roads. Your employer doesn’t want you to crash either. Make sure you have chains, warm blankets, flares, a well-charged cell phone and a flashlight.



• Don’t send the kids outside if their extremities will freeze or if they don't have adequate gear.

Ice Sculpture Designs
New York's Oldest and Most Prestigious Ice Sculpting Company!
866.877.3360 (toll free)
631.243.3360 (in NY)
www.icesculpturedesigns.com
dawn@icesculpturedesigns.com

(Contributions by eHow.com)

Tips for a Magical Winter Wedding

In the movies, everyone seems to get married in June. But a winter wedding can be terribly glamorous, cinematic and magical. With the right elements, your winter wedding will be a wonderland.

Attire for Your Winter Wedding

Think about you and your sweetie in the elegant look of old Hollywood; the groom in tails, and the bride in a white long silk dress with a white fur or faux fur wrap. Evoke the season with "ice" –diamond or diamond-like jewelry. 90% of wedding dresses are strapless or sleeveless, but that's not so practical for a bride who wants to take pictures outside, or needs to walk any distance. Look for wraps, shrugs, and capes, or dramatic coats. I've always loved the look of a bride in a white dress and a large red shawl, huddled against her groom who has a red boutonnière.

And don't forget your bridesmaids! An attractive wrap to wear on the day of your wedding and beyond makes a great bridesmaid present.

Where to Have a Winter Wedding

Look for an inn with a fireplace for an intimate winter wedding. For a larger affair, you may be able to use a historic mansion or private club that will still have intimate warmth. Unless you're getting married in a state that will have guaranteed snow during your wedding date, avoid a room that has a large picture window. You may imagine drifts of beautiful snow, and end up with a grey rainy day. Be sure to ask what seasonal decorations they use – you'll save money as many sites are already heavily decorated. Also, check to make sure your site will be adequately heated during the winter months; old churches can be especially drafty.

Planning the Menu

You can have all of your favorite food but add some winter touches like a squash dish, or warm pumpkin soup. Consider serving eggnog, spiced wine, or hot chocolate (alcoholic or non-) as special treats. Look for an all-white cake, decorated with snowflake patterns, silver embellishments, or sugar sculptures. Ask your caterer about using a decorative snow globe as a cake topper.

Winter Wedding Flowers

Decide whether you want to go for a silver and white elegant look, or celebrate the season with reds and greens. For those who like silver, look for dusty miller, silver-dollar eucalyptus, and baby blue eucalyptus, mixed with white flowers such as roses, football mums, crocus, lilies and stephanotis. If you're looking for a brighter bouquet, consider red roses with holly and pine-tree greenery. In season flowers such as tulips, roses, and ornamental berries generally will be less expensive choices. (Talk to your florist, as your region may have different availability.)
Consider a flower vase in ice to hold your greenery.

Contact Ice Sculpture Designs, the tri-state's leading purveyor of ice sculptures at 631.243.3360 for a custom quote.

The Décor for Your Winter Wedding

Decorate your tables with simple and inexpensive white poinsettias, or fill the room with light by arranging pillar candles on a bed of pine branches.

A fire and ice display is also an elegant addition to your décor. Contact Ice Sculpture Designs, the tri-state's leading purveyor of ice sculptures at 631.243.3360 for a custom quote.

Favors

If you and most of your guests celebrate Christmas, an ornament makes a perfect favor. An inexpensive homemade favor is a pretty tin of spiced hot chocolate mix or hot cocoa. Also consider a snow globe, with a bride and groom inside, or a holiday cookie cutter with a cookie recipe attached that says your names, wedding date, and "truly cut out for each other".

Special touches

• Have the bride and groom travel by horse and carriage to the reception, complete with a fur throw to keep them warm of course!
• Decorate the reception with miniature and life-size Christmas trees.
• Commission an ice sculpture to decorate the reception hall.
• Use a crystal bouquet for that extra wintery feel. As a bonus, you'll get to keep your your bouquet forever.
• Greet your guests with warm coffee or hot chocolate as soon as they come in the ceremony or reception site.

Ice Sculpture Designs
New York's Oldest and Most Prestigious Ice Sculpting Company!
866.877.3360 (toll free)
631.243.3360 (in NY)
http://www.icesculpturedesigns.com/
dawn@icesculpturedesigns.com

(Contributions by Nina Callaway)

7 Ideas for Corporate Holiday Parties

1. VENUE: Big Spaces for Big Parties These new large venues are ideal spots for big corporate holiday parties: LQ, a modern-looking Midtown nightclub, can hold 1,200 for receptions inside its 15,000-square-feet space. It offers two VIP sections and three bars. Avalon, a 20,000-square-foot retro-looking club in the former Limelight space, can hold 1,750 for cocktails. It offers nine separate rooms, each with its own look. New Age-y Spirit in Chelsea, scheduled to open in late November, will offer 38,000 square feet in three rooms: Mind offers tarot readings and chakra balancing, Soul is an organic food restaurant and Body is a 15,000-square-foot dance floor and performance space. And Crobar, slated to open in early December, will be an Art Deco space in Chelsea with 31,000 square feet, three VIP areas and space for 2,500.

2. FOOD: Eat a House For a mouth-watering centerpiece this holiday season, try Red Envelope's gingerbread house. The freshly baked house is frosted and decked with an assortment of sweets, including candy canes, holiday candy corn, gingerbread men, and other sweet holiday treats. To top it all off, the house can be personalized with a company logo or special message. Cost is $55, including personalizing.

3. ENTERTAINMENT: End on a High Note Entertain everyone with a year-in-review musical revue. The Tribute Company poses a singer on stage as an executive to congratulate the guests on the year’s successes. As a holiday tune interrupts the speaker, the waiters get in on the act and all the performers commemorate the company’s year in song.

4. DECOR: 'Tis the Season to Decorate with Ice Why spend your budget on bland decorations when you can have your corporate logo or other customized message engraved in ice. With thousands of hand-carved options that meet and beat budgets at multiple price points, Ice Sculpture Designs is the tri-state's leading purveyer of elegant ice sculptures. Call Dawn at 631.243.3360 or visit http://www.icesculpturedesigns.com/.

5. CATERING: Make Them Feel Like Family Get employees talking—even if it’s just to say “pass the pasta”—by serving a family-style meal at a company holiday party. Thomas Preti Caterers suggests using long, banquet-style tables and serving large dishes of holiday fare like risotto with mussels and lobster fra diavolo. Prices start at $150 per person.

6. SPIRIT: Picture-Perfect Employees How to make employees feel involved in the party? Event producer Jes Gordon suggests putting their pictures in acrylic photo cubes of varying sizes and shapes and pairing them with dozens of twinkling votive candles. The photo cubes—available at Sam Flax for $11 to $15—can double as gifts.

7. FLOWERS: Stop and Smell the Evergreens Getting everyone into the holiday mood can be as simple as a bringing in the right flower arrangements. Plaza Flowers' holiday bouquets start with beds of dark green evergreens such as blue spruce and adds pine cones, scarlet red amaryllis blooms and roses.

Ice Sculpture Designs

New York's Oldest and Most Prestigious Ice Sculpting Company!

866.877.3360 (toll free)

631.243.3360 (in NY)

http://www.icesculpturedesigns.com/

dawn@icesculpturedesigns.com

Welcome to Ice Sculpture Designs Party & Event Planning Tips!

The season is upon us... many of you are probably hitting the supermarkets today and tomorrow to stock up on all the Thanksgiving essentials. I thought I'd open this blog with some tips for making your Thanksgiving Dinner event as special as it can be.

The Setting

It's so easy to decorate for Thanksgiving. You can make a gorgeous centerpiece using items from around your house. Use a basket filled with gourds, fallen leaves, Indian corn, pinecones, corn husks, squash and mini pumpkins. You can also use these things to decorate your home. A few well placed mini pumpkins do wonders to set the mood for Thanksgiving.

The Table

Make sure you have clearly marked placecards for each person, so they know where to sit. Also, be sure to leave enough room on the table for all your serving dishes. It's a good idea to have extra chairs handy for any surprise guests who show up.

Consider a dazzling ice sculpture which can also be a functional addition to your food service. In the New York Metro area? Contact Ice Sculpture Designs for some custom ideas at 631.243.3360 or visit www.icesculpturedesigns.com.

Meal Preparation Tips

Preparing a complete Thanksgiving meal can be quite a task, but with proper preparation ahead of time, you should be able to pull it off without a hitch. First, write down your menu and make a shopping list. Just in case, buy a little more of each item, so you won't be stuck with having too little of something on Thanksgiving day and all the stores are closed. Do your shopping a couple days ahead of time to beat the inevitable last minute rush of Thanksgiving Eve. Make sure you have plenty of room in your kitchen and refrigerator and freezer to hold all the food you'll buy. You'll want to begin preparation of your dishes on Thanksgiving Eve unless you want to get up very early. Make sure you pay special attention to what needs to be done to the turkey. Hopefully, it's not frozen, but if it is, you can put it in the kitchen sink with lukewarm water and just keep changing the water every hour or so to hasten the thawing. For other dishes, prepare as much as you can ahead of time. You can usually make many side dishes and desserts completely ahead of time.

Backup Meal Plans

Your turkey will probably turn out ok, or at least edible, but if it doesn't, make sure to have an alternate available. Some good choices would be a ham, pot roast, a salmon or other fish.

Choices

It's a good idea to call each of your guests well ahead of time to make sure you won't be getting any surprises, like your brother's 15 year old has just turned vegetarian and won't be able to eat the turkey. Make sure to have plenty of something that a vegetarian would not have a problem with. I've found vegetarians are often happy with some really tasty side dishes like mashed potatoes, green beans, bread and a salad. Though, a Tofurky would be a good choice to have if there are multiple vegetarians coming over. Don't forget others with special food requirements, such as allergies, diabetics, low sodium diets etc.

Outsourcing

Outsourcing isn't just for tech companies! To make your day easier, consider outsourcing a portion of the meal. Have a guest or two bring over a side dish or appetizer. Or consider buying the dessert. A few pumpkin pies from your local bakery topped with whipped cream would work just fine and I bet no one would know the difference!

Entertainment

After the meal, some guests may go home, while most others will opt to stay for a while. Football and basketball games will be plentiful on TV, but what about those not into watching sports? Have some board games on hand as well as party games that involve many players.

Conversation

One of the main points of the holiday season is to bring family and friends together to catch up and enjoy each other's company. Make it easy to have conversations in your home. Make sure you have some quiet areas and plenty of seating to make conversation easy.

The Kids

If you're going to be having multiple kids at your gathering, you need to be prepared for their needs. Make sure the kids have a separate table or are seated next to adults that will supervise them. After the meal, have games and activities especially for them, or have family games that can involve children.

Prepare For Emergencies

No, not a natural disaster or even a medical emergency, it's not nearly as bad as those but it certainly has the potential to ruin your holiday. I'm talking about the dreaded toilet back up. The last thing you want is to be stuck cleaning up that kind of mess when you're supposed to be preparing food. Make sure you have a plunger and some Drano or Liquid Plumber on hand in the bathroom that the guests will use. When and if it happens, you'll be very glad you prepared for it. Trust me! Follow these tips and you should be one step closer to a safer, happier Thanksgiving holiday.


Ice Sculpture Designs
New York's Oldest and Most Prestigious Ice Sculpting Company!
866.877.3360 (toll free)
631.243.3360 (in NY)
www.icesculpturedesigns.com
dawn@icesculpturedesigns.com


(Party tips courtesy of Lydia Quinn)