Burbank Actor Gets Spicy!
Nov 21, 2011
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| Daniel Samonas, Rose Ribbon Featured Artist |
Have you ever wondered what TV and movie actors do on their spare time? Surely some do absolutely nothing but shop in designer stores and hit every club on the Sunset strip, awaiting the next big break. Although that is the case for most, one Disney channel actor has found a more productive way to refine his creativity when off the set.
Burbank local, Daniel Samonas, who began acting at the age of 5 and modeling at 11, is best known for his recurring role as Selena Gomez’s former boyfriend on Wizards of Waverly Place, and his guest-star appearances on Entourage, Hannah Montana, CSI:New York, Without A Trace, iCarly, and Zoey 101. But when Samonas is not on the big screen playing in hit TV shows, he is expressing himself through the art of carpentry.
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| Samonas with co-star Selena Gomez |
Daniel grew up learning about wood crafting from his father, whose trade is carpentry. His strong curiosity and amazement of his father’s work influenced him to try it up as a hobby. “I’ve always had so much respect for him and his work, as well as his creativity and ability to visualize what he wants to shape or create,” says Samonas. Although Daniel performs the trade as a hobby, his father is completely supportive of his career path and passion for acting. “He knows it’s what I love to do,” adds Samonas.
Daniel started his own line of custom made spice racks from his company Freedom Wood Designs. The racks are customizable and make for great holiday gifts. Choose from two tier or three tier, Natural Cedar or Mahogany stain, and flat back for mounting on the wall or a lip back style to fit snugly on countertops. The racks hold between 12-18 bottles of spices and range from an affordable $31.99-$36.99. “I wanted to make something people would feel proud as giving as a gift,” says Samonas.
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| Two tier rack in mahogany |
The handmade spice racks were recently picked up by a Burbank gift website that sells handmade quality gifts, photography, and art, called Rose Ribbon. Although the website is based out of Burbank, the site features artists from all over the country. Samonas has just been released on their site as the new featured artist, and have all of his custom spice racks available for purchase. “I’m so grateful that Rose Ribbon has taken an interest in my work, which really did start out as a hobby,” says Samonas. “It has been quite an experience, and somewhat relaxing and therapeutic for me with the whirl wind of ideas, characters, and concepts non-stop in my head.”
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| Three tier rack in cedar |
You can watch Daniel in the upcoming and highly anticipated film, Brother’s Keeper, which has a release date for fall of 2012. Samonas who stars in the film, can be seen in the action packed trailer at www.brotherskeeperfilm.com. In the meantime, check out RoseRibbon.com for the star’s wood spice racks, and check back soon for new items from FreedomWood Designs.
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Madison Tattoo Shoppe
Nov 16, 2011
Burbank may not allow ink within its boundaries, but one North Hollywood tattoo shop made sure it’s doors were as close as it could get. Down the lovely Magnolia Blvd., just a couple of blocks past the Burbank border, lies Madison Tattoo Shoppe, owned by the famous and beautiful, Madison Stone. Stone and her business partner Dave Grinds opened up the shop five years ago. “I would’ve put it in Burbank because I love Burbank, live there, play there, and appreciate it there,” says Stone. “So I’m as close as you can get.”
While the yoga studio is next door, some have mistakenly walked into Madison’s shop ready to workout due to its calm nature and Japanese art and stylistic choices. Gorgeous artwork lines the earth green walls, colored lanterns hang from the ceiling, and the entire shop breathes peace and tranquility. “I am inspired by daily life great people, beautiful art, food that makes you make a sound once its in your mouth…the Great Wall of China, and how the Japanese get married in red dresses,” says Stone, whose personal illuminations reflect the shops style.
Madison Tattoo Shoppe has always been about good people, good karma, and good times. The spacious interior and allows for family and friends of the customers getting tattooed to enjoy comfortable sitting next to the artist working, a pool table, and an outside patio with seating and greenery. Stone plans on expanding the shop by adding the location next door and giving her shop even more space than it already has.
Each artist is known for their respectful personalities and unique characteristics. Upon entering the lobby, you can view each artist’s portfolio and choose a style that is just right for you. While Madison is the only female artist in the shop, all the men are welcoming, accommodating, and thrilled to tattoo each and every customer. Don’t be surprised to be greeted with an array of smiling hellos when entering. No matter what you are looking for, Madison Tattoo shop has it all: Black and grey, color, new school, old school, traditional and neo-traditional Japanese, as well as cosmetic tattooing and scar coverage.
Owner and tattoo artist, Madison Stone, received her first tattoo after moving to London straight out of high school in which she lived in a flat with four tattooed boys from Northern Ireland. “They were completely covered in tattoos and I could barely understand a word they said. I was completely intrigued,” adds Stone. “I immediately went and got tattooed in Camden Market by a guy named ‘Bugs’…I found it to be a great avenue of self expression for me.”
When Madison moved to Los Angeles, she began apprenticing to pierce and is now highly regarded as a Master Piercer with an actual piercing named after her. The Madison piercing goes through the skin at the front of the neck using a surface bar or flexible barbell style jewelry. When she first began tattooing, the ink world was stereotypically dominated by men. “I was looked down upon, talked down to. People didn’t think a woman could have the ability to be tough enough, take care of business, and live the life,” says Stone. Thirteen years later, Madison now owns her own shop and is an inspiration to female tattoo artists and business owners everywhere.
Location: 10500 Magnolia Blvd. North Hollywood, CA, 91601
Hours: Daily 11am-9pm
Phone: 818-760-0127
www.madisontattoo.com
www.facebook.com/madisontattooshop
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Crafting Garage Sale at Once Upon A Page
Nov 14, 2011
The store’s next upcoming event is their Customer In-Store Garage Sale which takes place a few times per year. The November 26th sale will be their first one since their move from Burbank Blvd. to Magnolia Blvd. earlier this year. Although the space is minimized, their spirit is not. The store plans on moving racks and aisles to accommodate as many tables they can fit inside the scrapbook store.
Read the entire article at Examiner.com
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Christmas is coming early at Bell Cottage
From 2-5pm a Brighton representative will be in the store showing off the new Christmas line. Deck your wrists with these gorgeous charms and bracelets in the shapes on bells, snowmen, angels, trees, and more.
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